Pest Management Professional, May 2014
German cockroach aka Max Schmeling I n the 1970s pest management professionals PMPs were 10 times more likely to battle nasty German cockroach infestations than American cockroaches In many cases the German cockroaches were taking over commercial and residential accounts Sure wed run into the Americans from time to time but not nearly as often or as great numbers as the Germans we battled far more frequently Forty years later not much has changed A quick look at typical glue board catches demonstrates the head spinning difference in population dynamics between German and American cockroaches The accompanying Photo 1 shows a sticky trap laden with German cockroaches less than 24 hours after being placed in a kitchen cabinet Photo 2 shows a typical mostly empty sticky trap at an American cockroach infested account Even though a picture is worth 1000 words Ill continue to explain because Photos 1 and 2 drive home just one of my 13 face off supporting points No 13 unmatched reproductive capacity These speedy buggers are evasive and can outnumber any opponent overnight Paul J Bello Contributor FOLLOWING ARE 13 REASONS THE GERMAN COCKROACH IS KING OF THE RING Round 1 DIMINUTIVE SIZE The American cockroach is bigger and stronger but this is more of a liability than an asset Weighing in at a fraction of its opponent the German cockroach is more nimble The Germans smaller size also allows it to hide in the smallest places and take advantage of harborages where the American wont fit Round 2 EASILY TRANSPORTED Once again the German cockroachs smaller size is an advantage The German is transported more easily as an unseen hitchhiker from infested locations Round 3 EASILY HIDDEN Because of its small size and enviable mobility the German cockroach can hide easily in areas that are difficult to find and treat These areas harbor reservoirs of Germans leading to long term infestations Round 4 CRYPTO BIOTIC The German cockroach tends to remain hidden as it conducts regular activities By the time a PMP sees one German he might find hes already late to the party Round 5 VERSATILE EATER The German cockroach is capable of feeding on almost any food it finds In the absence of food the German also can survive on nonfood items such as glue and other materials in infested locations Round 6 BAIT ACCEPTANCE AND AVERSION The German cockroach has two sets of palpi to taste food prior to Continued on page 24 Photo 1 shows countless German cockroaches stuck to a trap Photo 2 shows just a few American cockroaches caught in a sticky trap Photo 1 Photo 2 www mypmp net Pest Management Professional May 2014 23 Photos courtesy of Paul J Bello
You must have JavaScript enabled to view digital editions.
