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Step 1
Size up the insect. Cockroaches are medium to large insects with broad, flat bodies and long antennae.
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Step 2
Look for wings. Once cockroaches have matured, they develop thin, membrane-like wings. Not seeing wings? It might be a nymph, which is a younger, less mature cockroach that has not yet developed wings.
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Step 3
Identify the species. The insect might be a German cockroach if you found it inside. The German cockroach likes warm, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms and frequently shows up in multi-family dwellings like apartment buildings. Find it in the basement or near water drains? It might be an oriental cockroach, a species that likes cooler, wetter places. Find your cockroach in the attic or in your garage? It might be the smoky brown cockroach; nymphs of this species sometimes have white segments on their antennae and on their backs which makes them a bit more recognizable. Or, if you found your cockroach outside, it may be an American cockroach, especially if you live in a warm, humid area and you found your cockroach near a sewer grate.














Comments
warbird5 said
on 11/2/2008 trying to indentify a flee sized insect in my kichen with a dark color, soft body that squashes easily and always just one....on wall or countertop. Moves slowly.
kellyjo said
on 4/16/2008 I have yet to identify this type of bug - it looks like a cockroach to me but I cannot seem to find the exact pattern from any of the roaches in pictures on the internet. The type I am finding has lighter brown with dark stripes on the head with a black body that narrows slightly compared to the head. Is there a way I can submit a picture I have taken of a dead one for someone to identify the type?