INTRODUCTION: The German cockroach is the most
common of the cockroaches. In addition to being a nuisance, it has
been implicated in outbreaks of illness, the transmission of a
variety of pathogenic organisms and allergic reactions in many
people. This species has worldwide distribution.
RECOGNITION: Adults about 1/2"
to 5/8" long, color
light brown to tan. Female darker than male, abdomen broader. Rarely
glide or "fly."
SIMILAR GROUPS: (Adults only).
(1) Asian cockroach with almost identical color pattern, attracted
to lights, flies readily, breeds outdoors in leaf litter, presently
known only from Florida, identification should be confirmed by an
expert.
(2) Brownbanded cockroach and Pennsylvania wood cockroach lack
two dark longitudinal stripes on pronotal
shield.
(3) Field cockroach with a median dark line between eyes on front of
head.
(4) Other cockroaches are either smaller or larger, lack
characteristic pronotal stripes and/or are not associated with
structures.
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BIOLOGY: Adults live about 100
to 200 days. Established/mature
German cockroach populations typically composed of at least 75
percent nymphs.
HABITS: German cockroaches are found throughout
structures but show a preference for warm and humid places. They are
usually found in kitchens and secondarily in bathrooms, but
infestations often occur in rooms where people eat and drink while
watching television such as the den, bedroom, etc. Any crack or
crevice located near a source of food and/or water is prime
harborage, and they spend about 75 percent
of their time in such harborages.
These cockroaches are most commonly introduced into buildings via
paper products or paper packaging such as grocery bags, cardboard
boxes, drink cartons and second-hand
appliances. They have been observed to migrate from building to
building on warm evenings, but this rarely occurs. Although
uncommon, they can survive outdoors during warm months.
They feed on almost anything with nutritive value including all
kinds of food, and such things as soap, glue and toothpaste.
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CONTROL: Follow the standard control procedures,
but more frequent service many be required because of their rapid
reproductive rate. At least 95 percent of
the populations must be eliminated on the initial or clean-out
service, or the typical maintenance program usually fails.
Baits are particularly effective but correct placement along
junctions and/or in cracks and crevices in or near harborages is
essential. Incorporating insect growth regulators
(IGRs) into the service helps with long-term control. Be sure
to follow label directions.
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