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Common cockroach species in Israel

There are over 3,000 different species of cockroaches - some are considered pests while others are beneficial in their natural environment.

The two main types of cockroaches commonly found in homes and businesses in Israel include the German cockroach and the American cockroach.

See below for facts and information on the types of cockroaches common in Israel:

German cockroach

German cockroach

(Blattella germanica)

Appearance

  • Notorious for their distribution worldwide, German cockroaches are easily identifiable by 2 dark longitudinal stripes on their pronotum. Adults grow to approximately 12 – 15mm in length.

Lifecycle

  • Females carry 35 – 40 eggs in an ootheca (egg case) until they are ready to hatch.
  • Hatch in 1 month.
  • Nymphs take between 6 weeks to 6 months to develop into adults.
  • Generally 3-4 generations per year.

Habits

  • Most commonly found indoors.
  • Prefer wet, humid conditions and are typically found in kitchens and bathrooms in homes and commercial properties.
American cockroach

American cockroach

(Periplaneta americana)

The American cockroach is one of the largest pest cockroaches to invade homes and commercial properties.

Appearance

  • 35 - 40mm long.
  • Shiny red–brown in colour.
  • Wings longer than the body in males; only just overlap the abdomen in females.
  • Runs (may fly at very high temperatures).

Lifecycle

  • The ootheca (egg case) containing up to 16 eggs is carried by the female for several days before being deposited. Sometimes cemented down and tend to be grouped.
  • Hatch in 1 – 2 months.
  • Nymphs usually develop in 6 -12 months, but it can take up to 15 months.

Habits

  • Also known as the ‘Palmetto bug’ because they live on trees, the American cockroach prefers dark, humid and undisturbed areas and can be found in subfloors, basements, kitchens, roof voids, and bathrooms of homes.

Learn more about Rentokil’s approach to dealing with cockroaches.

With over 50 years of experience in Israel, Rentokil has become the largest and most trusted brand in pest control.