German Cockroach

Natural Habitat

Commonly found indoors, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas with food, moisture, and warmth. They prefer cracks, crevices, and dark, secluded spaces.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous scavengers, eating almost anything, including food scraps, grease, starches, sugars, meats, and even non-food items like soap, glue, or toothpaste when food is scarce.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal; they are most active at night, foraging for food and water. They are fast runners and can climb smooth surfaces. Females carry their egg case (ootheca) until just before hatching. They reproduce quickly, leading to rapid infestations.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include spreading pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasitic worms) that can cause food poisoning, dysentery, allergies, and asthma. They can contaminate food and surfaces. They are not known to have direct benefits to humans or the immediate ecosystem they infest.

Identified on: 9/18/2025