The capital of Italy, Rome, is facing an unsettling urban nuisance as giant flying cockroaches, driven by the city’s first summer heatwave, emerge in increasing numbers across several neighborhoods. The unexpected invasion, largely involving the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), has sparked concern among residents and is dominating social media platforms.
From the multicultural neighborhood of Torpignattara to the upscale hill of Monte Mario, and all the way to the coastal areas near Fiumicino, residents are reporting swarms of these oversized insects.
Videos and photos showing cockroaches flying onto balconies and scurrying across pavements have gone viral, painting a picture of a city caught off guard by a pest boom.
Experts say Rome’s early summer heat — with temperatures nearing 30°C — is driving the surge. The American cockroach thrives in warmth and humidity, and while usually ground-dwelling, it can glide long distances and has been seen flying into homes and courtyards.
Residents say the insects are emerging from the city’s sewer system and spreading rapidly through residential buildings, especially in areas like Boccea, Aurelio, and the eastern districts of the city. Citizens report on social media that the pests often remain hidden during the day, only to take to the streets and balconies after dark in search of food and moisture.
“They fly as high as six meters,” warn entomologists and stunned witnesses alike. Basement dwellings, commercial premises, and humid crawl spaces under buildings are especially vulnerable. Once temperatures rise, the cockroaches become increasingly mobile and aggressive, frequently entering homes when doors or windows are left open.
The sight of these creatures clinging to ceilings, darting through living rooms, or simply lurking in the shadows has left many Romans feeling queasy and helpless. As one social media user bluntly put it: “It’s disgusting.”