German cockroaches are one of the most common household pests. They are typically found in kitchens, bathrooms, near drains and sinks. These pests feed on organic matter such as food scraps, paper products, hair, and soap film. German cockroaches can also transmit diseases through contact with infected feces or saliva while feeding or when crushed by humans.
This blog post will be about preventing infestations of German cockroaches using various methods, including traps, baits, and insecticides. It will also detail what you should do if you find an infestation already happening in your home!
What are German Cockroaches
German cockroaches are large, reddish-brown to black insects with four dark stripes on their dorsum. These bugs are among the most common household pests. German cockroaches affect about 30-40% of homes in North America. They can survive indoors or outdoors, though they prefer to live inside human residences, where they find abundant food and shelter.
The face has six light spots near the mouthparts and two antennae approximately as long as the body. The tips of the antennae have a distinctive style called “elbowed,” which is thicker than it is broad at its base, hence why these bugs are sometimes referred to as “waterbugs.”
Adult German cockroaches will grow up to 1.6 inches in length, with a light brown or tan color similar to their American counterparts, though darker and less translucent than those of other species. Females have shorter bodies than males. When the nymphs (immature cockroaches) are fully grown, they are about 3/8-inch long.
Eggs produced by German cockroaches are carried in a purse-shaped capsule that is typically dropped or glued to an object near food sources. The egg capsule contains 14-16 eggs, and each one is about 1.4mm in length and 0.2mm in width. Eggs are beige, oval-shaped, and are laid in the uterus of the bug.
Nymphs hatch out of their egg capsules within six to 10 days, sometimes up to six weeks. They are first bright yellow but later turn light brown as they mature. Nymphs go through five molts before reaching their adult stage of development. The entire process from egg to adult can be completed in 50-65 days, depending on if the temperature is optimal for growth.
Where Do German Cockroaches Come From
Cockroaches are one of the most common insects that spend their lives in human homes or businesses. They are very resilient to changes in temperature, humidity, and water. German cockroaches are native to Europe but have spread all over the world. They can live in a vast range of environments, and they adapt to home life exceptionally well.
They come into the house primarily through food and water, dishes, garbage, or other ways that provide them access to the inside of a home. They feed on leftover food and waste, so they quickly increase their numbers when enough food is available.
This species of cockroach also has an extremely high reproduction rate, which increases their populations rapidly.
Although cockroaches can carry many different diseases such as dysentery, hepatitis A, Salmonella, and diarrhea-causing E-coli bacteria, they do not transmit these to humans.
German cockroaches come from a variety of sources, including shelters and commercial establishments. As a result, German cockroaches are the most prevalent cockroach species in America. They can rapidly invade homes because they will travel from building to building.
They are mainly found in buildings, but they can also be found inside appliances. German cockroaches are the most difficult to control, both inside and outside building structures, compared to other cockroaches. They are most often introduced into structures via infested food commodities, but they can also be introduced in furniture, small appliances (e.g., toasters, microwaves), grocery bags and boxes, storage bins or totes containing food or supplies, potted plants, and landscaping timbers. They also can be introduced in automobiles, recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, and trains. In addition, German cockroaches may enter structures from outdoors by tracking along water pipes, foundation cracks/expansion joints, or other routes.
How to Get Rid of German Cockroaches
The best way to get rid of German cockroaches is by checking for any food sources near your home. Make sure that all doors and windows are closed from the inside. It’s important to seal off as many cracks as possible with caulking or silicone sealant and plug up holes in the wall. Get rid of all clutter around your home, as this will also give the German cockroaches more places to hide.
Another way is by using traps to catch them. Using baits is also effective in catching them, but they are not as efficient as getting rid of them completely. It’s also wise to use a pesticide in this case and make sure that it spreads in the entire home.
One effective way of getting rid of German cockroaches is by using boric acid to kill them. However, it’s important to make sure that your house is cleaned thoroughly before doing so, as you will get rid of not only the cockroaches but also their eggs.
One of the best ways to get rid of German cockroaches is by washing all dirty dishes before going to bed at night since this will give them less time to reproduce more on the next day. In addition, keeping your kitchen countertops, dishes, and utensils clean will prevent them from multiplying in numbers. You also need to keep your home clean, especially the infested areas like the cracks in the wall or near the cabinets, since these are their breeding grounds.
Lastly, if all of the above is not effective, you might need to call the help of a professional pest control in Boise.
We hope this article helps you keep your house free from these pesky bugs!