If you think you see a German cockroach flying around inside or outside your house, it might actually be an Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai). The Asian cockroach first appeared in the United States in 1986 in Lakeland, Florida. At first, people mistook it for the German cockroach. Now, experts believe it made its way to Florida through imported goods from Japan.

While the USDA reported in 2008 that Asian cockroaches might be helpful for feeding on the eggs of crop worms, outside of agricultural situations, they’re viewed as a pest that reproduces quickly, invades aggressively, and is tough to eliminate with regular DIY methods.

Learn how to keep this pest out of your home and yard.

What are Asian Cockroaches?

The Asian cockroach is a mobile and adaptable species of roach, common in the South and southeastern states. Outdoors, it can be found around the house in leaf piles, under mulch and in trees.

While accidental introductions can occur—such as transporting mulch, potted plants, or landscaping materials from southern states—they typically don’t establish populations in colder regions.

Where Are Asian Cockroaches Most Common in the U.S.?

According to Rachel Maccini, Pesticide Safety Education Coordinator at the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, Asian cockroaches are well-suited to warm, humid climates. They are primarily found in the southeastern United States, and their presence has been documented in states such as Florida—where they were first identified in 1986—as well as Texas, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.

She continues, “Asian cockroaches are not commonly found in New Hampshire or the broader Northeastern United States due to the region’s cold winters, which they cannot survive, and the lack of consistently warm, sheltered outdoor habitats such as mulch or leaf litter that stay hospitable year-round.”

Identifying Asian Cockroaches

What do Asian cockroaches look like?

Asian cockroaches are about half an inch long and light brown, with two parallel bands on the top of their head.

Asian cockroach behaviors

The Asian cockroach is an omnivore, feeding on anything and everything it finds — plants, flowers, human food, pet food, toothpaste and even waste. Drawn in by food, they can reproduce quickly and take over a location.

One of the flying cockroaches, the Asian cockroach, has a pair of wings and likes to use them, especially when provoked. When startled, it launches abruptly into the air with a sharp, whirring buzz, its wings unfolding rapidly as it zips off in a swift, darting flight. The movement is sudden and erratic, often catching people off guard with its quick bursts of motion.

Where do Asian cockroaches live around the home?

Unlike many other cockroach species, Asian roaches are strong fliers — they can fly up to 120 feet in one go. They’re attracted to light and are often seen at dusk or early in the evening, flying into homes where the lighting is brightest. While they prefer to stay outdoors, they will come inside and infest homes, especially if the wooded areas around the house are already overrun. In the house, you might see them flying around or hanging out on top of appliances and fixtures.

Asian Cockroach Life Cycle

The female Asian cockroach will lay three to four oothecae (egg cases) throughout its life. Similar to the German cockroach, Asian cockroaches go through the typical cockroach life cycle and live for three to six months. Maccini explains that the Asian cockroach undergoes a three-stage life cycle: egg, nymph, and adult. Females produce oothecae containing 30 to 40 eggs, which typically hatch within 20 days. The nymphs then develop through 5 to 7 molts throughout 40 to 65 days before adulthood, with adult roaches living for roughly 100 days.

Asian vs. German cockroaches

Asian and German cockroaches’ main differences and similarities are as follows:

  • Attraction to Light: According to Maccini, Asian cockroaches are not indoor breeders and can be a major nuisance by flying into lit homes in the evening. On the contrary, German cockroaches avoid bright light.
  • Flight: German cockroaches are poor fliers and mainly crawl, unlike Asian roaches, Maccini adds.
  • Appearance: Both are light brown and look very similar, making them hard to tell apart visually.
  • Habitat: Asian cockroaches prefer outdoor areas like mulch and leaf litter, whilst German cockroaches prefer to live indoors, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
  • Infestation in homes: Asian roaches fly in through open windows and doors. But German roaches spread indoors by hiding in cracks and moving between rooms. The latter can cause more serious infestations due to fast indoor breeding.
  • Health concerns: Both can carry bacteria and allergens.

How to Eliminate Asian Cockroaches

If you encounter Asian cockroaches in the home, pest control might be difficult. They are fast and agile, making killing them at the point of contact difficult. Since this roach is a flier, some of the traditional repellents and preventative measures are difficult to implement since they enter homes through windows and doorways instead of cracks and crevices that can be sealed.

If sprays and pesticides prove ineffective, contact your local exterminator to evaluate an infestation and provide a systematic approach to getting rid of the cockroaches.

Are Asian Cockroaches Dangerous?

Like other pests, the Asian cockroach can transport disease and bacteria into the home, contaminating food and surfaces. As a primarily outdoor cockroach, they also come in contact with animal feces, fungi and parasites that they could bring into the home. They are difficult to contain after penetrating a location, so quick action is needed to eliminate their damage and dangers. “Asian cockroaches are often confused with German roaches, leading to unnecessary pest control. Inside, they can contaminate surfaces and food, potentially triggering asthma or allergies or spreading pathogens. Outdoors, large populations may affect gardens, nurseries, or greenhouses,” says Maccini.

How to Prevent Asian Cockroaches in Your Home

Here are some ways in which you can prevent an Asian cockroach infestation:

Keep your home clean

  • Wipe up crumbs, spills, and food scraps immediately.
  • Clean kitchen and bathroom surfaces regularly.
  • Take out the trash often and change garbage bags frequently.

Reduce indoor attractants

  • Turn off outdoor lights when not needed.
  • Close doors and windows at night to keep flying roaches out.

Maintain your yard

  • Remove damp leaf piles and yard debris.
  • Keep grass trimmed and tidy.
  • Avoid using oak leaf litter or rubber mulch—these attract roaches.
  • Choose alternative mulch types and keep landscaping well-maintained.

Use Targeted Insecticide Treatments

The Asian cockroach is susceptible to most commonly used insecticides.
Several scatter baits have been developed specifically for their control and have shown high effectiveness in reducing populations.

However, as only a few Asian cockroaches typically enter homes at night, indoor insecticide applications have proven largely ineffective. For best results, focus control efforts outdoors where they breed and congregate.

FAQs

Do Asian cockroaches bite?

No, Asian cockroaches aren’t aggressive and don’t generally bite people or pets. In rare cases, if food is minimal, they might bite, but it would only cause mild irritation. The genuine concern with these roaches is the bacteria and germs they can carry, not their bite.

About The Expert

Rachel Maccini is a Pesticide Safety Education Field Specialist with the University of New Hampshire Extension. She brings over 20 years of experience in pesticide safety training, integrated pest management (IPM), and regulatory compliance. She holds a degree in entomology, which supports her work in insect identification and the development of science-based management strategies that align with IPM principles. Rachel collaborates with professionals in agriculture, landscaping, and municipal sectors to promote the safe, effective, and environmentally responsible use of pesticides.

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