Don’t Let German Cockroaches Invade Your Home
September 6, 2022 | Cockroaches, Pest Control
We’ve recently experienced an increase in calls for German Cockroaches, extremely versatile pests that carry diseases and tend to trigger allergies and asthma. Keep reading to learn more about this pest and how to keep them away.
German Cockroaches vs. American Cockroaches
It’s interesting to point out that the German Cockroach is more common in North America than the American Cockroach. There are a few ways to tell the difference between the two: American Cockroaches are considerably bigger. They can grow up to 1.2 inches. The German Cockroach rarely flies even though it has wings. These pests are typically found indoors, while American Cockroaches are usually found outside but know how to make their way inside.
Cockroaches in general have a preference for the warmer and more dryer areas of a structure. In homes, German Cockroaches will typically be found in kitchens and bathrooms but can move to other areas of a home if food and moisture are available.
How to Keep Them Out
There are several steps you can take to prevent roaches from getting into your home, including sealing cracks and crevices and eliminating any hiding places they may have. If you have a water leak, it’s a good idea to repair it immediately. Leaving it to leak is a bad idea. Homeowners with houseplants need to be careful in overwatering. Keep your home tidy and clean. If you leave dishes in the sink overnight, you might attract pests. So keep the kitchen clean and wipe down counters after cooking and every meal. It’s a good idea to sweep daily and vacuum weekly. Firewood and compost should be kept as far away from your home as possible. Keeping your lawn neat is another important way to keep these pests away.
What are the Dangers of German Cockroaches?
The danger of the German Cockroach is the filth they bring and spread in homes, contaminating food and even utensils. According to pestworld.com, the German Cockroach has been linked to disease transmission because they tend to pick up germs as they crawl through decaying matter and then are transferred to food and other common surfaces that humans frequently touch.
“In fact, cockroaches are known to spread at least 33 different types of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms and at least seven other human pathogens,” an article on German Cockroaches explains. “Additionally, the saliva, droppings and decomposing bodies of cockroaches contain proteins that trigger allergies and increase asthma symptoms, especially in children.”
Another threat of this pest is its rapid infestation. German Cockroaches don’t have a mating season, instead they mate year-round. A female can lay 40 eggs at a time, which mature in about two months. As you can imagine, infestations quickly become severe. German cockroaches are hardy and fast and have few natural predators inside human habitats. They can be tough to get rid of once you have cockroaches in the house.
How to Get Rid of Them
Many homeowners have used boric acid as a way to destroy roaches. However, because boric acid is poisonous if ingested, it is often discouraged by pest control professionals as a way to get rid of cockroaches. It’s especially a concerning substance to use in the home if you have children or pets.
There are other roach-killing products available in stores, but these use toxic chemicals and some have even been linked to cancer.
The best way to get rid of a German Cockroach infestation, an American cockroach infestation, or any other infestation of unwanted pests, is by hiring a professional exterminator to address the problem with a comprehensive, multi-point strategy. If you need help, call Joy Pest Control today.
