Cockroaches. Young one (top) and adult. Hard to be sure from the photos even though they're pretty clear, but possibly German cockroach or good ol' American cockroach, depending on size and if the adult has nice stripes between the head and wings (I think you have that, which makes it German).

Sorry. :/

Great. Is this something that we need to hire a pest control guy for? Thanks for the info!

I don't know. It seems that pest control guys tend to be a bit overzealous and if it's just a few stray cockroaches it wouldn't be worth it.

I'd start by getting really familiar with the critters, including eggs and poop, so you can monitor better how much of a problem it is. I'd set up roach motel type stuff and use powdered boric acid if you have a place to put it. In a new house like yours, you might not have nooks and crannies and inside-the-wall access for boric acid.

John, if you know what you're doing, it is not difficult to get rid of a few roaches in a single family dwelling. But know that they reproduce insanely rapidly and excel at hiding in places you'd never think of. By the gazillions.

Thanks for the info. I’ll do some research on this. My wife is pretty upset because she really IS Mrs. Clean, the only thing that she figures can attract them is the cat food which she will now put away at bedtime, hopefully if the roaches have nothing to eat. they will go away... the cats are probably going to jump on us in the middle of the night now, though.

The cats might be why you haven't seen them before! They usually think cockroaches are a wonderful challenge.

Cockroaches will find something out of nothing. I recommend mixing borax and sugar and setting it around on little squares of paper. Then spray with some roach spray inside and on the underside of the cupboards by the sink....they lay eggs near water...or moist spots...
I brought some home from an auction once in a box of "stuff" got rid of them before they got bad.
You can also make "roach balls" using sugar water and borax....dissolved and soak cotton balls in it and scatter.....can dry them first.

Cockroach cat toys... . Thanks Linda for the info. I’m now worried about the “lay eggs in moist places”, we shouldn’t have any of these in our almost-new house. I also am trying to figure out where they are coming in. May pull out the refrigerator and the wine cooler to see if there are any signs of activity underneath/ behind.

Roaches feed on insulation, paper, wall board, book bindings, cardboard, and much more than human or pet food.

Since you have pets, you cannot leave boric acid baits around where cats can find them.

Thanks, rhizo.