The quick identification
German cockroaches are small — about half an inch — light brown, with two dark stripes behind the head. They cluster in kitchens and bathrooms, near warmth and moisture: behind the stove, under the sink, inside appliance voids.
The larger roaches — an inch or more, darker — that show up near drains, basements, and entrances are usually American or Oriental cockroaches. They live differently, come from different places, and respond to different treatment.
Why German roaches are their own problem
German cockroaches reproduce faster than any other common roach and spend almost their entire lives hidden in cracks and voids. A spray that kills the roaches you see leaves the population untouched. Effective treatment means targeted products placed in the harborage areas, plus preparation — clearing under sinks and around appliances — so the treatment reaches them.
That's why German roaches are never folded into a general pest plan: treating them properly takes a dedicated clean-out approach.
What about the big ones?
Larger roaches typically come in from outside or up from drains. Treatment focuses on entry points, harborage areas, and the conditions attracting them — work that's covered by general pest service.
Not sure which you have?
You don't have to figure it out alone. Peski's booking flow asks one quick question about where you're seeing roaches so you land on the right service — and a licensed technician confirms the species at the first visit.