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GERMAN COCKROACH Blatella germanica (larger picture)

Description: German cockroaches are 1/2- to 5/8-inches long when mature, light brown to tan, and have fully developed wings. The pronotum (i.e., shield-like segment behind the head) has two dark parallel bars on it. The adult males are somewhat narrower than the females when viewed from below. The nymphs, 1/8-inch long when they emerge from the egg capsule, are almost uniformly dark except for a light tan area on the back of the second and third segments. As they develop, the light tan area becomes larger until, as mature nymphs, they have two parallel black bars separated by a light tan area. The purse-shaped egg capsule of the German cockroach (i.e., ootheca) is light brown in color, 1/4- to 3/8-inch long, and typically has 15 to 20 eggs per side. Habits: German cockroaches are the most common household insect within the United States. This pest typically infests kitchens and bathrooms but will live anywhere inside heated structures in which there is food, water, and harborage. They rarely are found outdoors and then only during warm weather. German cockroaches gain entry into structures in grocery bags, cardboard boxes, drink cartons, infested equipment such as used refrigerators, toasters, microwaves, etc. Cockroaches feed on all types of human food, as well as on pet food, toothpaste, soap, glue, etc.    German cockroaches are active at night, leaving their harborage to find food and water. They remain hidden in dark, secluded harborage areas, e.g., under cupboards, behind cabinets, in wall voids, and around motor housings in appliances where they spend 75% of their time. At most, only one third of the population forages at night. Observation of foraging cockroaches during the day is a good indication that there is a tremendous population. Cockroaches congregate in harborage sites; but as the population increases, overcrowding forces some of them to relocate.