Close up of a German cockroach - roach control services with Kona Coast Pest Control in Kailua Kona

German Cockroach

Actual Size: 1/2 to 5/8″

Characteristics: Pale brown with two dark longitudinal stripes behind the head.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: Yes, but rarely fly.

Habitat: Thrives in humid, warm environments. Often found in residential and commercial kitchens and bathrooms, particularly in areas where people consume food.

Habits:

  • Both males and females have wings but do not fly.
  • Live in large colonies as they reproduce rapidly.
  • Does not live outdoors and completely relies on human environments for survival.


German Cockroaches in Kailua Kona

The German cockroach is the most common cockroach found in homes, apartments, supermarkets, food processing plants, and restaurants worldwide.  Ships, including cruise ships and naval vessels, are susceptible to significant infestations. These roaches commonly infest residential and commercial kitchens, as well as bathrooms, due to their warm and humid environments. If an infestation gets large enough, it will spread and infest other areas of the home or building. They are known for their rapid reproduction, claiming the title of the fastest reproducer of the common cockroaches. A single female and her descendants can produce over 30,000 descendants within a year.

German Cockroach Habitat

German cockroaches are mostly found in kitchens, bathrooms, or locations with regular water access. When sanitation is poor, these roaches can extend their usual habitat throughout a structure where sufficient food, water, and shelter are available. Their favorite hiding places include wooden and paper materials and electrical equipment. German cockroaches are commonly found hidden in cabinets, drawers, beneath sinks, and inside heat-producing appliances like dishwashers, microwaves, and coffee makers.

German Cockroach Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

While German cockroaches are not known to bite humans, they serve as potential vectors of disease, depositing germs or bacteria in the areas they inhabit. Additionally, these roaches can trigger allergic reactions by leaving fecal matter and cast skin around homes, leading to skin rashes, watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, and asthma. In addition to the health concerns, German cockroach infestations may induce psychological stress in humans. The social stigma associated with a cockroach infestation at home can change homeowners’ behavior, resulting in reduced socializing and avoidance of kitchen and bathroom areas at night to evade encounters with these pests.

German cockroaches can multiply rapidly, which means that a cockroach infestation should be addressed immediately by a professional cockroach exterminator.