The American Cockroach is usually the one seen when people brag about some "huge" roach they spotted. It can reach a body length of around two inches, and occasionally more. It has a reddish-brown color. The American cockroach lives in city sewer systems, ship holds, basements, and commercial food preparation areas.

Cockroaches are considered general feeders-just about anything organic can become their next meal. They are primarily active at night, often seen scattering as you turn on a kitchen light. They are especially fond of any food crumbs that are left behind, so good basic housekeeping is one real deterrent.

The ability of cockroaches to transmit diseases seems to be highly over-rated, but they are mechanically capable of spreading some disease organisms such as the dysentery bacteria.

The female lays an egg case, containing about 15 eggs, near a food source. They also need to be left in a warm, damp environment. One egg case can be produced every week. The eggs hatch in 32-58 days, and then go through up to thirteen instars. The life cycle is an average of 600 days, with most adults living well over a year. Some have lived for almost four years!