20 Facts About Oriental Cockroaches in Kentucky

1. Common Name: Often called “water bugs” in Kentucky due to their preference for damp areas, though they are true cockroaches.
2. Appearance: Shiny, dark brown to black with a flattened oval body. Adults grow up to 1 to 1.25 inches long.
3. Wing Differences: Males have wings that cover about ¾ of their abdomen. Females have very short, rudimentary wings and cannot fly.
4. Flightless: Despite having wings, Oriental cockroaches do not fly—they rely entirely on crawling.
5. Preferred Habitat: Thrive in cool, damp, and dark environments such as crawlspaces, basements, drains, sewers, and under mulch or debris.
6. Seasonal Activity: Most noticeable in Kentucky spring through early summer, when populations move indoors for food or drier shelter.
7. Slow Movers: Compared to other cockroaches, they are slower and less agile—but still efficient at hiding.
8. Moisture Dependence: Oriental roaches are highly dependent on moisture. A leaky pipe or damp basement is like paradise to them.
9. Feeding Habits: Feed on decaying organic matter, trash, sewage, and crumbs. They prefer starch-heavy or sugary materials.
10. Odor Production: Known for a strong, musty odor, especially when infestations are large. This odor is due to secretions from their bodies.
11. Reproduction: Females produce oothecae (egg cases) that contain about 16 eggs each. These are dropped in hidden locations.
12. Egg Resilience: Egg cases are resistant to many pesticides and can hatch weeks later if not physically removed.
13. Development Time: Nymphs can take up to a year to become adults depending on conditions, making long-term control essential.
14. Nocturnal Behavior: Primarily active at night—if you see them during the day, the infestation may be severe.
15. Cold Tolerance: More tolerant of cooler temperatures than German cockroaches, which is why they’re common in basements and crawlspaces in Kentucky homes.
16. Can Enter from Outdoors: Often move indoors from flowerbeds, mulch, woodpiles, or through foundation cracks and basement windows.
17. Poor Climbers: Unlike some roaches, Oriental cockroaches struggle to climb smooth vertical surfaces like glass or tile.
18. Notorious for Sewer Invasions: Commonly travel up drains, pipes, and sewer lines—especially in older Kentucky buildings.
19. Health Risk: Can spread bacteria, pathogens, and allergens, contaminating food and surfaces they crawl over.
20. Control Requires Moisture Management: The key to control is reducing moisture—fixing leaks, improving ventilation, and drying out damp areas.

Bonus Tip: Oriental Cockroach Control in Kentucky

• Eliminate standing water, fix leaks, and run dehumidifiers in basements.
• Seal up cracks, gaps, and utility entry points around your home’s foundation.
• Use residual insecticides in basements, under sinks, and along plumbing lines.
• Place bait stations and sticky traps near damp areas to monitor activity.
• Call a professional—Four Seasons Pest Solutions offers specialized cockroach treatments that target the full life cycle, including hidden egg cases and cryptic harborage zones.