Community identification
German Cockroach
Blattella germanica
- Order & Family
- Order Blattodea, Family Ectobiidae (formerly Blattellidae)
- Size
- 1.1 to 1.6 cm (about 1/2 to 5/8 inch) long.
Natural Habitat
Primarily indoor human-built structures, especially warm, humid areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous scavenger that eats almost anything, including food scraps, grease, starches, glue, and even soap.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and highly gregarious. They reproduce faster than any other residential cockroach; females carry an egg case (ootheca) until just before it hatches.
Risks & Benefits
Significant indoor pest. Risks include spreading pathogens, contaminating food, and producing allergens that can trigger asthma. They offer no benefits to the indoor ecosystem.