German Cockroach- Pest Fact

 

Common name

German Cockroach

Scientific name

Blattella Germanica

Identification

Characteristics

Specifications

Size (Adults)

Approx. 13 – 16 mm

Body shape

6 legs with extended antenna, body is segmented into 3 parts, oval and flat



General body colour

Ranging from tan to brown or black. Has two dark parallel streaks running from the head to the base of wings 

Features

Can emit unpleasant odor when excited or frightened

Wings

Has wings but unable to fly

Others

Often mistaken for Asian cockroach (note that Asian cockroaches have longer wings) 

Pest Behavior 

  • Excellent scavengers
  • Not very tolerant of cold temperatures – will migrate towards warmer areas
  • Most active at night
  • Lifespan of 20 to 30 weeks, females can also produce more than 200 young

General Control Habits/Safety

 

1. Identification
  • Potential habitats – cracks, basements, manholes, hidden corners
  • Female cockroaches will carry the eggs with them, hence it is hard to spot eggs
  • In cases of severe infestations, a characteristic foul odor is detectable

2. General Control Techniques
  • Common treatment methods include gel baiting and spraying 
  • Reduction of food sources and through cleaning will also help to control the population

3. Prevention
  • Practice better hygiene – keep areas clean and free of food and drink spillages 
  • Fill out all cracks and crevices in walls and floors
  • Proper clearing of rubbish (this includes bagging all rubbish securely and disposing of it immediately)

ORIGIN Exterminators is the first pest management company in the world to be awarded ISO 14001 EMS certification