I've just discovered theese little things in my apartment. And I don't live in a country where cockroaches is common. But, I was in Tenerife a couple a month ago. Is it possible that I've got some eggs with me or something? Unsure what kind of cockroaches they have there though.

i live in wake county as well, and have these stupid ugly things, too. the orkin man said they were american, but everything i see on the web points to smoky brown...

we have lots of natural area around our house and will see the big ones at night...yay.

Most likely this is a cockroach nymph, but if the pale areas are markings and not light reflecting off, then it can't be an Oriental roach, which is devoid of markings. My first thought was a brown-banded roach, but after seeing other images on the 'net, I don't think it is that species, either. Any chance of getting more images of this, or other individuals?

brown does look like a match.

I added my only other decent photo. The pale segments are definitely markings. Thanks for your help!

I was blown away to see the image of my current plague on this website. I've never had to use an exterminator before, despite being from FL and living in these parts for 10 yrs., but these have required two visits/consults from Orkin, and another less expensive co. is trying to help now, but they're pervasive and persistant. Dont seem to seek out or infest the food areas like cabinets or trash, and nothing under the sink. Mostly around entranceways, baseboards, under stove????, ceiling, staircase walls. It's inexplicable, and at my latest appt. I showed him all my capturees with accompanying bug log, and this website.
Have killed a couple bigees in the last month (parents?) but am only seeing little ones everywhere.
If relevant, hear the previous tenant allowed a good bit of water damage to occur in the plumbing.
If anyone knows more, would be grateful. Can't use toxic chemicals with daughter with Autism-but can't have dead bug parts all over the place. They're so little you don't notice them in the carpet if you're not looking.

It sounds like you have a moderate to severe roach infestation and the pest control people don't know what they're doing. If I had to guess based on your description, it is probably an "outdoor" species of cockroach that has moved indoors, or there is an overpopulated harborage close by outside your apartment forcing them in.

Clean the heck out of your apartment - inside and out - remove all clutter especially paper, wood piles, leaves and cardboard. Vacuum the entire house thoroughly a few times and get rid of what you suck up immediately (the dumpster, not your kitchen garbage). Ask the building superintendent about checking for water leaks and get any leaks in or around your apartment fixed. Finally, dust just about everywhere with boric acid powder (Home Depot- also boric acid is non-toxic so don't worry about your daughter’s health).

This would be a good START. You have to see what happens when you do all of this and then react. It's a war so if you win a small battle and then let up, you will loose the war. Hope this was some help to you!