Signs of a cockroach problem can be identified by physical evidence such as:

• Cockroach droppings
• Unusual and distinctive odour — caused by their droppings
• Smear marks
• Shed skin
• Cockroach eggs — called ootheca
• Damage caused by cockroaches, such as chewed packaging
• Actual sightings of live or dead cockroaches, or body parts, in kitchens, laundry rooms, drains, roof voids and damp basements

See our main page on signs of a cockroach infestation for more details.

Some species of cockroach prefer warmer, damp areas while others prefer cooler conditions. These are the areas in a building where they are found:

• Kitchens: cupboards, cabinets, hidden areas under sinks, behind machinery such as dishwashers, hidden spaces in appliances
• Bathrooms: at the back of cabinets, around the plumbing, in the drainage pipes, and any sheltered/hidden dark places
• Laundry rooms: in cupboards under sinks, around the plumbing, in hidden spaces in washing machines and dryers
• Basements: in cracks and gaps in walls and floors, under floor boards, in boxes and piles of paper material
• Drains: inside drains, entering through damaged covers or pipes, and gaps around pipes
• Outdoors: beneath decking, in undisturbed areas in outbuildings, in rubbish tips

See our page on signs of cockroach infestation for more details.

Most cockroach species are completely harmless. A few species, however, have found that human homes and businesses can provide abundant sources of food and have ideal environments for shelter and breeding — not just in UAE, but worldwide. Even the ‘UAE cockroach’ is not native to UAE but is common across the tropics. The most common pest cockroaches are:

• German cockroach
• Oriental cockroach
• UAE cockroach
• Brown banded cockroach

See our cockroach species page or click on a species above for more information on these species.