Adult German cockroaches are 1/2 to 5/8 inch long and tan to light brown (Fig. 1). The German cockroach is best recognized by its small size and by two dark parallel lines running from the back of the head to the wings. It is typically found in kitchens (near dishwashers, stoves, and sinks) as well as in bathrooms of homes.

Figure 1. Life Stages of the German cockroach

How to Kill German Cockroaches:

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German cockroaches generally favor a moist environment with a fairly high level of warmth. The insects are mainly scavengers and will go after a multitude of foods. German cockroaches are mostly active during the night time, when they forage for food, water, and mates. Any kind of crack or crevice situated near a supply of food and/or water is a prime hide-out, and they spend around 75% of their time in these hide-outs.  When they are seen in the daytime, it is usually because their hiding places are overcrowded because of a large population or there exists a lack of food and water supply.

 There are many reasons for this cockroach’s perseverance and the problems of controlling it. German cockroaches produce a greater number of eggs per capsule and they go through the shortest time from hatching until sexual maturity, causing a speedy population growth.

Also, and most importantly, German cockroaches are small compared to most other cockroaches and will conceal themselves in many places inaccessible to cockroaches of a larger species. First instar nymphs require a crack of about 1/32" whereas adults require a crack of about 3/16" in width.

German cockroaches produce odorous secretions that may have an affect on the taste of different foods. When cockroach populations are high, these secretions may bring about a characteristic smell in the general area of the infestation. Variations of gastroenteritis (food poisoning, dysentery, diarrhea, and other illnesses) appear to be the main diseases transmitted by German cockroaches.

The German cockroach is among the most difficult types of cockroaches to manage and eliminate. To properly and entirely eliminate these roaches you need to attack them from several fronts. 

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German cockroaches from your home.

 The actual claim is that these types of gadgets "drive unwanted pests out" of
a home, or structure, through a mix of electromagnetic, sonic and/or ultrasonic
energy. The theory is, that the energy waves will be repellent to assorted unwanted pests — everything from roaches to rats.

Do electronic pest control devices work as advertised?
Sorry to say, no. Since these devises are not regulated  by the Federal Government,  the EPA does not require the same kind of efficacy testing that it does for chemical pesticides.  As such, not one of these products have been scientifically proven to work. We would like to advocate this type of pest control as being a safer option to interior pesticides, but they have not ben proven to work.

The end result is that if manufacturers possess technological information which show that these types of products function, they ought to make it easily obtainable.  Rather, testimonails are the only proof of effectiveness. Testimonial information isn't dependable since it is highly susceptible to the placebo effect. To become reputable, the statements have to be supported with accurate scientific data.

Manufacturer sof electonic pest control products may well counter that there's also not any proof that the devices don't work.  This which is correct because you can't prove a negative. Nonetheless it is the total absense of published, scientific data that's most stunning. We have not been able to locate just one positive result that was published. In our opinion it is the obligation of manufacturers, or marketers, to supply reputable data that the the products that they sell really work.

Recent testing of various electronic pest control devises by independent labs have shown mixed results in controled environments, varying from pest to pest. Based on these mixed results, studies have concluded that more research is needed to improve these electronic pest control devices.