German Cockroaches Pest Control in Toronto

german cockroach
Insect Name: German Cockroach

German Cockroaches: Identification German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) are one of the most common and widespread cockroach species in the world. They are small, light brown to tan in color, with two dark stripes on their pronotum (the shield-like segment behind their head). They have six legs, two long antennae, and a pair of wings, but they rarely fly and prefer to run. They are about 1.2 to 1.6 cm long as adults, and can be as small as a few mm long as nymphs (immature stages). German cockroaches can be distinguished from other cockroach species by their size, color, and markings. They are smaller than American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana), which are reddish-brown and can grow up to 4 cm long. They are also lighter in color than Oriental cockroaches (Blatta orientalis), which are dark brown to black and have a more oval-shaped body. German cockroaches have two dark stripes on their pronotum, while brown-banded cockroaches (Supella longipalpa) have two light-colored bands across their wings and abdomen.

German Cockroaches: Habitat and BehaviourGerman cockroaches are indoor pests that prefer warm and humid environments. They are often found in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other areas where food and water are available. They can also hide in cracks, crevices, appliances, furniture, cabinets, closets, and false ceilings. They are nocturnal and secretive, and usually come out at night to search for food and mates. They can feed on almost anything, including human and pet food, garbage, soap, glue, hair, and even other cockroaches. German cockroaches are highly adaptable and can survive in various conditions. They can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from 0 C to 45 C, but they prefer 20 C to 30 C. They can also survive for up to a month without food, as long as they have access to water. They can even withstand some insecticides by developing resistance or avoiding treated areas.

German cockroaches are also very prolific and can reproduce rapidly. A female cockroach can produce up to eight egg capsules in her lifetime, each containing 30 to 48 eggs. She carries the egg capsule with her until it is ready to hatch, usually within a month. The newly hatched nymphs go through five to six molts before reaching adulthood in about two months. A single female cockroach can produce up to 300 offspring in a year.

German Cockroaches: LifecycleThe lifecycle of a German cockroach consists of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. The duration of each stage depends on factors such as temperature, humidity, food availability, and population density.

Egg: The egg stage is the first stage of the German cockroach life cycle. A female cockroach produces an egg capsule (ootheca) that contains 30 to 48 eggs. The ootheca is brown in color and about 8 mm long. The female carries the ootheca with her until it is ready to hatch, usually within a month. She may deposit the ootheca in a hidden location or glue it to a surface before hatching.

Nymph: The nymph stage is the second stage of the German cockroach life cycle. The nymphs emerge from the ootheca by splitting it open. They are initially white in color, but turn dark brown within a few hours. They look like miniature adults, except they are smaller and lack wings. They go through five to six molts before reaching adulthood in about two months. Each molt is called an instar, and the nymphs grow larger with each instar.

Adult: The adult stage is the final stage of the German cockroach life cycle. The adults have fully developed wings, but they rarely fly and prefer to run. They are light brown to tan in color, with two dark stripes on their pronotum. They are about 1.2 to 1.6 cm long as adults. The adults can live for up to a year under optimal conditions. They are sexually mature within a few weeks after their final molt and can mate several times during their lifespan.

Why Do You Have German Cockroaches in Your House?There are many possible reasons why you have German cockroaches in your house. These roaches are very good at hitchhiking and can enter your house through various ways:

You may have brought them home unknowingly with your groceries, luggage, cardboard boxes, furniture, or other items.

You may have received them from your neighbors or visitors who have infested homes or buildings.

You may have gaps or cracks in your walls, floors, doors, windows, or pipes that allow them to crawl into your house from outside or from adjacent units.

You may have poor sanitation or hygiene practices that attract them to your house. For example, you may leave food crumbs, spills, or garbage lying around, or you may have leaky faucets or pipes that provide them with water.

How Worried Should You Be About German Cockroaches ?You should be very worried about German cockroaches, as they can pose serious health risks to you and your family. These roaches can contaminate your food and surfaces with their feces, saliva, and defensive secretions. They can also carry and transmit various bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and allergens that can cause diseases or allergic reactions. Some of the diseases and conditions that German cockroaches can cause or worsen include:

Food poisoning
Diarrhea
Dysentery
Typhoid fever
Cholera
Salmonellosis
E. coli infection
Staphylococcus infection
Leprosy
Plague
Asthma
Allergic rhinitis
Dermatitis
Conjunctivitis

How Can You Prevent German Cockroaches from Invading ?The best way to prevent German cockroaches from invading your house is to make it less attractive and accessible to them. Here are some tips to help you prevent these roaches from entering and infesting your house:

Seal any gaps or cracks in your walls, floors, doors, windows, or pipes that may allow them to enter your house. You can use caulk, foam, mesh, or other materials to seal these openings.

Inspect any items that you bring into your house for signs of cockroach infestation, such as live or dead roaches, egg capsules, fecal droppings, or cast skins. If you find any evidence of roaches, discard or treat the items before bringing them inside.

Practice good sanitation and hygiene in your house. Keep food in tightly sealed containers, clean up crumbs and spills immediately, avoid leaving dishes in the sink, and store trash in a closed bin. Also, clean and sanitize your kitchen counters, appliances, cabinets, and floors regularly.

Eliminate any sources of water that may attract roaches. Fix any leaky faucets or pipes, wipe up any moisture or condensation, and empty any containers that may collect water.

Reduce clutter and eliminate any potential hiding places for roaches. Remove any unnecessary items from your house, such as cardboard boxes, newspapers, magazines, or clothes. Also, organize and store your belongings in plastic bins or bags that are sealed and labeled.

Do German Cockroaches Bite ?German cockroaches do not usually bite humans, as they prefer to feed on plants and meat. However, in rare cases, they may bite humans if they are starving or if their population is too large. They may bite the fingernails, eyelashes, feet, or hands of sleeping people. Their bites are not venomous or infectious, but they may cause irritation, swelling, or infection. If you experience any symptoms of a cockroach bite, such as pain, redness, itching, or pus formation, you should wash the wound with soap and water and apply an antiseptic cream. You should also consult a doctor if the symptoms persist or worsen.

When to call a german cockroach exterminator?The best is to call us as soon as possible. We service the Greater Toronto Area, call us now 647 849 4441

Call us to speak with our experienced german cockroach exterminator

German Cockroach
PEST CONTROL

GTA Exterminators for german cockroach removal in Toronto

Call us today for german cockroach extermination