At a glance, some people might lead you to believe all cockroaches are more or less the same.
However, there might be quite a few similarities regarding feeding. Upon closer inspection, countless differences range from their size to mating abilities. In this case, we will discuss the American cockroach vs German cockroach.
This article discusses their size, appearance, habitat, location, and more. Please continue reading to find out all that makes them unique from one another!
Difference in Size
German cockroaches are smaller than American cockroaches, and not by a small amount, either.
On average American cockroaches are twice as long, with a German roach typically measuring just 1/2 an inch.
On the other hand, American cockroaches measure as small as 1.1 inches but as large as 2.1 inches.
Oddly enough, though, they weigh the same amount for this considerable size difference, which is about 0.0037 of an ounce.
Sizes are of no significant concern regarding what they are capable of, though, as they pose the same threat in terms of their ability to trigger allergies, transfer germs, and create a faint odor that will permeate your home with a larger-than-life smell!
Difference in Reproduction
German roaches may be smaller than American roaches, but they work twice as hard in reproducing.
German cockroaches will produce anywhere from 20 to 40 cockroach eggs, taking only 28 days to mature. They only make 4 to 6 cases in their lifetime.
However, American cockroaches have roughly ten egg cases and create only 16 eggs, taking anywhere between 6 to 8 weeks to develop.
Female American cockroaches have larger abdomens. Meanwhile, female German cockroaches are larger overall, especially around the belly, making males appear thinner.
Read More: How Fast Do Roaches Multiply, Reproduce, and Grow?
Difference in Appearance
Visually the roaches have several distinct qualities that can differentiate them one from another.
German cockroaches tend to be a light-brown color, whereas American cockroaches have a deeper reddish-brown color.
But they have vastly different designs behind their head. On the prothorax (upper part of the roach just after the head), German cockroaches feature two long black parallel lines running right where the wings and mesothorax begin.
The American cockroach has two large brown spots on its prothorax, most of which are light brown.
The egg capsules also have some pretty distinguishing solid features, with the German cockroaches appearing almost dark brown at one end, lightening up towards the top. In contrast, the American cockroaches’ eggs are a dark brown, almost black color.
German cockroach nymphs are small and dark with a tan line or dot. American cockroach nymphs begin white but turn reddish-brown in later instars.
Habitat and Location
Both roach species enjoy warm climates with ready access to moisture year-round. You can go as far as to say you will find both roach species under all crawl spaces unimaginable.
These unwanted pests group up in the tens of thousands thanks to them stashing away in cargo ships and trucks. Still, they prefer to remain out of sight if possible, shirking away from light and maintaining a low profile in cabinets, sewer drains, or under heavy appliances.
Despite their names, neither originate from what they are named after, and both share common ancestry linking directly to Africa. Still, German and American cockroaches can be found all over the world, with Germans being even more dominant from a worldwide perspective.
The title of most significant home-invading species would have to go to the German cockroach, though, as they can be found everywhere across the entire world, thus making them a shoo-in as the most common cockroach species well. Meanwhile, American roaches are typically more centralized in North America, Africa, and Europe.
Dietary Needs
Cockroaches prefer starchy foods, sugar, meat, and decaying matter.
The level of cockroach activity you can experience in your home depends mainly on what you have to offer them.
There is no reason to splice hairs as both German and American cockroaches share the exact same dietary needs. Both cockroach species are not picky, even eating poison directly if it means getting just a nibble off something edible, which is why boric acid tablets and bait traps work so efficiently on them.
Regardless of the perspective, both of these cockroach species share the seafood diet mentality, meaning if they see food, they are going to try it.
Read More: What Do Cockroaches Eat? Their Favorite Foods
What Different Predators Do They Have?
Some different predators they have include mice, frogs, spiders, humans, and other animals. Even dogs and cats may eat roaches. These animals and insects attempt to do all they can to stop a full-on cockroach infestation that might consume the world.
However, these predators change with the insect’s lifecycle. Most predators are only interested in the insect when they are fully mature and ready to make a bountiful meal or roam abundantly during a specific mating season.
Either way cutting their life cycle short is excellent news for everyone involved, excluding the roach.
If mother nature doesn’t provide enough predators, their apex hunter, the professional exterminator, can ensure those population counts are down.
Different Conservation Status
Unfortunately, neither of these cockroaches is on the endangered species list, and as such, they have no special conservation status. Even if you killed all roaches within a five-mile radius, it would not have a huge environmental impact besides that caused by the pesticides used.
If anything, they are actively creating jobs to hunt and kill them more than anything else, hence why pest control businesses are booming, to begin with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are German or American Roaches Worse?
German roaches are the worst compared to American roaches. This is primarily because they are a global problem that everyone has to deal with, while the American roach is, at the very least, more confined.
Can You Fully Get Rid of Roaches?
Yes, you can fully get rid of roaches from your home. However, it may be a challenge as they will find food from any source, including cardboard boxes.
It’s also important to identify the type of roach you’re dealing with because each one requires a slightly different approach.
What Do I Do if I Find an American Cockroach?
If you find an American cockroach, you should kill it, especially if it is inside your home.
What Time of Year Are Roaches the Worst?
The time of year when roaches are the worst is during the spring and summertime. This is primarily because the warm weather allows the roaches to be more active and mobile, allowing them to mate more often and infest homes faster.
