Do you need to know exactly what type of pest is infesting your home? Our pest experts say yes! Today, we’re looking at German cockroaches: what they are, how they differ from other types of cockroaches, and if you need to treat them any differently.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know. Of course, if you still have questions after this post, feel free to call ScherZinger Pest Control! We are happy to answer your questions about German cockroaches (or any other pest plaguing your home).
What are German cockroaches?
There are many different types of cockroaches. German cockroaches are one of the most common cockroaches in the U.S. and in Ohio. (Other common cockroaches in this area are American cockroaches, brown-banded cockroaches, and oriental cockroaches.)
What do German cockroaches look like?
Adult German cockroaches are oval-shaped and about half an inch long. They are light brown in color, with two vertical black stripes right behind their head. They have six legs, two straight antennae, and a pair of wings. (Though they have wings, they don’t fly.)
While you’re mostly likely to notice German cockroaches when they reach their adult size, it’s also helpful to know what they look like at all stages. At the nymph stage, these cockroaches are dark brown to black, with darker horizontal bands running the length of their body. Nymphs don’t have wings. German cockroach eggs are about a quarter of an inch long and light brown in color.
Where do German cockroaches live?
German cockroaches are commonly found indoors. They prefer warm and humid environments, which is why they most often live in kitchens and bathrooms.
These cockroaches will spend most of their time hiding in cracks and crevices, but they will venture out in search of food and drink at night.
What do German cockroaches eat?
Cockroaches are scavengers and omnivorous. They will eat just about anything—from obvious sources of food (like crumbs and garbage) to stranger food sources like book bindings and soap. They’ll even eat other cockroaches!
How should I treat German cockroaches?
Cockroaches of any type should be treated quickly. That’s because cockroaches can contaminate food and spread diseases like E. coli, salmonella, and more. (You can read more here about how cockroaches spread disease.)
That said, of all types of cockroaches, German roaches are particularly concerning. They produce the largest number of eggs per capsule and have the shortest time between hatching and reproduction age. This means the population grows quickly. They are also smaller than other roaches, meaning it’s easier for them to spread undetected. If your home has German cockroaches, it’s important to address the threat ASAP.
As we mentioned above, cockroaches tend to hide most of the time. If you see one or more cockroaches skittering around your kitchen, bathroom, or elsewhere in your home, you can be sure there are more out of sight!
To treat German cockroaches, it’s important to take a thorough approach. This approach should involve inspection, sanitation, repairs, and chemical control:
- Inspection: Do a careful inspection of your home to find potential roach hiding areas. You may also need to use sticky traps.
- Sanitation: Cutting off the roaches’ food and water supply is key. This includes steps like cleaning up all spills and crumbs immediately, sealing pantry items in airtight containers, covering garbage with a tightly fitted lid, and avoiding leaving dishes out overnight. Doing this makes the home less hospitable to cockroaches.
- Repair: Fix any leaks providing water for the roaches. In addition, it’s important to caulk holes around pipes in the kitchen, bathroom, and other areas of the house.
- Chemical control: When it comes to chemical control of roaches and other hard-to-kill pests, it’s better to have a trained pro do the treatment. (After all, get it wrong and the problem gets worse!) Pest professionals have the experience and knowledge needed to set baits and apply insecticide effectively.
Call Us for Help Getting Rid of Cockroaches
Cockroaches are a tough pest for homeowners to eliminate. However, you don’t have to go it alone! You can get proven solutions from experienced pros.
Scherzinger Termite and Pest Control is a trusted pest control company in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas, including Dayton, OH, and now Columbus, OH. We’ve been pioneers, engineering new standards for ways of eliminating and controlling bugs and pests. Contact us by phone at 1-877-748-9888 or via web inquiry, Facebook or Twitter.