Country Roaches: Long Island’s Uninvited Fall Guests

Long Island residents may notice a new pest this fall: the Mediterranean spotted cockroach (Ectobius pallidus), nicknamed the “country roach.” Unlike the infamous “city roach” (Blattella germanica), which thrives indoors, this invader doesn’t breed in homes, offering relief to worried homeowners —at least for now. First documented in the U.S. in Falmouth, Massachusetts, in 1948, where it remained a minor outdoor pest for decades. Suddenly, sixty years later, in 2019, likely spurred by climate shifts or ecological changes, its populations surged, spreading to Long Island’s suburbs. A Bohemia biologist confirmed the first local sighting on a kitchen countertop that year. According to Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, PhD, Associate Director of Community & Urban IPM, New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, Cornell University. By summer 2022, the “country roach” had overrun campgrounds like Hither Hills and Gateway Park, Sandy Hook, prompting closures due to campers’ fears of bringing roaches home in clothing or gear. Unlike city roaches, E. pallidus thrives outdoors, overwintering in leaf litter, trash bins, and damp cardboard—common in suburban yards. Their strong flying ability and attraction to warmth draw them into homes as fall cools, especially in unsealed houses. Fortunately, their eggs don’t hatch in dry indoor conditions, so household infestations are rare. To manage the bugs, skip harsh insecticides; squash or shoo them outside. For persistent issues, low-toxicity sprays are effective, as these roaches haven’t developed the resistance seen in city roaches. Homeowners can prevent entry by sealing cracks, clearing leaf piles, and using window screens. Recognizing this pest’s habits ensures a pest-free home while appreciating Long Island’s evolving ecosystem.