Insect of the Month

German Cockroach (Blattella germanica)

Description

Adults: Adults are 15 mm (0.625 inches) long. Light brown in color with two prominent black stripes running down the broad shield (pronotum) behind the head.

Eggs: Eggs are contained inside a capsule-like structure, made by the females, called an ootheca. Females carry the ootheca until it is within 1 to 2 days of hatching, and then deposit it in a protected location. A female may produce 4 to 8 ootheca in her lifetime with average 30 – 40 eggs per ootheca.

Larvae: Cockroaches undergo incomplete metamorphosis and do not have a larval stage. Young cockroaches are referred to as nymphs. Newly hatched nymphs range in color from cream/tan to black/brown and tend to resemble the adults more closely as they reach maturity.

Pupae: There are no pupae in the German cockroach life cycle due to incomplete metamorphosis.

Life Cycle

Developmental time from egg to adult varies from 54 days to 215 days depending upon temperature and humidity., Generally, it takes 50 to 60 days for an egg to develop into an adult. Adults live 100 to 200 days.

Damage & Detection

Warm and humid areas are preferred but infestations can occur in many structural areas. Kitchens, locker rooms, and bathrooms are the most infested areas. The insects themselves are often visible in infested areas as well as fecal spots in and near harborage areas.

Fun Facts

  • Similar species include American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis), smokey brown cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa), and brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa).
  • Spread filth and germs from unsanitary places like sewers, garbage, damp areas onto food supplies and food prep surfaces.
  • Can carry a wide variety of protozoa and other microorganisms which may occasionally spread disease to humans.
  • Excrement and cast skins can cause allergic reactions.
  • Usually not associated with severe illnesses or disease outbreaks.

At Agserv, we have a wide range of traps, baits, lures, gels and equipment to effectively kill German Cockroaches including: