Oriental
cockroach
Blatta orientalis
The shiny, nearly black cockroach of cool, damp places: cellars, drains and under floors. Slower than the others, and it needs moisture.
- Size
- Medium
- Colour
- Shiny dark brown to black
- Lives
- Cool, damp cellars, drains, under floors
- Active
- At night, often in cooler months too
How to tell it apart
Nearly black and shiny
Darker than every other house cockroach.
Short wings
Males have wings shorter than the body; females only have stubs.
Not the American
The American cockroach is reddish and much longer, with full wings.
Signs you have them
- Seen on the ground floor or in the cellar, rarely high up.
- Damp spots: around drains, leaking pipes and under sinks.
- A strong musty smell in enclosed damp areas.
- Egg cases dropped in sheltered, moist corners.
The plan
- 1
Dry it out
Fix leaks, ventilate, use a dehumidifier in the cellar.
- 2
Close the way in
Seal gaps at floor level, around pipes and drains.
- 3
Bait at floor level
Bait stations along walls near damp spots.
- 4
Track it
Monitor traps on the floor, checked weekly.
Solutions for the oriental cockroach
Bait stations
Closed stations for drains, basements and entry points.
Regulated in many countries. Read the label before you buy or use it.
Opens Google Maps. Call first to check they have it.
Gap and crack sealant
Closes the gaps behind sinks and along pipes.
Opens Google Maps. Call first to check they have it.
Monitor traps
Check them weekly to track progress.
Opens Google Maps. Call first to check they have it.
Shoo does not sell these yet. They are standard products sold by other shops; follow the label on the one you buy.
What people worry about
Shiny black cockroaches near the drain. Should I worry?
They come from cool, damp places like drains and cellars, so the fix is drying out and closing the way in. They are slower than other species and need moisture to survive.
Will bleach down the drain kill them?
Not reliably. Drain covers, fixing leaks and bait stations at floor level near damp spots work better.
Do they mean my home is dirty?
No. They follow damp, not dirt. A leak or a damp cellar is enough to draw them in.
How do I know the plan is working?
Put monitor traps on the floor near the damp spots and check them weekly. Fewer catches over a few weeks means it is working.