It prefers a warmer, drier environment than the German cockroach and often is found in ceilings, light fixtures, furniture and appliances, especially televisions. The oriental cockroach is intermediate in size between the German and the American cockroach and much darker. Many consider it the most repulsive common cockroach, primarily due to its strong odor. This species prefers cool, damp, dark areas. Common habitats include sewer drains, damp crawl spaces, basements and cellars.
Infestations are most common in the spring and fall.
The wood cockroach prefers the outdoors and usually is found in wood piles, in dead trees and under bark. Attracted to lights, it occasionally enters homes and causes great alarm because it is so easily confused with pest cockroaches. The wood cockroach has a white band that runs around the head and the shield behind the head. Usually it does not survive or multiply indoors. The three keys to effective cockroach management are prevention and sanitation, detection and chemical control.