Cockroaches, also known as roaches, are common pests in many countries. However, most of the approximately 4,600 species are primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions. In Germany, on the other hand, only six species of cockroaches are native.
In a nutshell
- Distinguishing between cockroaches and forest cockroaches
- only cockroaches are pests
- Cockroaches are often very sensitive to cold
- Wood cockroaches are rarely found in homes
- Cockroaches transmit dangerous diseases
cockroaches
Cockroaches are those types of cockroaches that live primarily in human proximity or in human dwellings. Most of these cockroaches are not native to Germany, but were (and still are) brought in from their warm home countries. They can only survive where it is warm enough: in apartments, bakeries, hotels, tropical houses, etc.
American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)
Contrary to what one might expect, the American cockroach originated in Africa. From here, this species of cockroaches spread with shipping to all subtropical and tropical regions of the world. There it is one of the most common types of cockroaches. In Germany, the American cockroach was only found in zoos and botanical gardens for a long time. In the meantime, however, isolated specimens have been found in public facilities such as hotels, restaurants, in sewer systems, district heating shafts or combined heat and power plants. Since the species is extremely sensitive to cold, it cannot overwinter outdoors in Germany.
Look
- Colouring: reddish brown, yellowish red band in the rear area of the head shield
- Body length: up to 53 mm
- very long antennae, may be as long as the body or longer
- both sexes winged
- Wings reach to the tip of the abdomen
way of life
- can fly and climb well
- very fast runner
- mostly nocturnal
- can survive up to three months without food
- Depositing the eggs in egg containers (ootheca)
- capsule-like, dark colored and about eight by five millimeters in size
Notice: When laying eggs, the females attach the egg capsules, each containing around 15 to 20 eggs, usually in the vicinity of food, for example on packaging or pallets. This is how the American cockroach spreads through trade all over the world.
Brown-banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa)
The brown-banded cockroach is also originally from Africa and also spread around the world via shipping and trade. Unlike other cockroach species, this one prefers very warm (more than 27°C) and rather dry environments, which is why they are typically found in electrical appliances, computer equipment, cable ducts, hot water pipes, light switches, and in and on picture frames and furniture.
Source: CrStN224, Supella longipalpa, edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Look
- Colouring: reddish yellow to reddish brown, two light horizontal stripes on the pronotum
- Body length: females 10 to 12 millimeters, males up to 15 millimeters
- Males have pointed bodies
- Females have shorter, rounder bodies
- well developed wings in both sexes
way of life
- mainly nocturnal, but sightings are possible during the day
- unable to fly despite wings
- Oviposition in capsule-like egg cocoons (ootheca)
- often lodged in cracks in furniture or floors
- Development is temperature dependent
- very sensitive to cold
Notice: Since the brown-banded cockroach is not only spread via food, but also via electrical appliances and (second-hand) furniture, it is also known as the "furniture cockroach".
German cockroach (Blattella germanica)
Also widespread in buildings worldwide is the fully winged German cockroach or house cockroach, which is also one of the most common pests in this country. In Central Europe, this cockroach species is mainly found in warm, humid rooms, such as those found in bakeries, canteen kitchens, canteens, hospitals, swimming pools or greenhouses. In private households, too, the cockroach often occurs when the living conditions are suitable. Compared to other cockroach species, this one is significantly less sensitive to cold: only at temperatures below four degrees Celsius are the animals no longer able to move. Their egg capsules even withstand minus temperatures of up to 20 °C.
Look
- Colouring: solid yellow-brown, 2 dark longitudinal stripes on the pronotum
- Body length: 10 to 15 millimeters
- well developed wings
way of life
- unable to fly despite having wings
- only gliding possible
- can also overwinter outdoors
- in very warm places up to four generations per year
- Females lay up to 200 eggs
- Egg capsules colored light brown to brown
Common cockroach (Blatta orientalis)
The heat in bakeries, canteen kitchens and other food processing plants, as well as the constant availability of food, offer a real Eldorado for the cockroach, also known as the Oriental cockroach or baker's cockroach. Because this species comes into contact with and spreads all kinds of bacteria and fungi, their presence poses a major hygiene problem. The common cockroach cannot fly and is found indoors worldwide, with the exception of arctic and antarctic areas. It is one of the most common cockroach species in the world.
Look
- Colouring: dark brown to black
- Body length: females 22 to 30 centimeters, males 20 to 25 centimeters
- in males, forewings do not quite reach the rear end
- stubby wings in females
- long, filiform antennae
- has stinky glands
way of life
- nocturnal and photophobic
- sensitive to cold, feels most comfortable at temperatures above approx. 20 °C
- not good at climbing, so stays close to the ground
- Females lay up to 190 eggs
- egg capsules up to 10 millimeters long
- initially reddish in colour, later black
Notice: The cockroach can squeeze itself through even the tightest of crevices, which is why even the smallest gaps in walls and walls should be closed when fighting it. In addition, the species is no longer able to reproduce at temperatures below 15 °C.
forest cockroaches
Strictly speaking, forest cockroaches do not belong to the species of cockroaches, since only the cockroaches are so called. Nevertheless, both groups of species belong to the zoological order of cockroaches (Blattodea).
- both groups of species are closely related
- look very similar on the outside
- quite high risk of confusion
- Cockroaches not vermin
- rarely found in human proximity
- Habitat: forest floor
- Food: decaying plant matter and small animals
Amber Cockroach (Ectobius vittiventris)
The amber cockroach, which migrated from southern Europe, is also very rarely found in human dwellings or cannot survive there due to a lack of food. Anyone who lives near the forest in southern Germany will sometimes find one or two specimens that have strayed into the apartment in the evening when darkness sets in - the animals are attracted by artificial light. The amber cockroach is not one of the pests either.
Source: Peace Fart, Photography of Ectobius vittiventris, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Coloration: light brown, paler, translucent pronotum
- Body length: 9 to 14 millimeters
- well developed wings in both sexes
- protrude beyond the tip of the abdomen
- Wings sometimes finely dotted
- both sexes are able to fly
The amber cockroach is very similar in size and coloring to the German cockroach, but unlike the pest, it has no vertical stripes on the pronotum.
Notice: Sometimes this species of cockroach also likes to nest in the garden and is mainly found in low bushes or under pots.
Common wood cockroach (Ectobius lapponicus)
The native forest cockroach is widespread and quite common in and on the herb and soil layer of deciduous, mixed and coniferous forests as well as in parks, hedges and gardens. In contrast to other cockroaches, the species is diurnal, but also loves warmth. The male is able to fly with its well-developed hind wings, while the female only has stunted wings and moves exclusively by crawling.
- black-brown coloring
- Pronotum and wings translucent
- Males have a dark pronotum
- 9 to 13 millimeters long
- Body oblong-oval
Notice: The forest cockroach can be observed between May and October. In addition, there are other forest cockroach species in Central Europe that are very similar to this one.
frequently asked Questions
How do cockroaches get into the apartment?While nocturnal forest cockroaches are often attracted by artificial light and fly through open windows, the pests usually get into the home through contaminated food or food packaging, second-hand furniture and the like. Occasionally you bring them with you from vacation so that they can multiply and spread at home with the right living conditions. Some species also crawl into the house through gaps and cracks in the masonry.
Are cockroaches dangerous?With good reason, the cockroaches (not the wood cockroaches!) are regarded as pests and are controlled because they can transmit a variety of dangerous diseases. Cockroaches spread bacteria and other pathogens that cause dysentery, typhoid, tuberculosis and salmonellosis, for example. In addition, the animals can transmit worm parasites and mold spores to humans, and their excrement causes asthma and skin eczema.
Can cockroaches bite?Yes, since the majority of the different types of cockroaches are omnivores, they can theoretically bite people. However, they only do this very rarely, since they tend to flee from us humans. Cockroaches may bite in dangerous situations where there is no way to escape or when there is a lack of food or a very heavy infestation.