The German Cockroach, one of the most common species of cockroach found worldwide. While infestations occur in a variety of human occupied spaces, they’re most often associated with restaurants, food processing facilities, hotels, nursing homes and other institutional facilities.
They’re light brown to tan with two dark, almost parallel stripes located on their backs, just behind their heads. They average around ½”-5/8” in length. Females tend to be darker than males. Nymphs are dark brown to black in color with the same dark stripes located on their backs. While they have wings, they don’t fly, they prefer to run.
German roaches prefer to live in warm, humid places close to food and moisture sources. Most frequently found in both residential and commercial kitchen and bathrooms, so these two are the most likely places for an infestation to occur. Though infestation can occur in any area where people eat and drink.
Droppings will be seen in areas that they frequent. They appear as small, dark, “pepper-like” materials left on countertops or in drawers. There may also be fecal staining, which can appear as dark spots or smears in the corners of rooms, along the tops of doors or around small cracks and openings into walls. When German cockroach populations are present in large numbers, it may be possible to detect a mild, “musty” order.
The best roach control is good sanitation. To prevent roaches, maintain a clean kitchen by cleaning up crumbs, wiping spills and vacuuming often. Avoid leaving dishes piled up in the sink. Seal all entrances to the structure, especially around utility pipes, and ventilate crawl spaces to prevent moisture build up.
German roaches can breed at a rate of up to six generations per year. With a single roach being responsible for the births of more than 30,000 babies in a year. Not only that but they can spread bacteria and human pathogens. It has been reported that they spread 33 kinds of bacteria, 6 kinds of parasite worms and at least 7 other kind of human pathogens. They can pick up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies as they crawl through decaying matter or sewage then carry these onto food surfaces.
Being expert-hitchhikers they often find their way into structures by hitching a ride in grocery bags, cardboard boxes, etc.
If you find that you’re getting German Cockroaches in your home, it is always best to reach out to a professional before the infestation can escalate.
