Have you seen a cockroach in your home and now you're worried about an infestation? If you think you might have German cockroaches, it's important to act fast.
These roaches are notoriously difficult to get rid of and they reproduce quickly.
A female German cockroach can lay from 30 to 48 eggs at a time and can produce up to 6 generations in a single year.
In this guide, we'll show you how to identify a German cockroach infestation and how to get rid of German cockroaches.
Adult German roach is 1 inch to 1 3/4 inches long and has a flat oval shape. The colours of these are light to moderate brown.
The roach's distinctive trait includes the presence of two different dark stripes on their backside.
Adults length: 1/2 inches
Colour: Adults are brown
The nymph is much darker, most are black. The stripes are black in the middle of them and a little darker on the face. Males are light brown and have thin stomach.
Pronotums: Two long dark stripes. The pronotum is a shield plate over the head and shoulders.
Wings: All of us have wings, however, neither one can fly. It's easier to run.
These pests reproduce quickly, with a female capable of producing up to 30 to 50 nymphs per year!
So if you think you might have a problem, it's best to take action quickly before things get out of hand.
Roaches are omnivores with exceptional digestive systems, allowing them to consume just about anything in your house. They also have heightened senses of taste and smell.
German cockroaches have no qualms about eating pet food, garbage, old food left on dirty dishes, and even feces or scum buildup from your drains.
They'll also greedily consume more common items like bread, starches, meats, and grease.
Kitchens and bathrooms serve to house the many German roach populations. German rats should be kept near water or food sources.
In Germany, large populations of roaches have a bitter taste. German roaches can survive in warm electricity outlets and wiring.
Watch the roaches in and around appliances. German roaches are treated by removing toxins from their body by removing food from the drain.
German roaches can hide in trash cans behind kitchen cabinets. Eventually, the roach population grows enough to spread to other places. The roach is the most active at nighttime.
German cockroaches have wings but rarely move. The wings are meant for safety as they glide downward.
A cockroach is also extremely shy of bites; when it is eaten they only leave small marks on its surface. The bite is also safe.
German cockroaches graze you when you have no food or unless it's in their guts.
You might live somewhere with large numbers of German cockroach infestations.
These insects are unlikely to eat skin-based foods and they're just as good as eating other foods that have no food for them.
Every part of a German cockroach's body can transport harmful bacteria. For example, if pests have Salmonella or E. coli on their bodies, they may contaminate food and cause poisoning or dysentery.
Even the lightest contact with infected individuals may transport germs that cause illness.
Cockroach feces, cast skins, and saliva might all cause allergic reactions. Rashes and breathing difficulties are among the symptoms.
People with asthma and children are often the most affected by these issues.
German cockroach is common in homes. We live in the perfect place to protect the nest from these insects.
Cockroaches need food, warmth, shelter, and humidity. All of this can be found at home.
These insects will often find themselves in contaminated areas, small food crumbs or in a place where food remains.
They are drawn to environments with high water levels too. Leaky pipes and water baths provide the most suitable cockroach breeding habitat.
German cockroaches have no seasonality; unless they are provided a food source they are always available for a year.
German cockroaches are one of the most commonly seen cockroach species in the world.
Unfortunately, they are also one of the most difficult to get rid of once they've infested your home.
If you think you might have a German cockroach problem, there are a few signs to look out for.
Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures, so if you see them out and about during the day, it's a good indication that there is a high population density in your home.
During the day, they will hide in cracks and crevices, so if you see one during the daytime, it's likely there is much more hiding nearby.
German cockroaches secrete an oily substance that has a musty smell. If you notice this oil and musty smell in your home, it's a good sign that there is an infestation.
The smell will be strongest near where they are hiding and breeding.
If you think you might have a German cockroach problem, the best thing to do is call a pest control professional to come and take a look.
Droppings are one of the most obvious signs of a cockroach infestation. They look like ground pepper/coffee grounds and are often found in drawers, or on countertops.
The droppings from roaches can leave dark stains in the corners of your home.
If you find a dead German cockroach, it's likely that there is a large german roach infestation.
Cockroaches will often eat each other when food is scarce, so finding dead ones is a good indicator that there are many more alive and well hidden in your home.
Not only is finding a dead roach enough to indicate you have an infestation, but even just finding a shed skin can be proof!
German cockroaches love hanging out in kitchens and bathrooms because they're usually humid and have a lot of food to keep them alive.
Many people don't know this, but cockroaches will eat anything--including soap and toothpaste!
See Also: Bugs That Look Like Cockroaches
If you have a German cockroach problem, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them without resorting to harmful chemicals.
Here are a few tips:
Use traps
One of the most effective ways to get rid of German cockroaches is to use traps.
There are many different types of traps available on the market, so be sure to choose one that is specifically designed for cockroaches.
Cockroach traps work by luring the pests into a trap with food or water and then killing them.
This method is extremely effective and will help to reduce the population of cockroaches in your home quickly.
Boric acid
Boric acid is another effective solution for getting rid of German cockroaches. This substance is a natural insecticide that is deadly to cockroaches but safe for humans and pets.
Boric acid works by drying out the cockroaches' bodies, causing them to die of dehydration.
To use this method, simply sprinkle boric acid around areas where you have seen cockroaches or where they are likely to hide, such as under appliances or in cracks and crevices.
Peppermint oil
Cockroaches hate the strong smell of peppermint oil and will avoid areas where it is present.
To use this method, simply dilute peppermint oil with water and spray it around areas where you have seen cockroaches or where they are likely to hide.
You can also soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in strategic locations around your home.
Be sure to reapply peppermint oil every few days to keep the cockroaches away.
Diatomaceous earth
This powder is made from fossilized algae and works by absorbing the lipids from a cockroach's exoskeleton—essentially dehydrating and killing them.
Diatomaceous earth can be dangerous to humans if breathed in, so be sure to use it carefully and only in areas where children and pets cannot access it.
To use food-grade diatomaceous earth, simply sprinkle it around infested areas and/or apply it with a brush or duster. You may need to reapply it after a few days for maximum effect.
Neem oil
Neem oil comes from the seeds of the neem tree and has natural insecticidal properties.
Neem oil works by disrupting the molting process of insects, preventing them from reaching adulthood.
This ultimately kills them off. Neem oil can be applied directly to areas where cockroaches are present or as a preventative measure around potential entry points like cracks and crevices in walls or foundations.
Cinnamon
Like peppermint oil, cinnamon also has a strong smell that cockroaches dislike.
To use this method, simply sprinkle cinnamon around areas where you have seen cockroaches or where they are likely to hide.
You can also make a mixture of cinnamon and sugar and place it in strategic locations around your home. The sugar will attract the cockroaches while the cinnamon will kill them.
Vinegar
One of the most effective ways to get rid of German cockroaches is with vinegar. All you need is a bowl or container filled with equal parts water and vinegar.
Then, set the bowl out where you've seen the cockroaches and wait for them to crawl in.
The vinegar will kill them almost instantly. Just make sure to check the bowl regularly and empty it out when it's full.
You may find baking soda useful for almost everything you are looking for in your household.
It's safe for children and dogs, making it an excellent choice; there's even advice for using onions and sugar as bait.
However, baking soda can kill cockroaches who eat it, but these types of baits do not perform as well as the insecticides they're used for.
Please test it, which is harmless and inexpensive, but will probably not cause significant damage.
There are two types of insecticide sprays: contact and residual.
The first will kill the cockroaches that come into direct contact with it, while the second will continue to work for some time after application.
You can use it both indoors and outdoors; however, if you have children or pets, make sure to choose a product that is safe for them.
There are many different brands and formulations of insecticide sprays on the market, so it's important to read the labels carefully to make sure you're choosing the right one for your needs.
A good rule of thumb is to choose a product that has both contact and residual effects.
With so many products on the market, it can be hard to know which one to choose.
If you've ever had an infestation, you know they're not only gross, but they're also very difficult to get rid of. Once they've taken up residence in your home, getting rid of them can feel like a never-ending battle.
Luckily, there are some things you can do to prevent them from coming back once you've finally gotten rid of them.
You can use these to help keep cockroaches away. By following these tips, you can help to prevent German cockroaches from coming back once you've finally gotten rid of them.
If you think you might have a German cockroach problem, the best thing to do is call a pest control professional to come and take a look.
Our team of experts will be able to identify the problem and recommend the best course of treatment.
We understand how difficult it can be to kill German roaches, so we will work with you to make sure the problem is resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible. Contact us today!
For residential and commercial areas, we recommend using gel baits, non-repellent pesticides, dust baits, roach bait stations, insect growth regulators (IGR), and select dust and roach pheromone traps.
Typically, German cockroaches are wiped clean in five weeks. In a typical month, however, they will be down 70 – 78% to 80 – 90%. It also varies in extent.
German cockroaches can grow quickly in confined places with few predatory species. The population is usually large but can easily disappear and require professional treatment.
German roach pesticide is usually a Gel bait. Advion Gel bait. The roaches eat it. It is very easy to use and highly effective.
Cockroaches are definitely one of the most unpleasant pests that you can have in your home.
And unfortunately, German cockroaches are among the most common.
In this guide, we've explained how to identify these pests as well as how to get rid of german cockroaches or with professional help.
If you think you might have a problem with German cockroaches in your home, don't wait - take action now!
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