German cockroach
The German cockroach is a small species of cockroach, typically about 1.1 to 1.6 cm long. In colour it varies from tan to almost black, and it has two dark, roughly parallel, streaks on the pronotum running anteroposteriorly from behind the head to the base of the wings. Although B. germanica ha…
What is the difference between American cockroach and German cockroach?
American roaches are reddish-brown, whereas German roaches are brown colored. The American cockroach is of a reddish-brown color with a yellowish-colored pattern of 8-figure on the back of its head.
Where do German cockroaches live?
Most German roaches reside in temperate climates, where they find shelter near heat-producing structures. Of all the cockroach species in the world, German cockroaches are more likely to inhabit human-built structures vs. American cockroaches. German roaches will live anywhere that’s warm, safe, and close to the resources they need to survive.
Are American cockroaches the biggest pests in the US?
American cockroaches are the largest home-invading species in the United States. In fact, when you compare German vs. American cockroaches, their size is one of the biggest differences. They’re sometimes referred to as waterbugs and frequently misidentified as the Palmetto bug. Whatever you call them, these pests are some of the most intimidating.
Why are German cockroaches so difficult to control?
Another problem in controlling German cockroaches is the nature of their population behavior. Though they are not social and practice no organized maternal care, females carry oothecae of 18-50 eggs (average about 32) during incubation until just before hatching, instead of dropping them as most other species of cockroaches do.
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What states have German cockroaches?
Because of their resilience, rapid reproduction, and preference for warmer climates, German roaches are a common problem in households and businesses across the states of Georgia and South Carolina. They are generally more troublesome than their larger cousins, the American Cockroach.
Are American or German cockroaches worse?
The German cockroach is considered to be the worst species of cockroach for many reasons. Their long, dark antenna and light brown to tan coloration make them difficult to spot scuttling around in dark, cluttered areas of a home.
How did German roaches get to America?
Juan Ponce de Leon was a likely host, and his timing corresponds with entomologists' theories: The Spanish explorer, who accompanied Columbus on his second voyage, aimed for present-day Florida and disembarked there in 1513 -- possibly escorting cockroaches to the U.S. mainland.
Are German cockroaches only in Germany?
Where Did They Come From? Interestingly enough, the German Cockroach did mot originate in Germany. More than likely, this roach (like many others) originated in Southeast Asia. These roaches began to spread throughout the world as exploration and travel become more prevalent.
What is the hardest roach to get rid of?
German cockroachesGerman cockroaches are notoriously difficult to control. They breed and spread with dizzying speed, survive on very little, and don't give up without a fight.
Is there a Queen roach?
Is there a queen roach? Cockroaches are not truly social insects (like honey bees or termites). As such, they do not have a queen. However, they are considered 'gregarious' and tend to congregate during rest times (generally the daytime).
What attracts German cockroach?
With German cockroaches, what attracts them is food debris. When dealing with these scavengers, the number one thing to do is remove their access to food. Go through your pantries and cupboards to make sure that there's no food or crumbs out in the open and keep everything bone dry — no water.
What is the fastest way to get rid of German roaches?
We recommend using gel baits, non-repellent insecticides, dust baits, roach bait stations, insect growth regulators (IGR), select dust and roach pheromone traps for residential and commercial areas. Very often, high levels of control can be achieved by baits alone for the typical homeowner.
What is the lifespan of a German cockroach?
five to seven monthsThe German cockroach typically lives for five to seven months after reaching adulthood. During their adult lives, female German cockroaches each produce about seven or eight egg cases, with an average of 350 offspring per cockroach.
Do German roaches crawl on you at night?
At night, cockroaches crawl on humans. They are inclined to seek warm, humid environments. Also, they are fond of the soft tissues of the human body. Thus, if there is a chance for the cockroach to crawl on you, they will most likely do so.
How hard is it to get rid of German roaches?
Rapid Infestation Because they reproduce rapidly, infestations quickly become severe. German cockroaches are hardy and fast and have few natural predators inside human habitats. For these reasons, their populations tend to grow rapidly and can be hard to get rid of, often requiring professional treatment.
Why are there no cockroaches in the UK?
Of the 3,000+ species in the world, only 4 are commonly found in Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The German, oriental, American, and brown banded cockroach can all be found in the United Kingdom. Due to the often harsh and cold weather, their population is limited.
Are American roaches hard to get rid of?
One common pest homeowners might encounter is the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), a fast and flying insect that can quickly and efficiently infest an area, becoming difficult to remove and get rid of.
Can American cockroaches infest your home?
These pests can also infest homes by easily passing underneath doors lacking weather stripping or entering through basement windows and garages. Once inside a residence, American cockroaches usually make their way into the kitchen, bathroom, basement or laundry room in search of food and water.
What is the difference between American roaches and German roaches?
German cockroaches tend to be much smaller at about half an inch long. Appearance: German cockroaches are tan with dark, parallel lines running from their heads to the ends of their wings. On the other hand, the American cockroach is reddish-brown with a thorax edged in faded yellow.
What time of year are roaches the worst?
As long as the temperature indoors is above 50 degrees, roaches can remain active year-round, although they are more prevalent in the spring and summer months.
Where Do German Cockroaches Come From?
Originally thought to have been a European cockroach, the German cockroach is now believed to have come from Southeast Asia. And it likely spread here and elsewhere the same way it gets into homes now – by hitchhiking inside of things.
What is a German cockroach?
German cockroach images. The German cockroach is an aggressive cockroach species that infests homes in the United States, Canada, and across the world. It’s a very small cockroach, growing to around a half inch long (about the diameter of a penny). German cockroaches have wings but don’t use them to fly.
How many roaches can a female roach produce?
One female roach can produce as many as 400 cockroaches in its lifetime. These egg cases hatch in about a month. The baby German cockroach or cockroach nymph that emerges goes through several stages as it grows to adulthood (most frequently about 6 ), molting each time and leaving old skin behind.
Why are German cockroaches dangerous?
German cockroaches are particularly dangerous pests because of their ability to access food items in cabinets and pantries and their tendency to carry serious diseases. These cockroaches contaminate leftovers and stored food with bodily secretions and droppings. Their droppings might also create an unpleasant odor, signaling contamination.
What is the only cockroach that skitters on the floor?
The German roach isn’t the only small golden cockroach to skitter across your kitchen floor however. The less common but equally tiny Asian cockroach has nearly identical coloring and markings, and side-by-side you’ll have difficulty distinguishing the two.
How many cockroaches can a female roach have?
Their egg capsules, called oothecae, contain 18-50 eggs, with an average of about 32. One female roach can produce as many as 400 cockroaches in its lifetime.
How do German roaches spread?
German roaches spread antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are carried on their legs and abdomens by walking across cooking surfaces, countertops, sinks and bathtubs. They’re especially dangerous in stores and restaurants where food is everywhere; a German cockroach infestation there can ruin a business’s reputation.
Where did the German cockroach originate?
Previously thought to be a native of Europe, the German cockroach later was considered to have emerged from the region of Ethiopia in Northeast Africa, but more recent evidence suggests that it actually originated in Southeast Asia.
Where do cockroaches live?
The German cockroach occurs widely in human buildings, but is particularly associated with restaurants, food processing facilities, hotels, and institutional establishments such as nursing homes. In cold climates, they occur only near human dwellings, because they cannot survive severe cold. Though they would soon die in the outdoors on their own, German cockroaches have been found as inquilines ("tenants") of human buildings as far north as Alert, Nunavut. Similarly, they have been found as far south as southern Patagonia.
What is the species of cockroach?
Genus: Blattella. Species: B. germanica. Binomial name. Blattella germanica. Linnaeus, 1767. The German cockroach ( Blattella germanica) is a small species of cockroach, typically about 1.1 to 1.6 cm (0.43 to 0.63 in) long. In color it varies from tan to almost black, and it has two dark, roughly parallel, streaks on the pronotum running ...
How do German cockroaches reproduce?
The German cockroach reproduces faster than any other residential cockroach, growing from egg to reproductive adult in roughly 50 – 60 days under ideal conditions. Once fertilized, a female German cockroach develops an ootheca in her abdomen. The abdomen swells as her eggs develop, until the translucent tip of the ootheca begins to protrude from the end of her abdomen, and by that time the eggs inside are fully sized, about 1/4 inch long with 16 segments. The ootheca, at first translucent, soon turns white and then within a few hours it turns pink, progressively darkening until, some 48 hours later, it attains the dark red-brown of the shell of a chestnut. The ootheca has a keel-like ridge along the line where the young emerge, and curls slightly towards that edge as it completes its maturation. A small percentage of the nymphs may hatch while the ootheca is still attached to the female, but the majority emerge some 24 hours after it has detached from the female's body. The newly hatched 3-mm-long black nymphs then progress through six or seven instars before becoming sexually mature, but ecdysis is such a hazardous process that nearly half the nymphs die of natural causes before reaching adulthood. Molted skins and dead nymphs are soon eaten by living nymphs present at the time of molting.
How big is a German cockroach?
German cockroach. The German cockroach ( Blattella germanica) is a small species of cockroach, typically about 1.1 to 1.6 cm (0.43 to 0.63 in) long . In color it varies from tan to almost black, and it has two dark, roughly parallel, streaks on the pronotum running anteroposteriorly from behind the head to the base of the wings.
How long does it take for an ootheca to hatch?
A small percentage of the nymphs may hatch while the ootheca is still attached to the female, but the majority emerge some 24 hours after it has detached from the female's body.
What do German cockroaches eat?
Diet. German cockroaches are omnivorous scavengers. They are attracted particularly to meats, starches, sugars, and fatty foods. Where a shortage of foodstuff exists, they may eat household items such as soap, glue, and toothpaste. In famine conditions, they turn cannibalistic, chewing at each other's wings and legs.
Where do German cockroaches live?
German cockroaches are commonly found indoors in warm and moist places with a consistent food source. Kitchens, bathrooms and basements are their favorites, hiding out in drains, cabinets and appliances.
How big do German cockroaches get?
Much smaller than the American cockroach, the German cockroach grows to less than an inch long, sporting a light-brownish or tannish coloration. With two black stripes on its back, six legs and a pair of antennas, this roach scurries quickly from to place to place. Although they do have wings, they rarely use them to fly.
What is the most common cockroach?
The German cockroach ( Blattella germanica) is the most common species of cockroach worldwide, taking residence in people’s homes, restaurants, nursing homes and hotels.
How long does it take for a German cockroach to grow?
With such a short lifespan, infestations grow quickly since the German cockroach can go from egg to adult in less than ninety days. With females reproducing often and in large amounts, along with a fast metamorphosis, the German cockroach can cause more problems for people than any other roach.
Can German cockroaches be controlled?
With their quick and efficient reproductive cycles, the German cockroach is difficult to control. It only takes a few surviving eggs to replenish an infestation. If your efforts appear unsuccessful, consult with a professional exterminator to provide a plan and solutions unique to your home or business.
Do German cockroaches live indoors?
German Cockroach Behaviors. Unlike some of their counterparts, German cockroaches prefer living indoors. In warm and tropical areas, they will spend more time outdoors. But with an inability to survive harsh and colder environments, expect to find them near or in human structures to live and reproduce.
German Cockroach vs. American Cockroach: How Do They Differ?
German cockroaches are the most common species in many areas of the world. They have a more cylindrical body shape and dark brown coloring. On the other hand, American cockroaches come in a variety of darker colors with large bodies and wings extending beyond their tail end.
The Appearance of German Cockroach vs. Appearance of American Cockroach in Terms of Size and Other Characteristics?
German and American cockroaches are two different types of roach pests that you can easily distinguish from one another. The German cockroach is small, brown in color, with a light-colored head, whereas the American roach species has more rounded bodies when compared to its smaller counterparts.
Where You Will Find German and American Cockroaches: Their Habitat
German roaches are often found in the dark, damp areas of homes and offices. Unlike the darker American variety, they can be identified by their lighter coloration. German roaches tend to live for about four to six months, whereas American ones can survive for up to a year.
When German and American Cockroaches Invade Your Home
The German cockroach is more likely to invade your home than the American cockroach. While both are pests, the German roach has a shorter lifespan but generally reproduces faster than American roaches.
Pest Control of German vs. Pest Control of American Cockroaches
The German cockroach is known for having a shorter lifespan and a smaller size. American cockroaches are known as “common roaches” because they spread more easily, live longer, and can become a significant pest in many households.
Common Roach Infestation Signs
Cockroaches are nocturnal and often hide during the day. However, it is possible to spot just one cockroach without an infestation occurring in your home. It’s also possible for them to wander into your home from outside.
What Attracts Roaches?
Almost all species of cockroaches are attracted to a dirty and unhygienic environment. However, more specifically, cockroaches are also attracted to specific types of food items.
What is the difference between American roaches and German roaches?
American roaches are reddish-brown, whereas German roaches are brown colored.
How long do German cockroaches live?
Lifespan. German cockroaches can flourish from a hundred to up to two hundred days; they undergo three phases of transition in their lives, namely, egg, nymph, and adult. To a great extent, their lifespan is also dependent on the temperature of their surroundings and their diet.
Why are roaches bad?
Irrespective of whether it’s American roaches or German roaches, an infestation of any kind is bad because once inside, these buggers are tough to eliminate.
How many eggs do German roaches lay?
The population of German roaches multiplies rapidly as they lay fifty eggs at once, contained in an ootheca.
How many roach eggs are in an American capsule?
On the other hand, an American capsule contains merely sixteen roach eggs.
What are the main foods that German roaches eat?
Fatty foods and items containing starch form a significant part of German roaches’ diet; other items in their food include meat and sugary foods. As a result, due to their dependence on both kinds of proteins, they fall under the category of omnivorous scavengers.
How to tell if German roaches are infested?
To detect its activity, the German roach’s droppings are sufficient to indicate that the area around which they are found is likely to be infested.
Where do German cockroaches live?
They are usually found in kitchens, bathrooms, and other secluded areas (that provide food, shelter, and water) like behind and under appliances, in cracks and crevices, behind and under cabinets, in drawers, wall voids, around plumbing, etc. These roaches particularly love hiding out in appliance motors (i.e., refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers).
Where did cockroaches originate?
Cockroaches are estimated to have been around for some hundreds of millions of years. German cockroaches actually originated in Southeast Asia, and were introduced into Europe around the end of the 13th Century via explorers and traders going back and forth between the two continents. Later, during the exploration and colonization of the Americas, these little invaders made it over here to this side of the world. Which brings us to dealing with them today.
Do American Roaches Infest?
American cockroaches most commonly live in dark, damp areas like sewers, steam tunnels, storm drains, as well as in tree holes and damp landscap ing and vegeta tion. They like to feed on rotting organic materials as well as on a variety of other types of food and non-food items.
What is the most common roach in a house?
German Cockroaches (Blattella germanica). German roaches (also known as "kitchen roaches") are the most common cockroach species in homes and apartments. They are small, lighter brown cockroaches, about 1/2" to 5/8" in length. They live practically their entire lives indoors, and have two distinct stripes running down their bodies. Since German cockroaches love kitchens so much, one concern you should have as a homeowner is their bacteria-ridden presence in and around food and areas designated for food preparation.
How long does it take for a cockroach to get out of your house?
Cockroach infestations in general typically take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks to eliminate. Keeping up with prevention methods and consistent treatments is key for making roaches feel unwelcome in your home.
What is the best way to kill cockroaches?
Cockroaches can be spot-treated and killed directly by spraying them with an effective plant-powered roach killer spray like Maggie's Farm Ant & Roach Killer Spray or Maggie’s Farm Home Bug Spray. Maggie's Farm Roach Killer Gel , Maggie's Farm Spider & Insect Dust, or Maggie’s Farm Bed Bug Killer are longer-lasting treatments for out-of the-way areas where you've seen roach activity including underneath counter tops, inside cabinets, in wall voids, etc.
Is One Roach a Sign of Infestation?
If you have cockroaches at home, depending on the size of the infestation, they may make allergy and asthmatic symptoms worse. And once you have a few cockroaches indoors, you can have an infestation that grows to several hundred to thousands more in a relatively short period of time. Keep in mind that they are difficult to get rid of once they've established a presence in your home.
Overview
The German cockroach (Blattella germanica), colloquially known as the croton bug, is a species of small cockroach, typically about 1.1 to 1.6 cm (0.43 to 0.63 in) long. In color it varies from tan to almost black, and it has two dark, roughly parallel, streaks on the pronotum running anteroposteriorly from behind the head to the base of the wings. Although B. germanica has wings, it can barely fly, alt…
Biology and pest status
The German cockroach occurs widely in human buildings, but is particularly associated with restaurants, food processing facilities, hotels, and institutional establishments such as nursing homes and hospitals. They can survive outside as well, though they are not commonly found in the wild. In cold climates, they occur only near human dwellings, because they cannot survive severe cold. However, German cockroaches have been found as inquilines ("tenants") of human building…
Diet
German cockroaches are omnivorous scavengers. They are attracted particularly to meats, starches, sugars, and fatty foods. Where a shortage of foodstuff exists, they may eat household items such as soap, glue, and toothpaste. In famine conditions, they turn cannibalistic, chewing at each other's wings and legs. The German cockroach is an intermediate host of the Acanthocephalan parasite Moniliformis kalahariensis.
Reproduction
The German cockroach reproduces faster than any other residential cockroach, growing from egg to reproductive adult in roughly 50 – 60 days under ideal conditions. Once fertilized, a female German cockroach develops an ootheca in her abdomen. The abdomen swells as her eggs develop, until the translucent tip of the ootheca begins to protrude from the end of her abdomen, and by that time the eggs inside are fully sized, about 1/4 inch long with 16 segments. The oothe…
Pest control
The German cockroach is very successful at establishing an ecological niche in buildings, and is resilient in the face of many pest-control measures. Reasons include:
• lack of natural predators in a human habitat
• prolific reproduction
Genome
The genome of the German cockroach was published in February 2018 in Nature Ecology and Evolution. The relatively large genome (2.0 Gb) harbours a very high number of proteins, of which most notably one group of chemoreceptors, called the ionotropic receptors, is particularly numerous. These chemoreceptors possibly allow the German cockroach to detect a broad range of chemical cues from toxins, food, pathogens, and pheromones.
See also
• Blattellaquinone, a sex pheromone of the German cockroach
External links
• German cockroach on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site
• German cockroach fact sheet from the Penn State Extension