German Roach

Identification

German Roaches are ½ to 5/8 inch long, light brown, 6 legs, antennae almost as long as it’s body, and wings. Males are a little smaller than the females. The egg sacks are yellowish brown in color ¼ to 3/8 inch long, and carries 20 to 40 eggs. As the new born hatch they are about 1/8 inch long and dark brown in color.

Biology

German roaches can live up to 200 days. The female can lay up to 9 egg sacks in her life time, each containing up to 40 eggs. She will carry the egg sack until they are almost ready to hatch. She then will deposit the egg sack in cracks and crevices, in appliances, back behind cabinets, and in furniture.

German Roach with egg sack

German roach with nymph

Habits

The German Roach is the most common household insect in the U.S. They can live through out a home that has water, food, and harboring places or cracks and crevices. German roaches are usually brought into structures in card board boxes, paper products, bags, drink boxes, and items that have been infested from other areas. German roaches come from flea market items, furniture, appliances, tables and other things that have come from structures that have German roaches.

German Roache

German Roaches feed off of all types of foods and products:

Almost all human foods
Dog & Cat food
Glue
Toothpaste
Soap
Cooking Grease
Grains

German roaches feed and move mainly at night. During the day they hide in cracks and crevices, in appliances, between cabinets, in light fixtures, in plumbing voids, behind pictures and wall coverings, underneath sinks, and in furniture near the kitchen, bathroom, and dining areas. Seeing German roaches in the day time is common of huge infestations. They are most commonly seen at night when you enter the kitchen and turn the lights on, you will see them scamper across the counter tops.

Clean, Keep Floor Clear of Debris

Sanitation

Control

Sanitation is the first defense in controlling German roaches. Clean up of grease and food products around the stove, food residue on the counters and floor, bread crumbs in the microwave, food particles in the pantry, food dropped between cabinets and under and behind the refrigerator. Vacuum and mop all the floors cleaning up dead roaches and egg sacks as well as food particles.

Keep all food products in sealed containers. Cereals, spices, and any other opened food products. Fix all water leaks. Keep cabinets clean of clutter, bags, and card board. Keep all dishes washed daily. Keep tables and counters cleaned with soap and water.

At RP Lee Termite & Pest Control a complete inspection is required to identify the type of roach or insect that you are dealing with. After we identify the insect we can provide several options in control and treatment. At RP Lee Termite & Pest Control we have three options: Our Precise Chemical Applications, Organic Pest Control or Green Pest Control. With any of the three we still strongly recommend; sealing of all cracks and crevices, removing all harborage areas, fixing all water leaks, sanitation and removing all food sources that roaches may feed on.