Which cockroach species does not require a close association with moisture?

• A. German
• B. Brown banded
• C. Oriental
• D. American

Answer: (B)

Understanding how much moisture different cockroaches need helps explain where they’re found and how to control them. The brown-banded cockroach tolerates drier conditions better than the others. It can inhabit higher, less humid spots like behind cabinets, in closets, or on walls, so it doesn’t have to stay tied to moisture as closely as the other common species. In contrast, the German cockroach tends to stay where warmth and water are readily available—kitchens and bathrooms. The Oriental cockroach prefers damp, dark areas such as basements, and the American cockroach also needs moisture and is often found in warm, humid spots like crawl spaces and around plumbing. So, the brown-banded cockroach is the one that doesn’t require a close association with moisture.