German Cockroach

German cockroaches range in size from ½ inch to 5/8 of an inch long. They are light brown to tan in color and often distinguished by two dark stripes down their back. They have been linked to disease transmission by picking up germs on the spines of their legs as they crawl through decaying matter. These germs are then transferred to food and other common surfaces that humans frequently touch. They carry at least 33 different types of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms and at least seven other human pathogens. Additionally, the saliva, droppings and decomposing bodies of cockroaches contain proteins that trigger allergies and increase asthma symptoms, especially in children.