What Do German Cockroaches Look Like?
The German cockroach is the most common cockroach species in Wisconsin. These roaches are one of the most challenging pests to exterminate due to their fast reproduction rate. A single female and her offspring can produce over 30,000 offspring in a year! German cockroaches are light brown and have two dark brown stripes on the pronotum behind their head. They have six long spiny legs, two antennae, and a pair of wings, and are about 1/2 inches long. German cockroaches are a major pest problem in restaurants, food processing facilities, supermarkets, and apartment buildings.
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What are the Signs of a German Cockroach Infestation?
German cockroaches are domestic cockroaches, which means they typically do not live outside but rely solely on conditions created in our homes and buildings for survival. These roaches prefer warm, humid spaces near food and water, including dishwashers, sinks, refrigerators, and pantries. German cockroaches are excellent hitchhikers and are often brought indoors on infested furniture or packages. Garages, utility lines, and gaps around doors and windows are also common entryways.
Seeing a Cockroach
German cockroaches are nocturnal, so you’ll most likely spot them at night. These roaches are sensitive to light and are very fast. They will immediately scurry into a dark crevice when a light is turned on. If you happen to spot a cockroach, there is a good possibility that there may be more present. German cockroaches are social insects that live in groups.
Cockroach Droppings
German cockroach droppings look like ground pepper or coffee grounds and are usually found in spots where the roach feeds and spends a lot of time, such as drawers, pantries, and cupboards. Their fecal matter may even cause dark smear stains along baseboards, walls, and doors.
Cockroach Eggs
German cockroaches produce a protective egg sac called an ootheca. The egg sac is encased in a hard protective casing shaped like a bean. Their egg capsules are roughly 1/3 inches long and are brown in color. Each ootheca holds about 30-40 eggs. German cockroaches are prolific breeders, producing multiple generations of roaches per year. The young will hatch in less than a month. A single female German cockroach and her offspring can produce over 30,000 offspring in a year! The egg cases are commonly found under kitchen cabinets or sinks.
Cockroach Odor
German cockroaches produce a chemical called an “aggregation pheromone.” The roaches congregate in groups due to the smell of this chemical, which gives off a “musty” smell. As the cockroach population starts to grow, people may begin to notice this odor.
Are German Cockroaches Dangerous?
German cockroaches spread diseases, contaminate food and utensils, and reproduce rapidly. These filthy pests spread harmful bacteria, causing food poisoning, dysentery, diarrhea, and other illnesses. These roaches can lay 40 eggs at a time, and cockroach infestations grow quickly! German cockroaches can also cause allergic reactions, causing sneezing, nasal congestion, and asthma.
German Cockroach Control in Milwaukee, WI
Advanced Wildlife and Pest Control offers professional cockroach control services in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin. Our certified cockroach exterminators provide reliable, long-lasting solutions to eliminate German cockroaches from your home or business. Our targeted pest treatments and recurring maintenance services will ensure your property remains pest-free throughout the year.