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You are here: Experts > Science > Insects/Spiders > Entomology (Study of Bugs) > Black bug in bathroom
Expert: Jack DeAngelis - 11/8/2009
Question
We found a bug in our bathroom tonight. It was about 1 inch long, about 1/2 wide, plump, and shiny black. It was dark when we got home and I saw it nestled between the bathtub and the bath mat when I turned the light on. It didn't move until we moved the rug, then it scurried into the hall where my husband stepped on it. It's insides were white & gooey. It didn't look like any of the roaches on the pest control web sites I checked. Any idea what it is, and how to get rid of it (I saw the first one a couple of months ago but it got away)? We live in southwest Ohio. Thanks!
Answer
Karen,
Your description sounds like an oriental cockroach. Here's a wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_cockroach with pictures for comparison. Oriental cockroaches are not as common as other species in terms of infestations in homes but they often occur in damp areas like bathrooms and basements. Here's an article about cockroaches in general http://www.livingwithbugs.com/cockroaches.html and you can follow the link to information about control. If you have a basement you'll want to concentrate your control efforts there at least initially. Cockroach baits (see links on page cited above) will work here as well.
Jack DeAngelis
http://www.livingwithbugs.com
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