American Cockroaches in Athens, GA
The American cockroach, often called a water bug or palmetto bug, is the largest cockroach that infests homes, reaching up to 2 1/8 inches long with fully developed reddish-brown wings. Despite its name, it is not native to North America and was likely introduced from Africa via ships. It is now found throughout the United States and ranks second only to the German cockroach in abundance. Adults can live up to one year, and females produce about 150 offspring in their lifetime. It is also frequently referred to by many less polite names.
American Cockroach Habitat
Preferring warm, damp environments, the American cockroach is commonly found outdoors around drains, garbage bins, trees, and woodpiles. In natural settings, it lives in hollow trees and bat caves, but in urban areas, it is often found in sewers, storm drainage systems, prisons, factories, hospitals, and hotels. When it enters homes in search of food, it typically hides in damp areas such as basements, garages, kitchens, and bathrooms. As an omnivorous scavenger, it eats decaying organic matter and almost anything else it finds, including sweets, paper, pet food, soap, hair, fruit, cardboard, cloth, book bindings, and dead insects.
American Cockroach Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
American cockroaches can bite, though they rarely do. They are considered dangerous pests because they breed and feed in unsanitary environments close to people, such as garbage storage areas, sewage systems, and septic tanks. These cockroaches produce a distinct odor when present and can contaminate food and surfaces with their feces and body parts. As they forage, they may spread germs and bacteria and even trigger asthma attacks in individuals sensitive to cockroach allergens. If an infestation is suspected, contact a professional cockroach exterminator.
