There are more than 4,000 different types of cockroach species but only some are known for invading homes and causing trouble. Of all the different types of cockroaches, the German roach is considered the worst.
That’s because this roach will not only invade interior dwellings (and quickly multiply) but it’s also known to spread disease. They are highly adaptable pests, meaning they can adjust to various living conditions and will hunker down for permanent residence if not addressed.
Unfortunately, the German cockroach is also one of the most common varieties that we see here in the Northeast.
In this article, we’ll talk about how to get rid of German cockroaches. There are four steps that we want to talk about. These are:
#1: Store food properly
#2: Inspect packages and other items brought indoors
#3: Eliminate points of entry
#4: Invest in professional pest control
Let’s dive into getting rid of German cockroaches.
Getting Rid of German Cockroaches in Four Steps
There are four steps that we recommend you take to prevent and get rid of roaches in your home.
#1: Store food properly
Like other pests, cockroaches find their way into your home in search of food and shelter. While you can’t change the fact that your home is a comfy shelter for roaches, you can take steps to reduce their access to food. This starts with proper food storage.
Putting food into containers, wiping down counters, taking garbage out regularly, and vacuuming/sweeping up crumbs are all important.
You may also want to consider limiting food consumption to one room, like the kitchen. This just makes clean-up easier as opposed to having crumbs all over the house.
#2: Inspect packages and other items brought indoors
Roaches are skilled hitchhikers. Cockroaches commonly find their way inside homes with a “free ride” in (or on) packages, grocery bags, luggage, and used furniture. Anything that a roach can crawl into or onto can be a form of transportation from one location to another.
For that reason, you want to take time to inspect items coming into your home.
Roaches particularly like hanging out around cardboard because it provides food and shelter. Cockroaches will eat cardboard and digest its fibers. This makes it quite important to inspect any package you’re bringing inside to keep roaches out of the house.
#3: Eliminate points of entry
Like all pests, cockroaches have to find a point of entry to get inside in the first place. If they aren’t hitching a ride on something (as discussed above), they are finding a direct access point. Getting rid of German cockroaches (or preventing them in the first place) should also involve eliminating their potential entry points.
Make an effort to seal cracks and crevices, patch screens, and install weather stripping around doors. This will also keep other household pests like spiders, centipedes, crickets, and more away.
#4: Invest in professional pest control
In addition to the measures mentioned above, the best way to get rid of German cockroaches is to invest in professional pest control.
In terms of what kills German roaches, aside from stepping on them and squishing them (YUCK!), professional pest control services can eliminate these unwanted houseguests.
If you have an existing problem with roaches, that will need to be addressed first. But going forward, the goal will be preventative maintenance.
It’s always optimal to keep pests like German cockroaches out of your home in the first place before they even have a chance to cause trouble. Professional pest control services can help you achieve that goal.
FAQs About German Cockroaches
In addition to a better understanding of how to get rid of German cockroaches, we know that you might have other questions about these pests. We’re here to answer some of the most common questions.
What do German cockroaches look like?
German cockroaches are brown to light tan in color and about a half to ⅝ of an inch. They are not small creatures by any means and are often spotted scurrying in locations like kitchen floors or counters. They’ll do their best to hide but because of their size are often spotted when they sneak out in search of a snack.
What attracts German cockroaches?
As we mentioned, what attracts German roaches to the inside of your home is the same thing that attracts other pests…the prospect of food and shelter! They are especially attracted to food crumbs, spills, and residues so cleaning up can help make a difference in keeping roaches away. But because these pests are opportunistic eaters, they’ll be in search of the tiniest crumb. It’s a myth that only “dirty” homes have roach problems.
Are German cockroaches hard to get rid of?
These pests can be difficult to get rid of initially due to how quickly they can multiply. This is a key reason why it’s important to bring in professional pest control services at the first sign of any trouble. And it’s even better to implement a preventative strategy to avoid roaches in the first place.
Do German cockroaches bite?
Roaches are able to bite humans but rarely do. If you spot a roach, it’s likely to scamper away from you as quickly as possible. Often roaches are active at night when people are asleep. Often it’s when you go into the kitchen for a late-night glass of water that you might notice the scurrying roach trying to get away when the lights flip on.
Are German cockroaches dangerous?
Even though German cockroaches rarely bite, they are dangerous in other ways. Almost every part of the German cockroach’s body has bacteria on it. E coli and Salmonella can live on these pest’s bodies and be spread to food and household surfaces. They can carry and transfer bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
Choosing Pest control Services in Northeastern Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, and Southern Maine
At Seacoast Turf Care, our pest control services cover not only German cockroaches but also some of the other most common household pests. That also includes stinging insects (typically found outside, but that may accidentally come in) as well as mice. Often pests like mice can be lurking in your walls without you even realizing there’s a problem.
The last thing that you want is for a couple of pests to become a full-blown infestation.
If you truly want peace of mind that you’re keeping pests away, investing in professional pest control is a wise choice. By taking the right steps, you’ll be able to get back to enjoying life as usual.
Want to learn more about how pest control services can protect your family and give you peace of mind? At Seacoast Turf Care, we service NH towns near Stratham, North Hampton, Exeter and many more. Get pest control pricing for your Southern NH, Southern Maine, or Northeastern Massachusetts property.
Image Source: cockroach on food, cockroach
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