German Cockroach

The German cockroach is the most common species of the cockroach. 

Adult German roaches range in size from 1/2 inch- 5/8 inch long. 

Their color varies from tan to almost black, and they have two dark, roughly parallel, streaks behind the head to the base of the wings.  The German cockroach reproduces faster than any other residential cockroach, growing from egg to reproductive adult in roughly 50 – 60 days. 

German cockroaches cannot survive severe cold climates so you will find them only near human dwellings since they prefer to live in warm, humid places close to food and moisture sources. They are frequently found in residential environments and commercial kitchens. They can also be found in processing facilities, hotels, nursing homes and apartments. They can hide in small cracks and crevices that are easy to overlook, thereby evading humans and their eradication efforts.

HABITS 

German cockroaches are scavengers and are attracted particularly to meats, starches, sugars, and fatty foods but will feed on almost anything. Where a shortage of foodstuff exists, they may eat household items such as soap, glue, and toothpaste.  In famine conditions, they turn cannibalistic, chewing at each other's wings and legs. 

German cockroaches are good hitchhikers and often find their way into new structures via grocery bags, books, cardboard boxes, drink cartons and secondhand appliances. 

Though nocturnal, the German cockroach occasionally appears by day, especially if the population is crowded or has been disturbed. However, sightings are most frequent of an evening, when someone suddenly brings a light into a room deserted after dark, such as a kitchen where they have been scavenging.  When excited or frightened, the species emits an unpleasant odor.

THREATS 

German cockroach has been implicated in outbreaks of illness and allergic reactions in many people. Cockroaches have been reported to spread bacteria. They can pick up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies as they crawl through decaying matter or sewage and then carry these into food or onto food surfaces. German cockroach allergens cause allergic reactions and can exacerbate asthma attacks, especially in children. This makes German cockroach control incredibly vital.

PREVENTION 

The best advice for German cockroach control is to practice good sanitation. To prevent German cockroaches from infesting the space and other buildings vacuum often, keep a spotless kitchen, seal all entrances around utility pipes and ventilate crawl spaces to prevent moisture buildup.