Where do flying roaches come from?

Two species of roaches get in the house by hitchhiking in grocery bags, cardboard boxes, luggage or furniture. You may bring a pregnant German or brown-banded cockroach (or an egg case) home in a grocery bag or cardboard box, so always inspect those containers. Check food for roaches before putting it away, and store your grocery bags outside. read more

Some cockroaches cannot fly. The males of the brownbanded roach and the Pennsylvania wood roach are both good fliers. Neither female can fly, however. A few species of common cockroaches do not fly at all. The most common roaches that do not fly are the German roach, the oriental roach, and the Florida Woods cockroach. Keeping flying cockroaches outside begins with eliminating the attractants. read more

The largest flying cockroach, Megaloblatta blaberoides, makes its home primarily in South and Central America. It can have a wingspan up to 7.2 inches (18 cm), and can be up to 3.9 inches (10 cm) long. read more