Yes. Cockroach droppings, saliva, and shed skin contain allergens that can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions, especially in children and people with respiratory issues.

Seeing more roaches right after treatment is common. The pesticides flush them out of hiding, and as they move around more, they come into contact with the poison and die off over the next few days.

Roaches prefer dark, moist areas like under sinks, behind refrigerators and stoves, inside cabinets, under floor drains, and in wall voids or cracks near water sources.

Normally, no — roaches are nocturnal. If you’re seeing them in daylight, it likely means their hiding spots are overcrowded and there’s a heavy infestation.

Roaches can live about a month without food but only around a week without water. That’s why eliminating moisture sources is just as important as cutting off access to food.

A single roach might let itself be seen inside a home or business, but it is highly unlikely to be the only one around. 

Roaches are primarily active at night and avoid open areas that are illuminated. They rarely live alone and have evolved to infest areas with food and shelter as a large breeding group.  If you see a single roach during the daytime, it likely means that its nest has grown to be large and crowded and it is moving around in search of a better hiding place or just more room.

Seeing one roach is no reason to panic, but it does indicate that a professional inspection and advice are needed ASAP.

Yes, cockroaches are capable of biting humans. The American Cockroach is more apt to do so than other species and has a particularly strong bite force. But the good news is, it's a rare occurrence. Cockroaches are not aggressive. When a bite happens, it is usually in a heavily-infested home, most likely while the person is sleeping. It's not because they view you as food but because you smell like something you've eaten. So, if you are prone to snacking in bed, eating in your pajamas, or don't brush your teeth before bedtime, you are increasing the likelihood of being bitten.

Roaches sometimes get inside despite our best efforts, but there are steps you can take to avoid them. Keep your home clean and decluttered, your trash covered tightly, and your food supplies in impenetrable containers. Don't keep newspapers or cardboard boxes, and check those boxes that come via delivery. Eliminate accessible water sources. The more you reduce attractants, the more you'll reduce the likelihood of infestation. Scent deterrents like natural peppermint oil may also help. And despite the temptation, avoid DIY bug bombs, which don't work well and can be a health hazard to humans.  

Many insects look alarmingly like cockroaches. Crickets look similar but are darker in color and make a distinctive chirping sound. June Bugs also look like roaches, but they are stockier and have a more arched, rounded body. Giant Water Bugs are often misidentified as roaches but are typically larger and usually only found around water. Many beetles can also be mistaken for cockroaches, such as the Asian Long-horned Beetle, which you can differentiate by its black coloring, white spots, and extremely long antennae that circle its body. Whenever you aren't sure, asking a pest control professional to identify the insect is your best bet.

The life cycle of a common pest like a cockroach typically begins with an egg stage. Female cockroaches lay oothecae (egg cases) containing multiple eggs. After a few weeks, nymphs hatch from the eggs. Nymphs go through several molting stages, shedding their exoskeletons as they grow. The nymphs gradually develop into adult cockroaches. The entire life cycle from egg to adult can take several months, depending on the species and environmental conditions. Cockroaches are highly adaptable and can survive in various habitats. They prefer dark, damp, and warm environments with access to food and water. Regular cleaning and eliminating food sources are essential for effective cockroach control since they can rapidly reproduce and become a nuisance if left unchecked. 

Roaches can enter through cracks, drains, vents, and even by hitching a ride on bags, boxes, or used furniture.

Not every species invades houses—some prefer outdoor habitats, while others are notorious for indoor infestations.

Cockroaches are resilient pests that reproduce quickly, adapt to treatments, and survive in tough conditions.

Food crumbs, moisture, and warmth make these areas the most common hotspots for roaches.

Yes, roaches can contaminate surfaces with bacteria, contributing to illnesses such as food poisoning and gastrointestinal issues.

Yes. A clean home is less attractive to cockroaches, but cleanliness alone can't prevent an infestation. German cockroaches can be brought inside in grocery bags, boxes, furniture, deliveries, and other items. In apartments, townhomes, and other multi-unit buildings, they can also travel between units through shared walls and openings.

Seeing small cockroach nymphs usually means cockroaches are reproducing somewhere nearby. German cockroach nymphs hatch from egg cases and remain close to areas that provide food, water, warmth, and shelter. Finding multiple nymphs is a strong reason to have the area inspected rather than waiting for the problem to become more established.

Yes. In multi-unit buildings, German cockroaches can move between neighboring spaces through adjoining walls, ceilings, utility openings, and other small passageways. This can make infestations harder to eliminate if cockroaches continue entering from another part of the building.

Cockroach eggs are protected inside a capsule called an ootheca, or egg case. The appearance varies by species. German cockroach egg cases are small and brownish, and females typically carry them until shortly before the eggs hatch. One German cockroach egg case can contain dozens of eggs.

The cockroaches you see are only part of an infestation. Others may be hiding behind appliances, inside cabinets, around plumbing, or in wall voids. Egg cases and immature cockroaches may also remain behind. In multi-unit buildings, new cockroaches can enter from neighboring areas, which is why effective control focuses on the entire infestation rather than only killing visible roaches.