German Cockroach
German cockroaches grow to 1/2-5/8 inches long when mature, are light brown to tan in color, and have fully developed wings. The shield-like segment located behind the head has two dark parallel bars on it.
The nymphs are 1/8 inch long in size when they emerge from the egg capsule. They are almost uniformly dark with the exception of a light tan area on the back of the second and third segments.
The rectangle shaped egg capsules are light brown colour and are 1/4-3/4 inches long. Typically, each egg capsule has 15 to 20 eggs per side.
Order/Family
Blattodea/Blattellidae
Scientific Name
Blattella germanica
Biology
During her lifetime, the female German cockroach produces four to eight egg capsules each containing 30 to 40 eggs. Approximately one to two days before hatching, she drops the egg capsule in a protected area. Nymphs moult six to seven times before becoming adults. This requires about 103 days; thus allowing three to four generations per year. Adults live 100 to 200 days.
Behavior
German cockroaches typically infest kitchens and bathrooms but will live anywhere inside heated structures in which there is food, water, and harbourage. German cockroaches gain access to structures in grocery bags, cardboard boxes, infested equipment such as used refrigerators, toasters, microwaves, etc…
They are most active at night, leaving their harbourage areas to find food and water.
Control
An effective cockroach program depends on good sanitation to eliminate the food, water and harborage areas. The use of gel baits and dust are the most effect means of control. Glue traps are helpful but are usually used as monitoring devices rather than control measures. A thorough vacuuming of harborage areas is also very helpful in reducing cockroach populations.
If you’re seeing roaches during the day it is likely that you have a significant infestation in your home or facility. Roaches also leave behind droppings, which can be easily identified as they look like ground pepper or fine coffee grounds and are usually found in drawers or beneath countertops.
Roaches, like bed bugs, also like to feel material on their bellies and their backs and will therefore often hide in crevices in your kitchen or bathroom.
Using over the counter products in an effort to self-treat will often repel the roaches and cause them to scatter to other areas of your home or facility, making eradication significantly more difficult to attain. A professionally trained and licensed exterminator is your key to long lasting results.
Need help with Pest Control or Extermination?
Call A to Z Pest Control at 1-844-ATOZPEST or email us at service@atozpest.com.