ג'וקים קטנים

I saw small cockroaches – should I be worried?

Small and large cockroaches are found all over the world, and the truth is that they date back to when the dinosaurs were here (maybe that way you will appreciate them more). There are thousands of species around the world, but 4 main species in Israel (of which 2 are very common and 2 are less common) .
The common varieties in Israel are: The American cockroach ("tamar" cockroach) that crawls throughout cities and emerges from every second sewer.
The German cockroach – the small, light-colored one – the one that loves electrical appliances, water dispensers, microwaves, etc. – will be mainly in the kitchen and if you don't take care of it quickly, you'll see a lot of it!

Brown-striped cockroaches and oriental cockroaches are less common in our regions, but you can still encounter them from time to time – if you would like to read more about them (and we know you do), click on the following links: for more content about brown-striped cockroaches or for more surprising content about oriental cockroaches .

So if an American cockroach (the large cockroach) unexpectedly (and unwelcomely) arrives at your home, you will surely notice it quickly (due to its size and speed), but what do you need to know about small cockroaches? Are they more dangerous? More common?

Small cockroaches

If you've seen small cockroaches , you should immediately think about one of 2 options.
One is that it is a nymph (one of the 3 stages of the cockroach's development) of an American cockroach (the least bad option).
The second is that it is a German cockroach (the worse option).

Why are both options bad but one is worse and the other less so?

1. If you found an American cockroach nymph – you probably have a cockroach nest in your house (that's the bad part) but the good part is that a standard spray for cockroaches and ants will solve the problem (and that American cockroaches are the easiest to kill).
2. If it is a German cockroach, then the problem is more serious. A German cockroach is a cockroach that is more resistant to pesticides , so the method of treating it is slightly different (and a little more expensive for you). But proper treatment that combines spraying in additional places beyond the usual places of the cockroaches + treatment with gel and traps for German cockroaches will solve the problem.

German cockroach extermination price

• Kitchen pest control only – 350 NIS
• German cockroach extermination in an apartment of up to 3 rooms (including cockroaches and ants) – 450 NIS
• German cockroach extermination in an apartment of up to 4 rooms (including cockroaches and ants) – 500 NIS
• German cockroach extermination in an apartment of up to 5 rooms (including cockroaches and ants) – 550 NIS
• German cockroach extermination in an apartment of up to 6 rooms (including cockroaches and ants) – 600 NIS
• German cockroach extermination in the kitchen only in private homes – 350 NIS.
• German cockroach extermination (including cockroaches and ants) in a private home – starting at 450 NIS.
• German cockroach extermination in a business kitchenette – 400 NIS

Small cockroaches in large numbers

If you've seen one small cockroach – there are probably at least ten more that you haven't seen. Whether it's an American cockroach nymph (if there's a nymph in your house, there's a nest, and of course there's more than one small cockroach) or a German cockroach (which reproduces 3 times faster than an American cockroach), then it's definitely not just one cockroach – you need to take care of it, and take care of it quickly!

Cockroaches lay between 6-40 eggs at a time! And as they say here, thank God they lay more than once during their lifetime (do the math yourself). All of this is not meant to scare you, but to warn you that if you see a small cockroach – you need to carry out pest control and preferably one hour beforehand. It is very likely that if you see one, there are dozens more below the surface just waiting for you to go to bed, turn off the lights and leave a dirty sink, crumbs on the counter and… you got the hint to go outside and attack.

A small cockroach can be a nymph of an American cockroach or a German cockroach – and here are the differences:

American cockroach nymph image

Picture of a German cockroach (small cockroaches)

German cockroach in a water bar

10 facts about small cockroaches: German cockroach or American cockroach nymph?

1. Very small size : Small cockroaches are usually under 1.5 cm in length.
   • German cockroach : relatively small adult, about 1-1.5 cm.
   • American cockroach nymph : A young stage that is small in size but will grow significantly.
2. Color :
   • German cockroach : yellowish-brown with two dark stripes along its back.
   • American cockroach nymph : Dark brown-black without the characteristic stripes of the German cockroach.
3. Movement speed :
   • German cockroach : Very fast and has good climbing ability on walls and smooth surfaces.
   • American cockroach nymph : Less fast, tends to stay close to hiding places.
4. Living areas :
   • German cockroach : Kitchens, food cupboards, near sources of food and moisture.
   • American cockroach nymph : Damp, dark areas, such as basements, sewers, and bathrooms.
5. Activity :
   • German cockroach : Active mainly at night, looking for food and hiding.
   • American cockroach nymph : tends to stay close to its hatching site and is less exposed.
6. Favorite food :
   • German cockroach : Very diverse food, including food crumbs, grease residues and paper products.
   • American cockroach nymph : Attracted to organic materials such as waste, paper, and even leather.
7. Reproduction rate :
   • German cockroach : Known for its very rapid reproduction rate; each female lays up to 50 eggs at a time.
   • American cockroach nymph : slower reproduction rate, and eggs are laid in protected areas.
8. Response to the light :
   • German cockroach : Flee quickly when exposed to light.
   • American cockroach nymph : May remain frozen in place for a short time when exposed.
9. Spreading ability :
   • German cockroach : Uses bags, cartons, and food products to spread between places.
   • American cockroach nymph : less mobile, usually stays close to the hatching site.
10. Treatment and pest control :
11. German cockroach : Requires targeted treatment with gel baits and locating food sources in addition to spraying.
12. American cockroach nymph : Pesticides should be used with deep spraying in damp, dark areas.

How to differentiate?

• If the cockroach is small and adult (has wings with dark back stripes) and is found mainly in kitchens – it is a German cockroach.
• If it is a small, young, wingless insect found in damp, dark places, it is probably an American cockroach nymph.

If you enjoyed this article (and I know you did…), wouldn't you want more of it?

• Facts and myths about cockroaches
• Cockroach nest
• Cockroaches in Tami 4
• How to get rid of an American cockroach?
• And so, with fun, about exterminating the little fire ant