How big do 'household' cockroaches get?!?

Question

So I was sitting at my computer and I saw something crawling up my wall...So out of curiosity of course, I turned on my light, moved my curtain over and there it was! THE BIGGEST COCKROACH I HAVE EVER SEEN!!! I swear it was a little over 2 inches long and it was fast as h**l... I have never seen a roach or water bug even remotely that huge! So again, my question is... Just how big can/do 'household roaches' get?

I know hissing cockroaches are pretty big and other species from different countries are exceptionally large...maybe even other states. I'm from Fontana, a city in Southern California. And also, just to put it out there; I am clean, and tidy...so really, I don't understand how I even have roaches...let alone MUTANT ROACHES!

Answer 1

American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) do get pretty huge, and they are very quick.  The "startle" factor is incredible when you turn on the lights.  I swear they can fly directly at you, too, although entomologists have assured me that they are not that coordinated.  What do they know?  Give me a snake or a spider any time, I detest cockroaches!

Perhaps your neighbors are not so neat as you are, especially if you live in an apartment.  Anyhow, roaches can come in from outside in grocery bags, via air conditioner ducts, etc., through no fault of the housekeeper.  Good luck.  I won't say "enjoy."