Pest Guide for German Cockroaches
In addition to Asian cockroaches and American cockroaches, German cockroaches are one of the most popular species of cockroach in the U.S. They’re around .5-.6 inches long and are tan or light brown with two dark parallel lines that run down the back. What sets these cockroaches apart from others is that they have fully developed wings, but don’t fly.
Behaviors
German cockroaches are mostly active at night and can often be found in warm, moist environments and while they’re perfectly capable of living outside, they love being indoors. Their small size makes it easy for them to slip through cracks and crevices and into your home, where you can find them hiding under stoves and dishwashers, near sinks, and even simply inside your walls.
German cockroaches will eat almost anything, including garbage, sweets, grease, starches, meat products, and other human foods. They’ll even eat glue and book bindings, making your home a prime candidate for an infestation.
Prevention and Infestations
If you find an infestation of cockroaches in your home, they’ll likely be German cockroaches. To prevent them from invading your home, be sure to take out your trash on a regular basis and clean up any food scraps or crumbs. Also, store your dry food in sealed containers and don’t leave pet food out (yes, they’ll eat pet food). In addition, reduce the amount of moisture in your home and clean it on a regular basis.
Because they’re nocturnal, it’s unlikely that you’ll see cockroaches during the day. If you do, however, it will probably be near your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. You may also smell a “musty” odor that these insects secrete in order to form a group. Because cockroaches can carry germs and disease, it’s important to get rid of them as quickly as possible. If you have an infestation, call our experts and we’ll take care of it.
