The American cockroach – the big ones that have wings (a few months a year) – called Palmetto Bugs in some parts of the country and “waterbugs” in the NYC metro area, are not usually flying around “verandas” or what we call porches on Long Island. they are more likely to be found in NYC after a rain on city streets or in sewers. In fact, they aren’t frequently seen on Long Island at all. I’m wondering if you could be mistaken, and perhaps saw a dragonfly or other large flying instect. We also have crickets which are more likely to make the chirping sound you mentioned. Those are found in rural and suburban areas as well as cities. They are usually in trees. Crickets resemble large roaches but almost never come into people’s homes. Seeing them “fly around” on a veranda would also be an uncommon sight.
I am pretty sure those were flying cockroaches, it what my hosts said they were. And I know that cockroaches are not dragonflies, those are very common in Sweden and in Holland too.
And I once dissected a roach, in biology class, I might still have that drawing somewhere…
Well if their sitter was a budget traveller, they’ll be in for a rude awakening once they start staying in budget accommodation! I once stayed in a hostel in Melbourne and the kitchen was like 12% cockroaches 
Yes, that is a well known fact. However, the travellers THS are targeting are the ones who usually use hotels but are looking for a cheaper alternative. There is a huge difference in holidaying in a hotel where everything is laid on and staying in the community and navigating how, when and why.
The adverts are in the newspapers, all over the internet and being highlighted in travellers blogs.
A roach in a multi unit dwelling in NYC? Shocking I tell you.
Totally inappropriate. I’d definitely mention this in the sitters review.
What you can do is to have a plan B for your dogs care. Always a good idea. Life happens. Sitter may have an emergency. Etc.
I’m also wondering if the recent crackdown on Airbnbs in NYC is making the situation worse.
It’s winter in New Hampshire, so I just added “stink bug” sightings in the house to my welcome book.
Not only do they look like cockroaches from a far but if you squish the bug, it really does stink.
They are essentially harmless and live within buildings until the weather gets warmer.
But every now and then one shows itself in the house and even to me, it is disconcerting to see such a bug.
The spiders we get in the house year round are big and black.
I mention them as a courtesy since some people do have a fear of spiders 
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We did a sit in Virginia back in October, and were warned about them! One got in the car and I nearly panicked, not only because of the roach like appearance, but the stink!
Hi @HelloOutThere it’s a great idea to add them to your welcome book. They are also prevalent in Europe and we have come across them a couple of times whilst housesitting but not everyone will know what they are.
In Sweden, they are called “bärfis” because they are often in berries (blueberries etc) and they smell like a “fis” (a fart).
… aimed to people who recently got the travel bug (pun intended).
Oh yes, handle stink bugs with care. I don’t generally kill bugs, I relocate them. And like @Itchyfeet , I leave spiders be because they kill problem bugs. But these I carefully grab in a tissue, making sure not to crush them, put them in the toilet and flush.
Off-topic, on-tangeant: The other thing I noticed about sink bugs is that from the back they look a little like smaller, bleached-out, spotted lantern flies. Killing spotted lantrn flies – an invasive speices has become a group sport New Yorker’s are all involved in. These guys:
