Kitchen or small or German cockroach (Blattella Germanica)

Kitchen or small or German cockroach (Blattella Germanica)

It is the most important species, perhaps the most common and the most difficult to combat. Adults are 13-16mm in size and light brown in color. They have 2 almost parallel stripes on the pronotum (dorsal part). In relation to the species mentioned, it is the cockroach species with the highest egg-producing potential. It lives for several months, often exceeding 12. The female carries the eggs in sacs (so-called ovaries), which contain 30 to 40 eggs. Breeding takes place throughout the year but is particularly favored by a moist and warm environment.
They appear 3-4 generations a year.
They are located in areas with human activity. Infestations often occur in food processing and storage areas and in residential kitchens and bathrooms. Their eggs may be carried inside food boxes, cartons, machinery and appliances or materials that have been brought into buildings from unclean areas.

Taxonomy
The German cockroach belongs to the order Blattaria. They are cosmopolitan insects and particularly widespread in Greece. They came to our country through international trade.

Biology
Most species are terrestrial.
They are active at night and hide during the day.
They prefer increased humidity while living in groups in suitable shelters near food sources. Species found in buildings during the day hide in damp and dark places such as cracks and crevices (e.g. between bricks, behind loose tiles, under old wallpaper, behind pictures, between furniture and walls, in pipes drainage, etc.). They are omnivorous species but as a rule they are not predators. They are heterometabolous insects, i.e. they have three stages of development: egg-nymph-adult.

Combat

Gel application
The application of disinfestation using gel is applied to the treatment of various species of cockroach and mainly the German cockroach B. germanica as well as to the treatment of various species of ants. The gel acts as a stomach insecticide and has attractants to attract insects. Gel use is a safe disinfection application for applicators, premises users and the environment due to the localized and small area of application.