German Roaches are light brown to tan and the adults grow up to about ½” to 5/8” in length. Although the adults have fully developed wings they do not fly. It is a widespread household pest. They feed on any food sources available including grease, soap and the binding of books. They can survive without food for up to 30 days, but will die from dehydration if they do not have moisture for more than two weeks.

How do they get in the house?

German roaches are excellent “hitchhikers”; commonly they are brought into the house with paper products, cardboard boxes, grocery bags, used appliances and, in rare cases, clothing.            Rarely do German roaches migrate from building to building or come from the outside. However this can happen in any multi-housed buildings as they nest in the walls and walls are shared in such units.

How do I know I have them?

German cockroaches feces appear as a small, dark, “pepper-like” substance which you will find around the corners of rooms, on countertops, and in small cracks and openings. In a serious infestation they may secrete an musty odor.  They are mostly active at night when they are looking for food, water and mates. In a residence, they hide in cracks, crevices and where the environment is warm and humid.  They tend to be under and/or in  refrigerators (or in the motor area of the fridge),  stoves, microwaves, toasters, under table tops, cabinets, behind or under sinks, in switchboxes and electrical outlets, and any other areas where it may be dark and moist.

Gestation cycle of German roaches…

The females produce egg capsules that are less than 1/4″ long in the sack it contains about 30 to 48 eggs. They take about 28 days to hatch, depending on temperature and humidity. It takes the roach about 6 to 20 weeks to fully mature and the average life span is 20 to 30 weeks.