Does New York City Have Flying Cockroaches?

While the thought of flying cockroaches can be unsettling, the reality is that cockroaches seldom take flight in the Big Apple.

Do Cockroaches Fly?

In general, most cockroach species do not fly. This includes the most common household species in the United States, the German cockroach.

Only a few species in New York City (American and brown-banded cockroaches) can fly under specific conditions, such as high temperatures and humidity. However, weak wing muscles limit their ability to sustain flight, and most instances are brief and occur during peak summer heat.

Roaches generally prefer running over flying because they are much faster and more agile on the ground. With their powerful legs, cockroaches can travel up to travel up to 1.5 meters, or 50 body lengths, per second.¹

When Do Cockroaches Fly?

Cockroaches typically fly only in particular situations. They may take flight when they feel threatened or cannot escape by running. They might also fly when searching for food or water in elevated locations, such as on shelves or cabinets.

In addition, high temperatures are a necessary condition. Warm weather above 85°F provides the energy needed for short flights, as cockroaches are cold-blooded and rely on external heat for activity.

How Do Cockroaches Fly?

Cockroaches have two sets of wings: forewings and hindwings. The forewings are thick and serve as protective covers, lying flat on the roach’s back when not in use. The hindwings, which are thin and membranous, are used for flight.

To fly, cockroaches lift their forewings to expose the hindwings, which then propel them forward. Flight is usually limited to short distances or gliding, as their wing muscles are not strong enough for sustained flight.

Even for cockroach species that cannot fly, wings serve other essential functions. Wings help cockroaches maintain balance on uneven surfaces and adjust their center of gravity. They also enable roaches to right themselves if they are flipped onto their backs. By fluttering or extending their wings, cockroaches can regain their footing, avoiding vulnerability to predators or starvation.

Flying Cockroaches in New York City

In New York City, only the American cockroach and the brown-banded cockroach have some capability for flight.

American Cockroaches

• Flight Ability: Can glide or fly short distances.
• Conditions: Requires temperatures above 85°F.²
• Behavior: Typically glides from high spots in search of food or moisture.

American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) are NYC’s largest roaches, measuring 1–2 inches with reddish-brown bodies and full wings. They rarely fly but can glide up to 100 feet horizontally. These roaches are typically found in humid areas like bathrooms, basements, boiler rooms, plumbing lines, and trash compactors.

According to PennState Extension, American cockroaches “are capable of flying but rarely do in northern areas of the United States.”

Rather than calling it “flight,” it’s more accurate to describe the typical use of American cockroaches’ wings as “gliding.” This species will occasionally use their wings to stabilize their descent from a high spot (e.g. the top of a wall or cabinet) to a lower spot in search of food or moisture.

Brown-Banded Cockroaches

• Flight Ability: Only males can fly.
• Conditions: Requires temperatures above 85°F.
• Behavior: Typically flies when threatened.

Brown-banded cockroaches (Supella longipalpa) are less common in New York City than the American and German species. Smaller in size, these roaches measure around 1/2 inch long and are light brown with two distinctive dark bands behind their heads.

While both male and female brown-banded cockroaches have fully developed wings, only the males can fly. Females have shorter, stockier bodies with wings that do not extend past their abdomens, making them flightless.

Brown-banded cockroaches, like American cockroaches, are not active fliers. Male brown-banded cockroaches typically fly only when disturbed or threatened.³

Getting Rid of Flying Roaches

Encountering a flying cockroach indoors usually indicates high temperature or humidity issues. Here’s how to manage and prevent them:

1. Adjust Temperature: Lower the room temperature to below 80°F using air conditioning.
2. Eliminate Entry Points: Seal cracks, especially around plumbing.
3. Address Moisture Issues: Fix leaky pipes and reduce indoor humidity.

If an infestation persists, it is important to act quickly to exterminate them. American cockroaches, for example, are often associated with moisture problems or entry points around plumbing. Identifying and addressing these sources is crucial for effective control.

For expert assistance, contact MMPC today. With over 25 years of experience, MMPC is one of NYC’s top-rated pest control providers, offering eco-friendly and reliable solutions to keep your home pest-free.

About the Author

Timothy Wong is the technical director of MMPC, an eco-friendly pest control company in Long Island City. He has over 20 years of pest control experience, holds professional licenses in NY, NJ, PA, and MA, and has published papers on bed bugs and pest control methods.

References

1. Full, R. J., & Tu, M. S. (1991). Mechanics of a rapid running insect: two-, four- and six-legged locomotion. The Journal of experimental biology, 156, 215–231. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.156.1.215 ↩︎
2. (n.d.). You Say Waterbug, We Say American Cockroach [Review of You Say Waterbug, We Say American Cockroach]. Cornell University Cooperative Extension. https://ecommons.cornell.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/d21efe3c-6fe8-4a2c-8930-6768b5eb1c01/content ↩︎
3. Brown-banded Cockroaches. (2023). Psu.edu. https://extension.psu.edu/brown-banded-cockroaches ↩︎