The German cockroach, out of all 55 cockroach species found in the United States, is the one that creates the most concern and gives all other cockroaches a bad reputation. It is found throughout the world. The German cockroach was initially thought to be European but that is not the case. The origin of the German cockroach has been traced back to Africa.
| Pest Identification | |
|---|---|
| Recognition | The adult German cockroach can be anywhere from ½ inch about 1-½ inches in length. They range from brown to dark brown in color with two very dark parallel bands running the length of the pronotum. The German cockroach is also easily sexed. The male has a thin body and slender, tapered posterior abdomen. The female has a noticeably stout body and a rounded posterior abdomen. |
| Biology | The German cockroach lays a brown egg capsule rather than laying single eggs. She can lay a capsule every 16-24 days with each capsule producing anywhere from 36-48 eggs. One female can produce up to 8 egg capsules in her lifetime. There are three developmental stages of the German cockroach: the egg, nymph and adult. The complete life cycle from egg to adult takes about 100 days. Clearly, the population of the German cockroach, under ideal conditions, is exponential. |
| Habits | The German roach requires a warm climate for survival. The ideal environment is a moist area with a high degree of temperatures. They are scavengers for the most part, feeding on a wide variety of human foods such as starches, grease, meat and sweets. Much of their foraging and feeding is done at night. They will hide during daylight hours and are able to hide in cracks and crevices that are dark, warm and humid. The wide, flat body of the German cockroach enables them to dart in and out of tiny cracks with the greatest of ease. They will also be seen during the daytime in areas where there are heavy infestations. |
| Prevention | The best method of prevention inside the home is to develop a pest control plan that calls for continual sanitary conditions. This also includes leaving no leftover food sitting out and all foods in sealed containers. A clean environment with no food or water source will discourage infestation. Other things within the home to discourage German cockroaches from moving in include sealing off normal points of entry. Check all screens for any rips or tears and repair as needed. Caulk any cracks or crevices around windows and doors. Check all bags when you come home from the grocery store. German cockroaches have been known to eat the glue from paper grocery bags to survive. |
| Professional | Professional pest control service is a must in the event that German cockroaches find their way into your home. This is the safest and most efficient manner to eradicate roaches. The technicians at Rottler Pest have a variety of methods from baits and traps to non-repellent insecticide and are highly trained to implement the most effective treatment pertinent to your needs. |
