German cockroach (Blattella germanica), American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), Australian cockroach (P. australiasiae), Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) and brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa)

Range: Most species living indoors and out occur in the southern U.S., but they are also found invading homes in the northern U.S.

Habitat: Of the five species, the one that has the greatest potential of becoming persistent and troublesome is the German cockroach, which prefers indoor locations. American, Australian and Oriental cockroaches occasionally pose problems in moist, humid areas. Cockroaches may become pests in homes, restaurants, hospitals, warehouses, offices and any structure that has food preparation or storage areas. American and Australian cockroaches often come into contact with pet droppings or human excrement and have the potential to vector disease.

Health risks: They contaminate food and eating utensils, destroy fabric and paper products and impart stains and unpleasant odors to surfaces they contact. Cockroaches may transmit bacteria that cause food poisoning (Salmonella spp.and Shigella spp.). German cockroaches are believed capable of transmitting disease-causing organisms such as Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., hepatitis virus and coliform bacteria. They also have been implicated in the spread of typhoid and dysentery. Some people, especially those with asthma, are sensitive to the allergens produced by these cockroaches.

Management: Insecticides, such as Talstar® Professional insecticide, are most effective when combined with sanitation and exclusion practices that limit the cockroach's ability to establish or reinvade; chemical control alone will not solve the problem. Ifinsecticides are used, they must always be used with extreme care. Indoor chemical control is warranted only if the cockroach population is established, but not for an incidental intruder or two.