German Cockroach

5974   Geographical Location: Markham, ON.  Bug was collected in the kitchen. Over the last month or so, we have been waking up to them of varying sizes between 0.5 cm to 2 cm (this one was about 1.5 cm) in length, not including their antennae. They are typically crawling on the kitchen counter (granite) but can also be seen on the floor, or on vertical surfaces (dishwasher door, cupboard doors, etc.) It is currently April and weather conditions are mild, between 5 to 10 C. Snow is melting, and it has been relatively damp over the last few days, but weather in the month since their infestation has been fluctuating. It looks as if they have wings and they are capable of climbing glass jars. We have been rigorously cleaning and cannot find a way to get rid of them. Suggestions would be gratefully accepted!   Thanks for your help!  David.

This is a German cockroach, Blattella germanica (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), a very common and widespread pest species that can be difficult to bring under compete control. See http://tinyurl.com/h3nd9z8 elsewhere on this site for some control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.