German Cockroaches

German Cockroaches

The German cockroach or Croton bug (Blattella germanica) is a small species of cockroach, measuring about 1.3 cm (0.51 in) to 1.6 cm (0.63 in) long. It can be tan through brown to almost black, and has two dark parallel streaks running from the head to the base of the wings. Although it has wings, it is unable to sustain flight. The German cockroach is one of the most common and prominent household cockroaches in the world, and can be found throughout many human settlements. Source: Wikipedia.com

Identification

German cockroaches are brown with 2 longitudinal stripes running down the thorax. 1/2 to 5/8 inches long.

Environment

German cockroaches will live anywhere humans build heated structures. Usually found in kitchens in secluded areas. Behind and under appliances. In cracks and crevices behind backslashes. At counter edges. Behind and under cabinets. In void areas around plumbing. Backs of drawer wells. Will infest warm areas around appliance motors such as refrigerators and dishwashers.

Threats

German cockroaches will invade your home and leave fecal matter and other debris in and around food and food preparation areas. Can enter homes when boxes or products are shipped moved from one location to another. Reproduces at a high rate, completing a life cycle in 30 to 45 days. Produces 30-48 eggs at a time. Can generate 3 to 4 egg cases in a lifetime.

Treatment

Difficult to eradicate because they can infest so many areas and can be very difficult to contact with an insecticide. German roaches are most commonly treated inside a home with baits, sprays, or an aerosol product (baits preferred). Roaches disperse the bait back into their refuge sites when they ingest it. Most have a secondary and even a tertiary killing effect, meaning roaches that die in the harborage site from a bait are cannibalized by their fellows, causing additional mortality. Sprays are applied to surfaces that roaches crawl across or into harborage areas. Insect growth regulators (IGR) will reduce or eliminate egg production and cause mortality in immature forms of the German cockroach.