German Cockroach

Natural Habitat

Prefer warm, humid, and narrow spaces, commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms of homes, restaurants, and other commercial facilities. They hide in cracks and crevices during the day and emerge at night.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous scavengers. They eat almost anything, including food scraps, grease, pet food, toothpaste, soap, and even glue.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and highly reproductive. Females carry an ootheca (egg case) until it is ready to hatch. They are fast runners and can fly short distances, though they prefer to run. They tend to live in large colonies and are known for their rapid reproduction rate, making infestations difficult to control.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can be vectors for various pathogens, including bacteria (like Salmonella and E. coli) and viruses, potentially contaminating food and surfaces. They can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals through their droppings, shed skins, and saliva. Their presence is generally considered a nuisance and a sign of poor hygiene. Benefits: None for humans; they are a food source for other predators in certain ecosystems.

Identified on: 9/20/2025