Bug Identifier
German Cockroach
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.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.