What Is German Cockroaches?

German cockroaches are one of the most problematic pest cockroach species commonly found in homes, offices, factories, restaurants, cafes, and stores in Australia. These pests multiply quickly, move freely on your property, and create a nuisance.

While removing them from your home isn’t impossible, the task can be daunting. At Tom’s Pest Control, we have a team of experts who can take care of your property’s cockroach control needs. By implementing the right pest control strategies, we can quickly get you the desired results.

German Cockroaches

Adult German Cockroaches

Baby German Cockroaches

Baby German Cockroaches Around Egg Case

Juvenile German Cockroaches

Juvenile German Cockroaches

How German Cockroaches Enter Your Home?

German cockroaches take over your kitchen once they are in your home. It is common for them to be brought home from shops in grocery bags, cardboard boxes, and packaging of various products.

If you are shifting furniture from your old home to your new one, there are chances of them being transferred through your furniture, electrical appliances, and other personal belongings. Once these pests come to a new location and find a favourable condition to live in, they reproduce in large numbers and increase their population quickly.

Identification

These cockroaches are small and have a tan or light brown colour. They have two distinct dark brown lines along the edge of their body and are known to grow between 13-16mm in length. Though these cockroaches are smaller than the other types, they are considered the fastest of all, making them difficult to detect.

Life Cycle

The egg capsule of female cockroaches contains 30 – 48 eggs. These eggs are ready to hatch in a month; once ready, the females attach the capsule in a dark space to allow the young to emerge safely. The nymphs develop into adult cockroaches in six weeks to six months. Each female German Cockroach can produce up to 20,000 cockroaches annually.

Behaviour and Adaptations

The German Cockroach has adapted to a wide range of climates, making them one of the most common pests known. Their behaviour is often related to their need for shelter, food and water, as these are essential elements for the survival of the species. They move about in large groups and reproduce quickly when conditions are favourable.

As such, they prefer dark and humid places such as kitchens and bathrooms. Even though they avoid light exposure, when cornered they can be surprisingly fast runners and climbers! Knowing this helps us to better understand their behaviour and design better methods that can reduce or stop their presence in our homes and offices.

Dangers to Humans

German cockroaches can pick up germs on their leg spines as they crawl through decaying matter and transfer them to food and other common surfaces that humans touch often.

As a result, they can spread bacteria, parasitic worms, and human pathogens that may lead to disease transmission. Cockroaches also trigger allergies and asthma symptoms through saliva, droppings, and decomposing bodies.

Rely on Tom’s Pest Control

Call us if you are searching for an expert and trustworthy pest control company to remove cockroaches from your home. Our expertise and experience allow us to cater to all the pest control needs of your property, no matter how big or small they are.

At Tom’s Pest Control, we adopt effective and safe methods to remove cockroaches from your property. So, whether your home has kids or pets, you can be sure our pest control treatments won’t harm them.

When you hire us to remove cockroaches from your property, we implement a four-stage procedure to deliver the best possible results. We first inspect your property to understand the extent of the infestation, based on which we create a treatment plan.

We then carry out the extermination using the right product and methods. Finally, at the end of the treatment, we share helpful prevention tips to help prevent cockroaches from returning to your property.

Contact Us

If you want to end your cockroach problem, do not hesitate to call us now!

FAQs

What Do German Cockroaches Eat?

German Cockroaches feed on anything from food scraps to grease and sugars found in kitchens and bathrooms. They also prefer starchy foods like rice, potatoes, and cereal. These critters can go about 12 days without water and about 42 days without food.

Where Will I Find German Cockroaches in My House?

German cockroaches can be found in areas with easy access to food and water. For example, you can find them in the kitchen and bathroom drains, crevices, and air ducts. It is also possible to spot them in cupboards where you have stored food.

What Are the Signs of a German Cockroach Infestation?

The following signs can identify a German cockroach infestation:

  • Cockroaches are seen during the day (usually a sign of large populations)
  • A musty or unpleasant odour 
  • Small black droppings that look like ground pepper
  • Dark stains on surfaces below where cockroaches have been feeding and resting 
  • Egg capsules that are oval and usually found in dark, moist areas 
  • Live or dead roaches in drawers, cabinets, sink drains, or any other area that has food or water 

If you notice any of these signs, acting quickly is essential, as a German cockroach infestation can spread rapidly.