German roaches (Blattella germanica) are one of the most common kinds of cockroach that inhabit homes and businesses. They are especially associated with apartments, restaurants, food processing plants, and hotels. These pests reproduce rapidly and are known to cause allergies and spread germs, so regular control is important.
Identification
German roaches are light brown to dark brown in color with 2 darker parallel stripes that run down their backs starting just behind the head. These roaches have an oval body shape and range from .4-.7 inches in length. This makes them one of the smaller species of roaches that regularly infest homes. They have 6 legs, antennae, and wings, but they rarely use their wings to fly and usually prefer to run instead.
German Cockroach Diet
German roaches are omnivores that eat both meat and plant material. They are scavengers that will eat pretty much anything that is available from meats and starches to sugars and fats. When human food is in short supply, they will also often eat nonfood items like glue, soap, and toothpaste. Since they will eat such a wide array of things, it can be difficult to keep your home clean enough to completely prevent them, though sanitation efforts definitely help.
Hiding Places
Since they love warm, humid places, German roaches are regularly found in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. They can enter homes via doors, windows, cracks, crevices, and other openings. They are also great hitchhikers, so they can be brought into homes in grocery bags, cardboard boxes, used appliances, etc.
Dangers Posed By German Roaches
Like other roaches, German roaches can carry bacteria and spread disease. Since they live in and eat filth, this bacteria can quickly be spread throughout your home. There is also evidence that roaches contribute to allergies and asthma in susceptible individuals.
Cockroach Prevention
Large roach infestations can be tricky to deal with, but with a few simple tips, you can help prevent them in the first place.
- Practice good sanitation: sweep and vacuum regularly, clean up spills, wash dishes after use, take out the trash often.
- Seal the exterior of your home: use caulk and expandable spray foam to fill cracks and gaps, make sure that doors and windows seal completely, and cover vents and other openings with fine wire mesh.
- Resolve Moisture Problems: fix leaky pipes and faucets, correct landscaping issues, unclog gutters, and use vents or dehumidifiers if needed.
- Get regular pest control: receive regular inspections, have a professional treat the perimeter of your home, and place bait stations in common hiding spots to prevent sudden infestations.
German cockroaches are extremely common along the Sunshine Coast, so make sure you are taking the appropriate steps to prevent them. For help managing an infestation or preventing roaches or other pests, contact Radar Pest Control today.