Cockroaches leave behind an unmistakable sign: their feces, which can resemble coffee grounds or peppercorns. Here’s how to recognize them — and why spotting them early matters.
You might think you’ve just found coffee grounds or peppercorns in a corner of your home, but if they’re in an unusual spot — like under the sink, behind appliances, or in a dark corner — they may be something far less appetizing: cockroach droppings.
Recognizing these droppings is not always easy, but it can help you detect — or even prevent — a cockroach infestation. Here’s everything you need to know to spot and respond to the warning signs of cockroaches in your home.
Cockroach Droppings: How to Recognize Them
1. What Are Cockroaches?
Cockroaches — often mistaken for beetles — are insects belonging to the order Blattodea. They’re among the oldest insect species on Earth, with fossils dating back over 300 million years.
Out of around 4,600 known cockroach species, only a handful are common household pests. The most widespread types include:
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Blatta orientalis (Oriental or black cockroach)
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Blattella germanica (German cockroach)
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Periplaneta americana (American cockroach)
Cockroaches typically have flattened, oval-shaped bodies, long antennae, and six legs. They range in color from brown to black, and their size can vary — with common species measuring between 1.5 and 5 cm in length.
2. Cockroach Droppings That Look Like “Coffee Beans”
If you notice small, cylindrical droppings with rounded edges that are dark brown or black, you may be dealing with an Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis). These are commonly found in basements, utility rooms, or other damp and cool environments.
The feces resemble tiny coffee beans or small pellets and are often found in areas where these roaches move at night.
