Bug Identifier
German Cockroach (nymph)
Community identification

German Cockroach (nymph)

Blattella germanica

Order & Family
Order: Blattodea; Family: Ectobiidae
Size
Nymphs range from 2 mm to 10 mm; adults reach 13 mm to 16 mm (approx. 0.5 to 0.6 inches).
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Typically found indoors in climate-controlled environments. They prefer warm, humid areas close to food and water, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that eat almost anything, including human food, pet food, crumbs, trash, grease, and even non-food items like soap, glue, or toothpaste.

Behavior Patterns

Primarily nocturnal insects that hide in cracks and crevices during the day. They are highly social, reproducing rapidly; the stage shown in the image is a nymph (immature), indicated by the dark coloring and light-colored stripe on its back.

Risks & Benefits

Significant indoor pests. They can carry pathogens (like Salmonella and E. coli) on their bodies and spread them to surfaces. Their droppings and shed skins are known triggers for allergies and asthma, particularly in children.