German Cockroaches
What are German cockroaches?
German cockroaches are a species of cockroach that you will rarely see flying; instead, they scurry and run very quickly to get where they are going or to elude capture. Adults grow to between 1/2 and 5/8th of an inch in length.
Their bodies or light brown or tan, and they have two parallel black stripes placed right behind their head. The female has a wide abdomen, while the male has a narrower shaped abdomen. German cockroaches breed very quickly; each female can carry 40 eggs and there can be as many as 6 generations produced per year.
Why do I have them?
German cockroaches can enter homes through small cracks and crevices; in fact, they only need a space 3/8th of an inch wide to squeeze their bodies through!
While foraging for food, they often enter inside through spaces in the foundation or underneath doors; but the main way these invasive cockroaches enter homes and other buildings is by hitching a ride in cardboard boxes, used appliances and furniture, grocery bags, and other deliveries and packages.
Once inside, German cockroaches can be found living in large numbers in warm, humid places like kitchens and bathrooms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, German cockroaches are very dangerous to have invading your home. They carry a large number of viruses, bacteria, and parasites on their bodies and in their feces which can cause diarrhea, dysentery, salmonella, and other serious health concerns. Also, their shed skins and feces often trigger asthma attacks in people;, especially in young children.
Eliminating German cockroaches from a property can be very difficult; they are nocturnal, breed very quickly, and adapt easily to new environments. To completely eliminate a German cockroach infestation, you need the knowledge and experience of a trained professional.
The highly trained exterminators here at American Pest understand the habits and habitats of German roaches and can eliminate them through our Preferred Care residential pest control services.
These year-round pest control plans get rid of cockroaches and other common household invaders with regular treatment visits. Give us a call to learn more about our Preferred Care plans!
There are many DIY products on the market to “eliminate cockroaches”, but the truth of the matter is that these products are mostly ineffective at completely ridding a property of all the adults, nymphs, and eggs invading it.
Leaving just one or two eggs or adults behind will result in a re-infestation. Also, many of the products at big box stores can be very harmful to people and pets if not used or mixed correctly.
The best solution to a German cockroach infestation is to contact the cockroach control experts at American Pest; our professionals can eliminate any sized cockroach infestation from Washington, D.C. area properties and keep them from returning.
At American Pest, we pride ourselves on our speed and level of service. For that reason, we make every effort to make sure we can be with you the same or the very next day.
Every product used by American Pest has first been extensively tested by the EPA and is registered for pest control use. Only then do we apply it following a strict set of guidelines for use around humans and pets.
German cockroaches and cockroaches, in general, are very difficult pests to prevent; they can enter inside many different ways – on their own, in packages, or on people.
In addition to putting a year-round pest control plan from American Pest in place, there are some steps that you can take around your home and property to help prevent a German cockroach infestation.
Install door sweeps on all exterior doors and caulk all gaps around windows and doors – especially ones that lead into the basement.
- Use air-conditioners and dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels.
- Make sure to inspect boxes and packages for signs of cockroaches before bringing them into your home.
- If purchasing used furniture or appliances, make sure to thoroughly inspect them for roaches and vacuum and/or
sanitize them before bringing them into your home. - Store food in air-tight containers or in the refrigerator.
- Quickly clean up spills and crumbs, regularly remove trash from your home, and routinely wash all dirty dishes.
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