Roach?

5616  Hello, my name is Abby. I took these inside my bedroom, in Tennessee. I’ve seen about 3 of these over the 2 months I’ve lived here. I’m worried because they look like a cockroach but the place is very clean I can’t imagine how they got here. please help! Also the picture makes it look a little bit darker than the actual color of the bug.

This is a cockroach, but I cannot be certain of a specific identification. It might be one of the so-called wood cockroaches (Parcoblatta sp.) that are widespread in North America. These often get indoors, but usually do not set up permanent housekeeping there. Also, the presence of cockroaches is not in itself an indicator of dirty/unsanitary conditions; they are the ultimate opportunists. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.