Common Cockroach Species

There are over 4,000 different species of cockroaches, which only about 40 species are considered pests while others are beneficial in their natural environment.

In Malaysia, German cockroach and American cockroach are commonly found. Check out the differences between these cockroaches below:

Knowing more about cockroach life cycle and habits can help us identify the most effective cockroach control methods. You can learn more in details about the types of cockroaches in Malaysia here:

German cockroach

(Blattella germanica)

Habits

Major pest in restaurants, hotels and apartments.
Prefers dark and secluded areas to harbourage such as under the cupboard and behind a refrigerator.

Appearance

Adult is 13 – 16 mm in length.
Pronotum (head shield) has 2 dark longitude stripes.
Male is light yellowish brown in colour with longer tongue shaped body.
Female is darker in colour with plump abdomen.

Lifecycle

Female produces about 5 ootheca (egg case), each ootheca contains 30 – 40 eggs.
Nymphs take 30 – 60 days to mature into adults.
Adult life cycle is more than 100 days.

American cockroach

(Periplaneta americana)

Habits

Prefers warm and humid environment such as drains and sewers.

Appearance

Adult is 34 – 53 mm in length, one of the largest pest cockroaches.
Shining red to chocolate brown in colour.

Lifecycle

Female produces 10 – 90 oothecae (egg case), each oothecae contain 14 – 28 eggs.
Nymphs take 150 days to develop into adults.
Adult life cycle is 100 days to 3 years.