subject: German Roach [print this page] You can find german roaches in any corner of the world. Able to survive on things like newspaper or the glue of an envelope allows them to be successful in just about any situation. Unable to fly their distribution relies mainly on their habit of hiding in boxes or bags of groceries. This allows them to be transported wherever the package is going and once there they can easily adapt to their new environment. They need very little food to survive so even the cleanest of homes is not out of the question.
Part of their survival depends on their keen sense of detection. They do have eyes but it is their antenna that they use to pick up even just a trace of chemicals that could cause their death. They also use them to find sources of food and moisture as well as their nests or other roaches. Not only do they have these detectors on top of their heads but they also have a small pair on the abdomen. These are called cerci and are used to detect differences in the air. When a person enters a room the roach knows it by the displaced air rather than the lights coming on and that is why they scurry. Mainly nocturnal roaches hide by day in nesting sites. Thigmotropic is a term that describes why a roach hides in such small cracks. They feel more comfortable with all sides touching something and will seek out these spots in which to call home.
A german roach female becomes fertile in about thirty days after birth. Once pregnant she never has to mate again and will continue producing eggs sacs called oothecas. Up to forty eight babies can come from one sac. She carries the ootheca with her right up until the time of birth which is unlike most roaches. Her babies require a lot of moisture which she provides by staying attached the the egg sac. Female german roaches live six to seven months and produce about four or five egg cases in her lifetime.
It is said that anybody can get rid of ninety five percent of german roaches but only a pro can rid you of the last five. Given the advantages that this roach has it is not recommended that the german roach becomes a do it yourself project.
It takes time even under the best of circumstances and if new german roaches hitch a ride into the home you may need to start all over from scratch. For these reasons the german roach is one of mans biggest enemies and so difficult to control
