We label a lot of insects as roaches, but in fact each is different, not just in name, but in their characteristics.
In Florida we have American Roaches, Wood Roaches, Cuban Roaches (green), Australian Roaches, etc. Again, we label most all roaches found outside as Palmetto Bugs, but as I just explained, they’re not.
Most of all roaches are found outside among landscaping. Palm trees of all kinds, are great contributors, as well as the cypress mulch we put down all around our plants, shrubs, etc.
Allowing our yards to be overgrown and unattended also contribute to their breeding habits. Don’t leave piles of cuttings and wood lying about for long periods of time. Keep yards well manicured.
Spraying lawns and ornamentals is sometimes necessary, especially around and up next to your home or building. Spraying cypress mulch and under plants is an excellent idea three or four times a year.

German roaches are more of a problem to restaurants, apartments and duplexes than the average home. German roaches have five cycles to an eggs development, some of which are as small as an ant, and some of which don't even look like roaches. By the time they're adults hundreds or even millions could be breeding. These roaches carry diseases and cause severe allergies. In apartments, german roaches are a problem to control due mainly to tenants coming and going. Tenants coming into an apartment which has german roaches may decide to leave for a cleaner residence, but by then it's too late and they will transport the pests to another apartment or home. German roaches can go from one apartment to the one next door if kitchens are backed up to each other.
Duplexes - like apartments when they experience great turnover - go through the same problems.
German roaches are usually brought home from the store. Most of the time a live roach is not the problem. German roach egg capsules can be brought home in paper products of all kinds; food wrapped in paper then immediately put on a shelf or stored in a kitchen cabinet. Hatching occurs in these areas and even if you had an exterminator come on a regular basis, he couldn't help you until inspection and identification took place. Exterminators don't normally service your pantry, therefore infestation occurs.
The only way to eliminate german roaches is by doing a cleanout. A cleanout will require the customer to take everything out of their kitchen cabinets. The kitchen has not to look as if no one has ever lived there. Don't stack anything on countertops, put everything on a kitchen table, dining room table or on the floor. The only thing to be left on countertops are appliances such as toaster, blender, coffee machine, can opener, etc. - pretty much anything that has a motor. All cabinets must be cleaned before servicing. Any other areas, such as in furniture, end tables, coffee tables, night stands, dressers, wall units and bathrooms must be emptied as well.
In most cases it takes 90 days to eliminate german roaches, depending on the severity of the infestation.
Landlords or management groups like to clean-up, paint and re-rent their apartments or duplexes after tenants move out, but an apartment or duplex that has experienced a gerrnan roach infestation will have a problem renting out their units because it takes 90 days for elimination.

Behavior   The German cockroach is the most prolific breeder among all cockroaches. Each egg capsule can contain up to 40 eggs and development from egg to adult can occur in as little as 45 days. Like all cockroaches, it is omnivorous and will eat virtually anything people will and many things we won't. 

Habitat   In homes, this pest will first locate itself in bathrooms and the kitchen, as close as possible to food and moisture sources. It spends about 80 percent of its time resting in cracks and voids. 

Tips for Control   Control of German cockroaches takes persistence and experience. An infestation can be controlled using over-the-counter products, but homeowners often meet with frustration and call a professional company such as Rebel Exterminators.