They have survived such a long time because they have demonstrated outstanding ability to adapt to a wide range of habitats.
Cockroaches feed on a variety of foods, with a preference for starchy and sugary material.
They will also feed freely on book bindings, sizing, inner linings of shoe soles and dead insects. They carry debris on their legs and bodies and may spread germs and contaminate food. Cockroaches also give off an offensive odor that may ruin food, or may persist on dishes or other items the roaches run over. There are four types of house-infesting roaches that are commonly seen in New York State. These are the American cockroach, Brown-banded cockroach, German cockroach and Oriental cockroach.