What kind of cockroach do I have?

Use this guide to compare size, colour, and where you see them. Small light-brown cockroaches with two stripes are usually German. Large reddish-brown ones from drains are often American. Dark, glossy ones in damp areas may be Oriental. Small banded ones in warmer spots may be brown-banded.

Where are cockroaches usually found?

German cockroaches favour kitchens, bathrooms, and warm indoor areas. American and Oriental often appear from drains and damp spaces. Brown-banded like warmer, drier spots including ceilings and behind furniture. Identifying the species helps target control.

Why do I have cockroaches?

Cockroaches need food, water, and harbourage. They enter through drains, gaps, or packaging. Leaks, unsealed food, and clutter encourage them. Professional treatment plus hygiene and sealing gives the best long-term results.

Indoors only or coming from drains?

German and brown-banded cockroaches usually breed indoors. American and Oriental often enter from drains, sewers, or outside; fixing drainage and sealing entry points helps. Where you see them — kitchen vs bathroom vs near drains — helps identify the species and source.

When should I get professional help?

Get help for sightings in kitchens or multiple rooms, commercial premises, cockroaches from drains, or if activity returns after DIY. Correct identification and treatment reduce reinfestation.

How do I use the quick comparison table?

Match what you see (colour, size, where found, behaviour clue) to the most likely cockroach in the table. Then read that species card for full details and “Often confused with.” Link through to Cockroach Control Cape Town when you need treatment.

Cockroach Identification Guide

South Africa has several cockroach species commonly found in and around homes, kitchens, and commercial premises. This guide focuses on the species most likely to be seen in properties — correct identification helps you understand where they hide, why they appear, and when to get professional help.

Compare common cockroaches found in South African homes, kitchens, bathrooms, and business environments.

Need help with cockroaches?

Call See Cockroach Control Cape Town

Adult pointing out a cockroach on the floor — identification guide context; species cards below show close-up ID photos

How to use this guide

Compare colour — light brown, dark brown, black, or banded
Compare size — small (12–15 mm), medium, or large (30–40 mm)
Compare where you found them — kitchen, bathroom, drains, cupboards, at night
Compare whether they fly, run, or stay near moisture
Compare whether they are mostly indoors or in drains/outdoors
Then match to the most likely species card using the quick comparison table

Quick comparison

Cockroach	Colour	Size	Commonly found	Key clue
German cockroach	Light brown with two dark stripes	12–15 mm	Kitchens, bathrooms, cupboards, warm indoor areas	Small; most common indoor pest; rapid reproduction
American cockroach	Reddish-brown with pale margin	28–44 mm	Drains, sewers, basements, sometimes indoors	Large; can fly in warm weather; often from drains
Oriental cockroach	Dark brown to black	20–27 mm	Damp areas, basements, drains, under appliances	Shiny; strong smell; prefers cool damp places
Brown-banded cockroach	Light brown with banding	10–14 mm	Warmer areas, ceilings, behind pictures, electronics	Small; bands across wings; avoids water

Species at a glance

Use the cards below to match what you see — appearance, where they are found, and behaviour.

German Cockroach

Blattella germanica

Appearance

Light brown to tan with two dark parallel stripes behind the head
About 12–15 mm long
Oval, flattened body; wings but rarely fly
Nymphs are smaller, darker, with a light band

Commonly found

KitchensBathroomsCupboardsBehind appliancesWarm indoor areasFood prep areasCommercial kitchensRestaurants and catering

Behaviour

The most common indoor cockroach pest in South Africa and worldwide. Breeds rapidly; egg cases (oothecae) carried by females. Prefers warmth, moisture, and food. Active at night; can contaminate food and surfaces. Difficult to control with DIY alone once established.

Why you may be seeing them

Food, moisture, warmth, and harbourage in cracks and behind appliances. Often introduced via packaging, second-hand goods, or from adjacent properties. Thrives in kitchens and bathrooms.

Often confused with

Brown-banded cockroach (smaller, banding different) · Young American cockroach (much larger when adult)

When to get help

Sightings in kitchen or multiple rooms; egg cases or nymphs; commercial premises — professional treatment and ongoing hygiene advice recommended.

German cockroach pest guide Need help with this cockroach? See Cockroach Control Cape Town

American Cockroach

Periplaneta americana

Appearance

Reddish-brown with a pale yellow margin on the thorax
Large: about 28–44 mm long
Long antennae; wings that extend past the abdomen
Can fly in warm conditions

Commonly found

Drains and sewersBasementsBathroomsKitchens (often from plumbing)OutbuildingsCommercial premisesGreenhouses and damp areas

Behaviour

Often enters from drains, sewers, or outside. Can fly in warm weather. Prefers warm, moist environments. May be seen at night in bathrooms or kitchens. Less likely to establish large indoor breeding sites than German cockroaches but still a major pest in many South African homes and businesses.

Why you may be seeing them

Entry from sewer lines, drains, or gaps; attracted to moisture and food. Often appears after rain or when drains are disturbed. Can indicate drainage or sealing issues.

Often confused with

Oriental cockroach (darker, no pale margin) · Other large outdoor cockroaches

When to get help

Regular sightings; cockroaches from drains; commercial or food-handling areas — drain treatment and exclusion may be needed.

American cockroach pest guide Need help with this cockroach? See Cockroach Control Cape Town

Oriental Cockroach

Blatta orientalis

Appearance

Dark brown to black, glossy
About 20–27 mm long
Wings reduced in females; males have short wings
Robust, rounded body

Commonly found

Damp basementsUnder sinksDrainsUnder appliancesCool, moist areasCellars and ground floors

Behaviour

Prefers cool, damp places. Often associated with a strong, unpleasant smell. Moves more slowly than German or American. Can survive in less warm conditions. Common in older buildings and properties with moisture issues.

Why you may be seeing them

Moisture, leaks, poor ventilation, or drain access. Often found in basements and ground-floor areas. May enter under doors or through drains.

Often confused with

American cockroach (lighter, larger) · Other dark cockroaches

When to get help

Persistent damp-area infestations; smell or contamination concern — fix moisture and seal entry points; professional treatment for established populations.

Oriental cockroach pest guide Need help with this cockroach? See Cockroach Control Cape Town

Brown-Banded Cockroach

Supella longipalpa

Appearance

Light brown with distinct banding across wings and abdomen
Small: about 10–14 mm
Males can fly; females have shorter wings
Narrower than German cockroach

Commonly found

Warmer, drier areasCeilingsBehind pictures and electronicsFurnitureCupboards (higher up)Offices and residential

Behaviour

Prefers warmer, drier spots than German cockroach; often found higher in rooms. Can spread throughout a building. Avoids water sources. Egg cases may be glued to surfaces. Less common than German in many areas but increasing in distribution.

Why you may be seeing them

Warmth, harbourage in clutter or behind fixtures. Often introduced with belongings or packaging. Can be widespread in multi-unit buildings.

Often confused with

German cockroach (stripes behind head, not bands) · Small brown cockroaches

When to get help

Sightings in multiple rooms or offices; evidence of breeding — professional treatment and reducing harbourage help.

Brown-banded cockroach pest guide Need help with this cockroach? See Cockroach Control Cape Town

Common signs by location

Where you see cockroaches often points to which species are most likely. Use this to narrow down identification.

Cockroaches in the kitchen
Most often German; check behind appliances, in cupboards, and near moisture.
German cockroachAmerican cockroachBrown-banded cockroach
Cockroaches in the bathroom
Often from drains or moisture; American and Oriental favour damp areas.
German cockroachAmerican cockroachOriental cockroach
Cockroaches near drains
Large or dark cockroaches from drains may be American or Oriental.
American cockroachOriental cockroach
Cockroaches in cupboards
Small species; check for egg cases and droppings.
German cockroachBrown-banded cockroach
Cockroaches at night
Most species are nocturnal; turn on a light to see them scatter.
German cockroachAmerican cockroachOriental cockroachBrown-banded cockroach
Cockroaches in commercial premises
Kitchens, storage, and food areas need professional assessment and treatment.
German cockroachAmerican cockroachBrown-banded cockroach

Why cockroaches keep coming back

Harbourage still available — cracks, behind appliances, and clutter provide shelter.
Food and water still available — unsealed food, spills, and moisture attract them.
Egg cases (oothecae) still hatching — one female can produce many offspring.
Entry points still open — drains, gaps under doors, and pipe penetrations.
Adjacent infestation — neighbouring units or shared ducts can reinfest.
Treatment did not reach harbourages — spray alone may not get egg cases or hidden nymphs.

Common cockroach behaviour patterns

These patterns help when you cannot identify by name alone.

Small indoor cockroaches
Usually German or brown-banded. Prefer warmth and food; breed quickly. Most common in kitchens and bathrooms.
Large cockroaches from drains
Often American or Oriental. Enter from sewer lines or damp areas. May indicate drainage or sealing issues.
Dark, slow-moving cockroaches
Oriental cockroaches prefer cool, damp places like basements and under sinks.
Cockroaches in warmer, drier spots
Brown-banded often found higher up — ceilings, behind pictures — and avoid water.
Flying cockroaches
American cockroaches can fly in warm weather; brown-banded males can also fly.

When to get professional help

Sightings in kitchen or food areas
Multiple rooms or recurring sightings
Commercial or food-handling premises
Cockroaches from drains or after rain
Activity returning after DIY treatment
Egg cases or nymphs present

Call Call for cockroach control

Ready to tackle your cockroach problem?

Call or see our Cockroach Control Cape Town service for targeted treatment.

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Cockroach Identification Guide

Compare common cockroaches found in South African homes, kitchens, bathrooms, and business environments.

How to use this guide

Compare colour — light brown, dark brown, black, or banded

Compare size — small (12–15 mm), medium, or large (30–40 mm)

Compare where you found them — kitchen, bathroom, drains, cupboards, at night

Compare whether they fly, run, or stay near moisture

Compare whether they are mostly indoors or in drains/outdoors

Then match to the most likely species card using the quick comparison table

Quick comparison

Cockroach	Colour	Size	Commonly found	Key clue
German cockroach	Light brown with two dark stripes	12–15 mm	Kitchens, bathrooms, cupboards, warm indoor areas	Small; most common indoor pest; rapid reproduction
American cockroach	Reddish-brown with pale margin	28–44 mm	Drains, sewers, basements, sometimes indoors	Large; can fly in warm weather; often from drains
Oriental cockroach	Dark brown to black	20–27 mm	Damp areas, basements, drains, under appliances	Shiny; strong smell; prefers cool damp places
Brown-banded cockroach	Light brown with banding	10–14 mm	Warmer areas, ceilings, behind pictures, electronics	Small; bands across wings; avoids water

Common signs by location

Where you see cockroaches often points to which species are most likely. Use this to narrow down identification.

Cockroaches in the kitchen

Most often German; check behind appliances, in cupboards, and near moisture.

German cockroachAmerican cockroachBrown-banded cockroach

Cockroaches in the bathroom

Often from drains or moisture; American and Oriental favour damp areas.

German cockroachAmerican cockroachOriental cockroach

Cockroaches near drains

Large or dark cockroaches from drains may be American or Oriental.

American cockroachOriental cockroach

Cockroaches in cupboards

Small species; check for egg cases and droppings.

German cockroachBrown-banded cockroach

Cockroaches at night

Most species are nocturnal; turn on a light to see them scatter.

German cockroachAmerican cockroachOriental cockroachBrown-banded cockroach

Cockroaches in commercial premises

Kitchens, storage, and food areas need professional assessment and treatment.

German cockroachAmerican cockroachBrown-banded cockroach

Why cockroaches keep coming back

Harbourage still available — cracks, behind appliances, and clutter provide shelter.

Food and water still available — unsealed food, spills, and moisture attract them.

Egg cases (oothecae) still hatching — one female can produce many offspring.

Entry points still open — drains, gaps under doors, and pipe penetrations.

Adjacent infestation — neighbouring units or shared ducts can reinfest.

Treatment did not reach harbourages — spray alone may not get egg cases or hidden nymphs.

Common cockroach behaviour patterns

These patterns help when you cannot identify by name alone.

Small indoor cockroaches

Usually German or brown-banded. Prefer warmth and food; breed quickly. Most common in kitchens and bathrooms.

Large cockroaches from drains

Often American or Oriental. Enter from sewer lines or damp areas. May indicate drainage or sealing issues.

Dark, slow-moving cockroaches

Oriental cockroaches prefer cool, damp places like basements and under sinks.

Cockroaches in warmer, drier spots

Brown-banded often found higher up — ceilings, behind pictures — and avoid water.

Flying cockroaches

American cockroaches can fly in warm weather; brown-banded males can also fly.

Cockroach Identification Guide

How to use this guide

Quick comparison

Species at a glance

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Common signs by location

Cockroaches in the kitchen

Cockroaches in the bathroom

Cockroaches near drains

Cockroaches in cupboards

Cockroaches at night

Cockroaches in commercial premises

Why cockroaches keep coming back

Common cockroach behaviour patterns

Small indoor cockroaches

Large cockroaches from drains

Dark, slow-moving cockroaches

Cockroaches in warmer, drier spots

Flying cockroaches

When to get professional help

Related pages

Ready to tackle your cockroach problem?

Cockroach Identification Guide

How to use this guide

Quick comparison

Species at a glance

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Common signs by location

Cockroaches in the kitchen

Cockroaches in the bathroom

Cockroaches near drains

Cockroaches in cupboards

Cockroaches at night

Cockroaches in commercial premises