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German cockroaches, Blattella germanica, are one of the most common urban
insect pests throughout the world. This species of cockroach prefers to live
in a humid atmosphere with an average temperature of 70º F (21ºC). Since these
are the same conditions preferred by man, it is no wonder that German
cockroaches have adapted to living in man’s home, office, ship, restaurant
and school. Having had a longer track record of survival on the planet earth
(300 million years versus 1 million years for man), it is thought by many that
cockroaches are likely to out survive man in the long run.
Cockroaches are known mechanical vectors of bacteria and other diseases;
their fecal material, hairs and cuticle are the source of allergies and asthma
for many, and their odor is described as unpleasant, but their most
objectionable characteristic is their tendency to appear uninvited at the
table. Long considered a sign of poor sanitation, cockroaches are now
identified as a public health issue.
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