
Community identification
German Cockroach
Blattella germanica
- Order & Family
- Order: Blattodea; Family: Ectobiidae
- Size
- Commonly 13 to 16 mm (about 1/2 to 5/8 inches) in length.
Natural Habitat
Typically found in indoor environments, especially in warm, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous scavenger that feeds on a wide variety of human food and non-food items including crumbs, grease, glue, and soap.
Behavior Patterns
They are predominantly nocturnal and highly social insects that live in colonies, reproducing rapidly through egg cases called oothecae.
Risks & Benefits
Considered a major pest; they can contaminate food and spread pathogens, and their cast skins and droppings are known to trigger asthma and allergic reactions in humans.