How Large Do Cockroaches Get?

Cockroaches can grow quite large in size. One species is the American cockroach, which can reach up to 2 inches in length. They are reddish-brown in color with yellowish bands on the thorax and wings. They can fly short distances and rarely bite humans. Nevertheless, if a bite is infected, it should be treated immediately.

American cockroaches produce eggs inside their bodies. They deposit these egg capsules from the ends of their abdomens. The female cockroach secretes saliva to glue the egg cases in place. This may explain why you may see large deposits of dark-brown capsules sticking to the walls. Brown-banded cockroaches, on the other hand, are smaller. Their eggs are round, flat, and light-colored.

Oriental cockroaches are larger than American cockroaches, but smaller than German cockroaches. They grow to be about an inch long and have wings that cover 3/4 of their bodies. They are known to be cold-hardy and inhabit urban environments. They feed on decaying organic matter.

While there are over a thousand species of cockroaches, only a few are considered pests in North Carolina. However, you may not be aware of these species unless you’ve encountered them in your home.