German Cockroach Identification<\/strong><\/h2>\nBlattella germanica (Linnaeus)
\n<\/i><\/p>\n\n- Description: Light brown and small with parallel stripes located on the back under the head.<\/li>\n
- Length: 1\/2\u2033 \u2013 5\/8\u2033<\/li>\n
- Region Found: German Roaches are found in virtually every climate because they live indoors where a home or building is heated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What is a German Cockroach?<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/insightpest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/German-Roach-300x242.png\")
Image: PestWiki.com<\/p><\/div>\n
In the US, the German cockroach is the most common<\/a> type of cockroach found in indoor structures like homes and restaurants. A key distinguishing characteristic of the German roach is the two dark, parallel stripes going down it\u2019s back. This bug<\/a> is about 1\/2 – 1\/3 the length of the larger roach species such as the American or Oriental cockroach and adults measure 1\/2 \u2013 5\/8-inch long. Although the German roach is smaller, it is a far bigger problem than its larger cousins. Why?<\/p>\nSigns of a German Cockroach Infestation<\/strong><\/h2>\nThese bugs reproduce other roaches. While an American roach\u2019s<\/a> egg capsule (the ootheca, for all you entomology nerds) contains about 14-16 eggs and hatches every 50-55 days; the German roach\u2019s egg capsule contains between 30-48 eggs and hatches every about every 28 days. Thus, a female German roach and her progeny can produce up to 30,000 offspring in a year \u2013 much more than the 800 or so a female American roach may produce.<\/p>\nTheir proclivity for reproduction and the fact that these are primarily indoor pests contributes to why this is the roach that will most frequently infest homes and businesses.\u00a0 Not only are these roaches super creepy, these nasty little buggers also carry diseases and allergens that can cause health problems \u2013 so infestation needs be taken seriously.<\/p>\n
How to Prevent German Cockroach Infestations<\/strong><\/h2>\nTo help combat an infestation (and to prevent future infestations), it\u2019s helpful to know the cause. While many bugs come in from the outside, the German roach is almost always carried in from another place with an infestation. This is usually done through bags, boxes, clothing, or other items. Therefore, it\u2019s important to check everything you bring into your house \u2013 particularly things like that box of hand-me-down clothes your neighbor\u2019s giving away or an old piece of furniture you bought off Craig\u2019s List. I recommend washing used items immediately and checking any old boxes for bugs, droppings, skins, or eggs. When in doubt, toss it out.<\/p>\n
![\"Roaches](\"https:\/\/insightpest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Roaches-on-Outlet-300x169.png\")
Image: Stop Buggn Pest Control Las Vegas via YouTube<\/p><\/div>\n
Sometimes you can be as careful as possible and still get roaches. You can check for signs of an infestation by checking inside kitchen cabinets, under and around ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators, sinks and other cracks and crevices. Roaches mostly congregate around kitchens and bathrooms because of the water and (in the kitchen) food sources.\u00a0 Even if you don\u2019t see a roach, signs of an infestation include feces and skins<\/a> (from molting). German roach droppings will look like flecks of black pepper. It\u2019s a good idea to use a flashlight and be as thorough as possible since roaches like to hide out in darker, secluded areas. Keep in mind that these roaches are nocturnal creatures so there\u2019s a good chance they won\u2019t be active during the day (if you are seeing them in daylight hours that\u2019s a sign there may be a heavier infestation since overcrowding can lead to some roaches having to forage for food during the day).<\/p>\nHow to Get Rid of German Cockroaches \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nSo, your worst fears are confirmed and now you have a German roach infestation. What do you do? In this situation,\u00a0the solution\u00a0we recommend is\u00a0to get\u00a0professional treatment as German roaches are especially difficult to get rid of.\u00a0There are options on the market to treat the roaches yourself, but our experience has shown this usually just contains the problem rather than eliminate it. We highly recommend getting a thorough, professional treatment.<\/p>\n
One thing that will be very helpful, if not critical, is to clean the affected areas. This can\u2019t be overstated. It is very important to clean everywhere you\u2019ve seen the roaches and\/or evidence of roaches. If the infestation is in the kitchen (the most likely scenario), I recommend removing everything \u2013 dishes, toaster, blender, everything. Also, be sure to clean everywhere, especially where there is any kind of grease (which roaches love) or food residue. If you can, pull out appliances like your oven and refrigerator and clean \u201cback there\u201d as well. This is important to do so you can remove residue from food spills that get in places that aren\u2019t regularly cleaned.<\/p>\n
\n<\/i><\/p>\n
- \n
- Description: Light brown and small with parallel stripes located on the back under the head.<\/li>\n
- Length: 1\/2\u2033 \u2013 5\/8\u2033<\/li>\n
- Region Found: German Roaches are found in virtually every climate because they live indoors where a home or building is heated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What is a German Cockroach?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Image: PestWiki.com<\/p><\/div>\n
In the US, the German cockroach is the most common<\/a> type of cockroach found in indoor structures like homes and restaurants. A key distinguishing characteristic of the German roach is the two dark, parallel stripes going down it\u2019s back. This bug<\/a> is about 1\/2 – 1\/3 the length of the larger roach species such as the American or Oriental cockroach and adults measure 1\/2 \u2013 5\/8-inch long. Although the German roach is smaller, it is a far bigger problem than its larger cousins. Why?<\/p>\n
Signs of a German Cockroach Infestation<\/strong><\/h2>\n
These bugs reproduce other roaches. While an American roach\u2019s<\/a> egg capsule (the ootheca, for all you entomology nerds) contains about 14-16 eggs and hatches every 50-55 days; the German roach\u2019s egg capsule contains between 30-48 eggs and hatches every about every 28 days. Thus, a female German roach and her progeny can produce up to 30,000 offspring in a year \u2013 much more than the 800 or so a female American roach may produce.<\/p>\n
Their proclivity for reproduction and the fact that these are primarily indoor pests contributes to why this is the roach that will most frequently infest homes and businesses.\u00a0 Not only are these roaches super creepy, these nasty little buggers also carry diseases and allergens that can cause health problems \u2013 so infestation needs be taken seriously.<\/p>\n
How to Prevent German Cockroach Infestations<\/strong><\/h2>\n
To help combat an infestation (and to prevent future infestations), it\u2019s helpful to know the cause. While many bugs come in from the outside, the German roach is almost always carried in from another place with an infestation. This is usually done through bags, boxes, clothing, or other items. Therefore, it\u2019s important to check everything you bring into your house \u2013 particularly things like that box of hand-me-down clothes your neighbor\u2019s giving away or an old piece of furniture you bought off Craig\u2019s List. I recommend washing used items immediately and checking any old boxes for bugs, droppings, skins, or eggs. When in doubt, toss it out.<\/p>\n
Image: Stop Buggn Pest Control Las Vegas via YouTube<\/p><\/div>\n
Sometimes you can be as careful as possible and still get roaches. You can check for signs of an infestation by checking inside kitchen cabinets, under and around ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators, sinks and other cracks and crevices. Roaches mostly congregate around kitchens and bathrooms because of the water and (in the kitchen) food sources.\u00a0 Even if you don\u2019t see a roach, signs of an infestation include feces and skins<\/a> (from molting). German roach droppings will look like flecks of black pepper. It\u2019s a good idea to use a flashlight and be as thorough as possible since roaches like to hide out in darker, secluded areas. Keep in mind that these roaches are nocturnal creatures so there\u2019s a good chance they won\u2019t be active during the day (if you are seeing them in daylight hours that\u2019s a sign there may be a heavier infestation since overcrowding can lead to some roaches having to forage for food during the day).<\/p>\n
How to Get Rid of German Cockroaches \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
So, your worst fears are confirmed and now you have a German roach infestation. What do you do? In this situation,\u00a0the solution\u00a0we recommend is\u00a0to get\u00a0professional treatment as German roaches are especially difficult to get rid of.\u00a0There are options on the market to treat the roaches yourself, but our experience has shown this usually just contains the problem rather than eliminate it. We highly recommend getting a thorough, professional treatment.<\/p>\n
One thing that will be very helpful, if not critical, is to clean the affected areas. This can\u2019t be overstated. It is very important to clean everywhere you\u2019ve seen the roaches and\/or evidence of roaches. If the infestation is in the kitchen (the most likely scenario), I recommend removing everything \u2013 dishes, toaster, blender, everything. Also, be sure to clean everywhere, especially where there is any kind of grease (which roaches love) or food residue. If you can, pull out appliances like your oven and refrigerator and clean \u201cback there\u201d as well. This is important to do so you can remove residue from food spills that get in places that aren\u2019t regularly cleaned.<\/p>\n
![\"Roach](\"https:\/\/insightpest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Roaches-Talking-281x300.png\")