The German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is one of the most common roaches found in apartments, houses, restaurants, and hotels. German cockroaches (eggs included) are brought inside on human belongings like luggage, boxes, groceries, or packages.

A large German roach population will produce a foul odor, which may trigger an allergic reaction. It may be easy to pass off as seasonal allergies, but the scent of even a few roaches may trigger asthma symptoms. These roaches prefer moisture, food, and warmth, so sanitation measures are critical in controlling and preventing German cockroach infestations. German cockroaches can be a serious health hazard in restaurants.

Get Rid of German Roaches

German Roach Control Methods & Products

One of the best ways to get rid of German cockroaches is to place out a high-quality roach bait like Invict Gold and an insect growth regulator (IGR) like Tekko IGRs, such as Tekko Trio Foam. The roach bait will kill the adult German roaches, and the IGR will help stop the reproduction of roaches. We have both products in a kit, so we recommend trying the Invict Gold Roach Kit for cost savings.

Use Aerosol Sprays

For those who prefer to spray, use a German Roach Spray Kit. It combines Advion WDG insecticide (a non-repellent insecticide) with Tekko Pro IGR (Insect Growth Regulator). After spraying this liquid combination into cracks and crevices, use the Stryker 54 aerosol to flush out the hiding roaches on the recently sprayed surface.

Can I Use Insecticide Spray to Kill German Cockroaches?

For German Roach control in restaurants, we recommend the use of insecticides, aerosols, dust, and growth regulators instead of baits. There are too many competing food sources for effective control of German cockroaches in restaurants with bait.

For those who prefer to spray, use a German Roach Spray Kit. It combines Advion WDG insecticide (a non-repellent insecticide)with Tekko Pro IGR (Insect Growth Regulator). After spraying this liquid combination into cracks and crevices, use the Stryker 54 aerosol to flush out the hiding roaches on the recently sprayed surface.

Key Takeaway

Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) are invaluable for killing German cockroaches and can be used with Baits or insecticide Sprays.

Where Do I Place These Roach Baits?

Typical harborage areas for German cockroaches and places for treatment of Roach Bait

Roaches are cannibalistic and will eat other dead or dying roaches. The roaches are not social insects like ants and termites, they do not carry the bait back to feed the young. The bait is passed through by excrement or eating the dead roaches. Spray into areas where pests are hiding or living. It does not stain.

It is important to re-bait in the areas where the roaches are taking the bait. Paying attention to this will speed up the treatment.

What are Insect Growth Regulators?

Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) are chemicals that mimic hormones in young insects, disrupting their growth and development processes. Unlike traditional insecticides that kill pests outright, IGRs work by preventing pests from reaching maturity, effectively halting the reproduction cycle and leading to the gradual decline of the pest population.

Using insect growth regulators breaks the roach growth cycle.

Tekko Pro or Tekko Trio Foam stops reproduction and reduces the survival of the German roach with two different modes of action. It affects the molting process, making the German roach vulnerable to survival and stopping it at the larvae state.

Tekko Pro IGR and Tekko Trio Foam have changed the industry of Insect Growth Regulators. It has two different active ingredients to provide two different modes of action to combat the most severe German roach problems.

There have been reports of the complete elimination of the German roach population within two weeks when used alone. Combined with the Invict Roach Gel, Vendetta Roach Bait, or Advion WDG, non-repellent spray provides the greatest impact.

How Do I Use Insecticide Dust for German Roach Control?

The key to insecticide dust application is to use a minimal amount, applying it in a thin layer. It should be hardly visible to the naked eye and never applied to open areas. Dust under and around appliances.

If you apply dust in heavy applications, the German roaches will walk around the pile or accumulate dust. Use a hand-held duster for accurate dust placement. Only fill the duster half full when dusting. You want airspace on the top of the dust container to shake it and puffed out more easily. It is helpful to place a couple of pennies inside the dusting container to break up clumps of dust. Applying insecticide dust with a spoon is insufficient.

Dust should only supplement any insecticide of a bait control program for German roach control, not as a stand-alone solution.

Sometimes, bait alone will not be sufficient for German roach control. Restaurants will need a good dusting/liquid insecticide program because baiting will not work.

Those who live in apartments might benefit from dusting behind the plumbing area under their sinks and electrical outlets for long-term management.

When you apply them to recessed and dry areas, they give you long-lasting results. Typical areas to dust would be electrical outlets, so a hand duster with a plastic tip would be needed.

Do not place insecticide dust in the same location as any roach baits, as it would contaminate the baits.

German Roach Control in Restaurants

Many times, German roaches in restaurants require insecticides as opposed to baiting. Using baits in German roach control requires that there are no competing food sources. In restaurants, it is almost impossible to eliminate all competing food sources.

Types of Roaches that Invade Homes & Businesses

(American and German Roaches are the most common and have two different types of treatments.)

Small Roaches (German and Brown-Banded) 1/2"-1 " in the adult stage

Large Roaches (American, Australian, Asian, Smokey Brown, and Wood) 1.5 " or longer in the adult stage

How to Identify German Roaches

What Are German Roaches?

The German cockroach is a small light-brown roach, seen mainly in kitchens and bathrooms. These roaches prefer living in warm areas with easy access to moisture and food. That is why they are so commonly found in the kitchen.

German cockroaches are usually spotted at night. If you see these roaches during the day, there is likely a substantial German roach problem present.

German Cockroach Identification

German Cockroach Diet

These roaches will eat a broad range of foods and prefer to stay close to food and water sources.

Female German cockroaches produce one egg capsule every 3-4 weeks. Cockroaches produce oval-shaped egg cases that contain 25-45 eggs, the largest capsule of all roach species that would infest a building. The female will carry the egg capsule with her until it is ready to hatch, making it less hazardous for the German Cockroach nymph to survive.

The female German roach also has the shortest period to develop from hatching until sexual maturity. A German cockroach infestation will build up faster than other species. The young (nymphs) will be able to breed in as little as 36 days. A combination of these traits produces what entomologists call a "high reproductive potential."

Adult German roaches can live up to one year. They adapt quickly to changing environments and evolve to survive. German cockroaches can even bite humans on occasion when looking for food, sometimes causing allergic reactions.

Pathogens and Diseases German Roaches Cause

German roaches can trigger asthma, allergies, and eczema, particularly in young children. The bacteria that they carry and transmit may cause food poisoning and intestinal diseases such as dysentery and diarrhea.

Since German roaches will feed on both human and roach feces, they can spread germs. As the roach travels over food and utensils, they carry diseases on their legs and bodies. The roach excrement and cast skins carry allergens that may result in allergic responses such as rashes, watery eyes, sneezing, and congestion.

Not Sure Which Type of Roach You Have?

If you are unsure if you have German cockroaches, place sticky traps such as Victor Pheromone Traps #327RPT on the kitchen counters at night and take a picture. Send us an email with the picture attachment, and we will be glad to help you with the identification.

How to Inspect for German Cockroaches

How to Prevent German Roaches

When beginning to get rid of German cockroaches, sanitation is one of the first things to consider. German roaches only need a small amount of food to sustain them.

First, inspect all the areas listed under inspection and follow sanitation recommendations. Next, use one of the best German roach killers we have listed in this guide. We recommend using gel baits, non-repellent insecticides, dust baits, roach bait stations, and insect growth regulators (IGRs). Select dust and roach pheromone traps for residential and commercial areas.

Very often, high levels of German cockroach control can be achieved by German roach baits alone. Several very effective bait products are on the market today. However, like any chemical control, resistance to the ingredients in baits can occur. The products we recommend have not had a resistance problem. Rotate baits for locations with a continued problem.

German roach droppings look like black pepper. If you see a lot of droppings in an area, that is an indication that roaches are spending a lot of time there, and that makes it a good area to treat. Roach droppings can trigger asthma attacks and allergies, so remove the droppings and clean the area thoroughly.

Suggested Sanitation and Prevention Measures to Get Rid of German Roaches