the secret to getting rid of german cockroaches

German Cockroaches Description & Hiding Places

German cockroaches can be found worldwide and are one of the more dangerous species because of where they like to hang out. As a moisture-loving species, they are often found in kitchens, bathrooms, and other humid areas close to food sources. However, anywhere you can find food, you are likely to also find cockroaches. They may take up residence in dens, living rooms, and bedrooms as long as they have access to food.

As one of the smaller common cockroaches, this species can grow to around ? of an inch long. They are mostly light brown with two dark stripes behind their head. Though they have wings, they don’t often fly, preferring to run at alarming speeds.

Along with being resistant to poisons and too prolific to control with traps, this species can also survive on many non-edible items, making them a threat to any home, no matter the sanitation. Among the foods they can eat to survive are toothpaste, soap, and glue. Like most cockroaches, the German cockroach can also eat decaying matter, so trash that’s overdue to be taken out and sewage are also up for grabs.

Like any other insect, cockroaches can wander through open windows and doors or cracks in the home’s exterior, but they can also hitchhike inside through grocery bags and used furniture and appliances.

Threats & Dangers Of German Cockroaches

Along with being generally gross, cockroaches are dangerous if allowed to transmit the many diseases they are known to carry. Worsening asthma and allergies are just the beginning. German cockroaches can also carry over 30 types of bacteria, six parasitic worms, and at least seven other pathogens transmittable to humans. These pathogens can be walked across countertops, transferred to your sinks and toothbrushes, and deposited onto the dishes.

A dangerous pest in and of themselves, cockroaches are also a danger in the types of pests they attract as prey. Not only do mice enjoy picking cockroaches off of sticky traps, but brown recluses love a cockroach catch; and while we can appreciate that in a spider, they don’t belong in the home either.

Cockroach Prevention Tips

Though cockroaches can threaten clean and dirty homes alike, sanitation is a major deterrent to cockroaches. Sanitation and home maintenance are the basis of any pest prevention, and that’s where our list of prevention measures starts, including:

• Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink, and clean up food and sticky spills immediately.
• Seal indoor and outdoor trash and sanitize the receptacles weekly. Take indoor trash out regularly and keep outdoor trash far away from the home.
• Seal cracks and holes around the outside of the home with silicon-based caulk or steel wool. Anything as small as ? of an inch is wide enough for a roach to get inside.
• Control moisture problems in basements and crawl spaces, and don’t let moisture accumulate around your home through leaking pipes or landscaping issues.
• Vacuum often and keep your home clutter-free. If you must have boxes, use sealable plastic containers.
• Store food in glass or metal containers, be sure to clean up any food spills in the cabinet right away.
• Check second-hand appliances, cardboard boxes, and grocery bags thoroughly before bringing them into your home.

Preventing cockroaches through these methods isn’t always fail-safe. Unfortunately, cockroaches are hardy creatures and can survive without food for a month or more. Thankfully, with the help of professional pest control, the threat can be dealt with in just one visit.

HomeShield Pest Control Is The Best Way To Deal With Cockroaches

Cockroaches are not a DIY kind of pest, and they are too much of a threat to your health to allow. HomeShield Pest Control can not only eliminate your roach infestation, but we can do it with our 100% eco-friendly pesticide and with our 100% satisfaction guarantee.

After enlisting our help, if you see a pest return before our next scheduled visit, we will return to your property to deal with the pest for free. Call HomeShield Pest Control to schedule your pest control service in Los Angeles County.