Cockroaches multiply fast, contaminate food, and are a leading indoor allergy and asthma trigger. A daytime sighting usually means a much larger hidden population.
Oval, flattened bodies, long antennae, and a fast, darting run. German roaches (small, tan) and American roaches (large, reddish-brown) are most common — along with Oriental cockroaches: larger, dark brown to black, and often called "water bugs" for their love of cool, damp areas like basements, drains, and crawl spaces.
What attracts them: Grease, food debris, warmth, moisture, and clutter — especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Oriental cockroaches are especially drawn to moisture, drains, and decaying organic matter.
Any daytime sighting, droppings, or egg cases — roaches resist store-bought sprays and spread between rooms and units quickly.
