German cockroaches are the most common species of cockroach encountered in the United States. They are typically tan to brown, speedy, with two dark parallel streaks running down their wings. German cockroaches are a hardy species known for surviving just about anywhere. If you see one, you probably have an entire colony nearby, and it is essential to contact a professional immediately.
German cockroaches have been proven to be the most challenging cockroach to eradicate. The first sign of a German cockroach infestation is usually the disappearance of food or sticky spots on countertops and tables. They are highly adaptive and persistent, living for one year without food or water.
German cockroaches are one of 27 species of cockroaches that have been found around the world. The German cockroach is small, approximately 1/2″-3/4″ in length, and varies from tan to dark brown. A German cockroach infestation can quickly become unmanageable without professional help due to their resistance to typical control methods.
German cockroaches require professional treatment to eradicate, as they reproduce very quickly in warm areas of a home and can quickly become a problem. German cockroaches also carry several health risks, often spreading bacteria and germs through their feces and bites, causing food poisoning and other diseases such as typhoid fever, dysentery, and ultimately death. We will discuss this in detail further in the article.
Where Do German Cockroaches Live In Your Home?
The German cockroach, Blattella Germanica, is the most common household pest roach and can infest a home in as little as one month. German roaches are one of the most common roach species in the US. They are brown-colored, medium-sized, and very prolific reproducers, producing an average of 20 offspring per month. They love to stay close to food and water sources and will often be found behind and under major appliances such as stoves and refrigerators.
German cockroaches can be a severe nuisance. These pests are most agile at night and are less involved in the presence of light. They are attracted to moisture and food, so they like to get inside pantries and hang around kitchens. They live close to water sources, such as sinks and toilets, and can sometimes flow from the bathroom to other rooms in a home.
German roaches are found throughout the world. These roaches can be identified by their two-toned body and two longitudinal stripes from head to tail.
German roaches hide in small cracks and crevices during the day. Treating cracks and crevices with sufficient residual insecticides can destroy German cockroach populations. During the evening and early morning, when roaches are more active and feeding, insecticides should be treated as a crack and crevice treatment around drains and plumbing.
Under appliances, behind and underneath wall cabinets, behind refrigerator and stove, inside cabinets under the sink, in cupboards where food is stored, along the edges of floor moldings and baseboards, ceilings, window, and door frames. They can be found anywhere, and you should use pesticides to get rid of them. If pesticides don’t work, you should consider reaching out to a pest control expert for help.
How to recognize if you have a German Cockroach Infestation?
The signs that your house is under German Cockroach Infestation are listed below:
Cockroach activity during daytime
If you notice cockroaches running across your floor during the day, it’s time to act. German cockroaches are nocturnal, so you have a significant infestation in your home if you see that behavior. German cockroaches are a resilient species of cockroach that can be difficult to control. Their smaller size and quick breeding capabilities make them hard to eliminate, even with professional treatment. A cockroach infestation in your home is a sign of severe structural damage, and when these pests find a food source, they’re likely to reproduce rapidly.
Some peculiar smell
If you notice an oily, musty odor and cockroaches in your home, there’s a reasonable probability that you’re dealing with a German cockroach infestation. These roaches are attracted to warm, moist places around the house, and German cockroaches can enter through tiny gaps around plumbing, doors, and windows.
Dead Cockroaches
With their rusty brown or black coloring and the shape of a flattened American cockroach, German cockroaches can blend effortlessly into your home’s décor. They’re also long-survivors, living up to a year without food, water, or air! With that kind of survival ability, it’s no surprise that sometimes you see them scuttling across outlets in your walls or popping up out of your kitchen sink.
Cockroaches Near Water Sources in Your Home
A German cockroach infestation is one of the most common types of infestations in your home. That’s because they like to hang out in the warm, damp areas found in kitchens and bathrooms. These pests can live between 3 months to a year without food. Like all roaches, these little brutes will eat just about anything, including soap, toothpaste, and even dead skin cells.
Spotting German Cockroach Nymphs
If you see a German Cockroach Nymph, this can be a sure sign that you have an infestation. German cockroach nymphs are very small and hard to see, but if you spot some, you better get on the phone with a professional. Nymphs are a sign that the German cockroach has laid its eggs in your home to reproduce.
What Do German Cockroaches Look Like?
German cockroaches are small and tan, with two dark stripes running from the back of the head to the wings. Like other roach species, they have fully developed wings but cannot fly. Small and fast, these roaches are the most difficult for homeowners to control. They move very quickly and hide in cracks and crevices near food and water sources. Their populations can explode rapidly, especially in warm weather, as they reproduce.
How To Get Rid of German Cockroaches
Keep moist places of your house dry, especially the kitchen and bathroom. German cockroaches, unlike American roaches, don’t necessarily prefer food to water. They can’t eat solid foods on their own. However, they do need water to survive. So, eliminate moisture and food crumbs to drive them out of your home.
Keep everything clean and food sealed. Cockroach infestation is a persistent problem. Finding roaches in the bathroom and kitchen is common, especially if there’s been a recent flooding or water leak. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to panic! If you pay close attention to where you see the pests, you can ensure they have nowhere to thrive.
In conclusion, as the most significant pests globally, German cockroaches can certainly breed at a breakneck pace. Whether you live in a penthouse or home, these pests can be a constant annoyance and dump their waste everywhere. DIY pest control methods are rarely effective on cockroaches, so to fully eradicate all signs of a German cockroach infestation in your home, Call Clegg’s Pest Control to remove these pests for good.
