DESCRIPTION: When disturbed, may run rapidly and adults may fly. Females are
wingless, and males have wings. Unlike other pest cockroaches, oriental
cockroaches cannot climb up smooth surfaces (they lack sticky pads on their
feet). Immature cockroaches resemble adults except that they are wingless.
Habitat Oriental cockroaches generally live in moist areas, but can survive in dry
areas if they have access to water. They prefer cooler temperatures around 75
degrees Fahrenheit and can overwinter in protected areas outdoors where
temperatures average 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. These cockroaches are common
in basements, crawl spaces, cracks and crevices of porches, foundations, and
walkways adjacent to buildings. They feed on a wide variety of plant and animal
material.
Life Cycle Females produce egg cases and carry them protruding from the tip of the
abdomen for about two days. Egg cases are then generally glued to a surface in a
hidden location. Egg cases are 3/8 inch long, brown, and purse shaped. Immature
cockroaches emerge from egg cases in 6 to 8 weeks and require 6 to 12 months to
mature. Adult cockroaches can live up to one year, during which females produce
an average of 150 young.