Cockroach Biology
German cockroaches are brown to dark brown in colour. They have two well-defined parallel stripes running the length of their pronotum. The sexes can be identified by the more slim body of the male. Adults are about ½-inch in length. German roaches are the most widespread of all cockroaches in Canada. They complete their lifecycle in about 100 days, and they reproduce continuously. Underfitting conditions, it has been estimated that one female German cockroach can be the cause of a population explosion of over 1 million. German cockroaches are usually found in and around homes, apartment buildings, grocery stores, restaurants, and similar industrial facilities. They favour areas near food, moisture, and warmth. German cockroaches usually litter food or food products with their excretions and defensive discharges. They also physically transmit and often withhold pathogenic diseases, and in some cases, may cause severe allergic reactions
Cockroach Control
The German cockroach is very successful at building an ecological habitat in buildings and is very resilient against attempts at pest control. This is because of a large number of nymphs produced from each egg case, the short period between birth and sexual maturity, and their ability to easily hide due to their small size. The female also carries the egg case (called an ootheca) with her during the germination period, rather than depositing it like other species. This cockroach is even smaller than many other species, so it can more easily hide and fit into tiny cracks and crevices to evade humans. That is also the main reason they can most effectively be controlled with spray and dusting in cracks and crevices near harborages. These types of pest control methods should kill 95% of the overall population in a property due to their fast reproductive cycles. Orbis Pest Control uses “Low Risk” products, which only affect the cockroaches and have no effect on mammals, birds, fish, and other non-target organisms.
Condition Identification
Identification of the existence of German cockroaches is essential in implementing long term control. German cockroaches thirve in conditions including shelter, water and food. Elimination of any or all of these things restrict the likelihood of primary as well as a recurring infestations. Areas of special concern may be kitchens and bathrooms. Proper sanitation practices and as well as sealing of cracks and crevices.