Identification
You can recognize it by its glossy black to very dark brown colour and its stocky body. The male has short wings that do not cover the whole abdomen and the female is practically wingless; neither one flies. It moves slowly, close to the floor, in cool, damp areas.
A fan of cool and damp
The Oriental cockroach prefers cool, damp places (basements, drains, sump pits). Its presence often signals excess moisture or a drainage problem.
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AGlossy black body
Glossy black to very dark brown colouring, stocky, quite different from the light brown of the German cockroach.
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BReduced wings
Short wings on the male, almost absent on the female; the species does not fly.
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CSlow movement along the floor
Climbs smooth surfaces poorly; often ends up stuck in sinks and bathtubs.
Adult
Glossy black adult; the female deposits her oothecae in cool, damp areas near water sources.
Life cycle
Hemimetabolous · 3 stagesEggs enclosed in a dark brown capsule deposited near a source of moisture.
Blackish wingless young; development is slower in cool conditions, over several months.
Adult living about six months; stays close to the floor in damp areas.
Do not confuse
Confused with the other household cockroaches.
Signs of activity
Black cockroaches in the basement
Glossy black cockroaches moving slowly along the floor, near drains, sump pits and foundation walls.
Trapped in sinks and bathtubs
Individuals stuck at the bottom of sinks or bathtubs, unable to climb back up the smooth sides.
Unpleasant odour
A marked musty odour in the infested areas, stronger than with the other species.
The Oriental cockroach depends on moisture: correcting the water sources is the key to control.
Treatment
Boric acid bait
- 1 tsp Boric acid Slow-acting agent, ingested during grooming
- 1 tsp Sugar Draws cockroaches to the bait
- Mix the boric acid and the sugar with a little water to form a paste.
- Place it along damp baseboards, near drains and sump pits, out of reach of children and pets.
Repair leaks and water infiltration and ventilate the basement; without moisture, the species does not survive.
Clean and cover the drains and sump pits; keep the traps filled with water.
A persistent basement infestation justifies professional treatment combined with drying out the space.
Find the source
Follow the moisture to the lowest point
Search at night near drains, sump pits, foundation walls and areas of water infiltration.
Find the leaks, condensation and dry traps that attract and feed the colony.
Correct the moisture and place the baits along the damp travel routes.
Prevention
- Control the moisture
Ventilate, dehumidify and repair water infiltration in the basement and crawl spaces.
Moisture - Maintain drains and sump pits
Cover the drains, keep the traps filled and clean out the sump pits.
Plumbing - Caulk the base of the walls
Seal foundation cracks and pipe penetrations near the floor.
Envelope - Basement hygiene
Avoid any build-up of damp organic matter (soaked cardboard, debris).
Cleanliness
Frequently asked questions
How do I recognize the Oriental cockroach?
A black or very dark brown cockroach, glossy and stocky (Blatta orientalis); the female has very reduced wings. It is nicknamed the sewer roach.
Where is it found?
Cool, damp places: basements, drains, crawl spaces, pipes. It tolerates cold better than the other cockroaches.
Is it dangerous?
It does not bite but it gives off an unpleasant odour and contaminates surfaces; it is associated with damp, unsanitary areas.
How do I eliminate it?
Reduce the moisture, repair the leaks and seal the pipe entries. A targeted treatment by an exterminator settles the infestation at the source.