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GERMAN COCKROACHES

Nobody, and I mean nobody, loves a roach….except maybe an entomologist!  Well, even for an entomologist love may be too strong a word – even so, as disgusting and repulsive as German cockroaches are, you have to admire them for their tenacity.  They are very well adapted for what they do – unfortunately, that means existing in human dwellings and other buildings!

Here are some weird cockroach facts:

1. Cockroaches are among the oldest groups of insects
2. German cockroaches are cosmopolitan (that is, they occur worldwide)
3. German cockroaches can be linked to allergies and/or asthma
4. German cockroaches will eat almost anything!

German cockroaches are relatively easy to identify.  Adults are about ½ to 5/8 inches long, with two dark longitudinal stripes on the pronotum (the shield-like structure behind the head).  There is an introduced species, the Asian cockroach, which is nearly identical to the German cockroach.  Unlike the German cockroach, however, this species prefers the outdoors and is a strong flier – so if you think you have German cockroaches flying to your lights at night, they are most likely Asian cockroaches.

Life stages of German cockroach (thanks to University of Nebraska Entomology)

The German cockroach hides in cracks, crevices, and voids during the daytime and is active at night.  The appearance of German cockroaches during the day can be an indication of a severe infestation.  Another sign of severe infestations is the characteristic fecal spots left behind by the cockroaches.  They prefer to live in warm, humid locations.  Like other living organisms, German cockroaches need food and water to survive – but several professionals (including myself!) believe that the primary contributing factor to persistent German cockroach infestations is harborage, often linked to clutter.

Your Black Pest Prevention Technician is trained to recognize contributing factors and work with you to make your home less attractive to these pests.  I cannot overstate the importance of customer cooperation in an effective German cockroach elimination program.  Some common conditions that may be linked to infestations are listed below:

1. Plumbing leaks provide needed water
2. Foods (including grease, crumbs below appliances, etc.) must be cleaned up
3. Fecal spots must be removed by thorough cleaning; look in corners, under sinks, in cabinets, on and around cabinet hinges, and other out of the way areas
4. Gaps, crevices, and plumbing penetrations should be permanently sealed (also pay attention to things like loose veneer, hanging items, and other areas that provide narrow cracks)
5. Clutter must be removed.  Common sites that German cockroaches love to hide include stacked cardboard boxes and paper bags, piles of rags, piles of newspapers, and cluttered cabinets
6. Do not leave food or water out for extended periods of time

Chemical treatment alone is not a sustainable solution for German cockroach problems.  An integrated pest management approach - including sanitation and removal of clutter in addition to judicious chemical application - will provide faster, longer lasting control.  It’s important to understand that German cockroaches do not need an abundance of food or water to survive – very little will go a long way – so an infestation is not an automatic indication of a dirty home.  One female cockroach hitching a ride in the cuff of your pants or a grocery bag can lead to an infestation.  A little understanding of German cockroach biology and a willingness to cooperate with your pest prevention professional can go a long way toward curing the problem.

As always, thanks for reading!  Next time, I will discuss some interesting aspects of termites.