The first thing to do is to make a positive identification of the insect you found. There are several different types of cockroaches in the United States. Visit your local Cooperative Extension Service office and take advantage of their diagnostic services. Cockroach egg capsules are capable of surviving in packages that are shipped long distances. The egg masses are usually dark brown, symmetrical, and resemble a dried bean. If you did find a cockroach, there is a chance that some cockroach eggs also came with the tree. There is also a chance that a mature cockroach or a nymph (the smaller, sexually immature, in-between stage) could survive a long trip. If an adult or nymph did survive the trip to your house, by now it would have left the tree for better habitat—someplace in your house that is dark, relatively moist, and close to food—so the tree is not a problem in that sense. There could be egg masses still on the tree, though, so you should think about taking care of them first. If you live in a cold area, you can kill the cockroach egg masses by storing the tree out of doors for several weeks of zero or close to zero air temperatures. You can put it in a large plastic bag to protect it from snow or rain or whatever. If it folds up small enough, it would be simple to store it in a chest freezer for two weeks. Carefully vacuum any place the tree was, and carefully check the packaging it came in for egg clusters. If in fact you unknowingly brought live adults or nymphs into your house, the first step is monitoring, using sticky traps against walls or in corners of the floor, under shelves, counters, etc. A week or two of surveying should be enough. If you find a cockroach in your trap or traps, you will have to go on to the next steps of control and eradication.

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