The German cockroach is best identified by its small size and by two dark parallel lines running from the back of the head to the wings. German cockroaches prefer a warm, moist environment. They scavenge on a wide variety of food, but are especially fond of starches, sweets, grease and meat products. Garbage often is their principal food source. During the day, they hide in dark cracks or crevices that provide warmth and humidity.
Cockroaches are persistent and hard to control.
German cockroaches carry their eggs until hatching time, and because they are smaller than other cockroaches, they can hide more easily. A single adult female, together with her offspring, may spawn 10,000 descendants in one year. If not controlled, German cockroaches can become both a nuisance and a health threat. When cockroach populations are high, you may notice this odor in the vicinity of the infestation. Disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa have been found on cockroach legs and bodies.