Seeing a cockroach scurry across your floor will most likely send you into a frenzy. If the cockroach you see is light brown or tan in color with two black horizontal stripes behind its head; it’s a German cockroach. They are commonly found indoors and have wings but rarely fly. They crawl around on the kitchen counters, floors and other areas that are humid and warm inside your house. German cockroaches have been called the cockroach of nightmares. They are the most destructive and hardest to get rid of. They also reproduce faster and in larger numbers than any other species of cockroach. They can trigger asthma symptoms and transmit harmful bacteria, so do not take a possible infestation lightly. Taking steps right away to get rid of them is imperative, otherwise, they will wreak havoc in your home.

What to Do if You See a Cockroach; Signs of a German Cockroach Infestation

1. If you notice activity during the day you most likely have a big problem.
2. If you’re noticing an oily and musty smell it could be German cockroaches as they secrete a variety of odorous chemicals.
3. Droppings left behind look like ground coffee or pepper grounds. The most likely spot you’ll notice them is in the drawers or on the countertops and it can even cause dark stains in the corners within your home.
4. Finding dead cockroaches means there are more around; but alive and well! Look for pieces of skin that have shed also.
5. Kitchen and bathrooms are hot spots as there are ample moisture and food needed for survival and they also eat soap and toothpaste!
6. Egg capsules will be found in areas that female cockroaches are hanging out.

Cockroach Prevention & Control Tips in Homes & Apartments

Make sure you take care of any issues in your kitchen or bathroom that might be providing them with the moisture German cockroaches need. Clean up food crumbs in the kitchen, cover the soap in the bathroom and put the cap back on the toothpaste tube! German cockroaches are most active at night so it’s a good idea to put your pet’s food away so they don’t help themselves. Because roaches do extremely well in humidity, consider using a dehumidifier to send them in another direction. You may not consider items in your cupboards edible, but cockroaches will. The tiniest crumb can invite them into your kitchen so clean your cupboards regularly to ensure they don’t have a meal in there. Make sure all your trash containers are sealed tightly because they love trash. Food items in bags should be placed in tightly sealed plastic containers once they’ve been opened to avoid cockroaches for dining on it. Before climbing into bed at night check around to make sure there aren’t any dripping faucets or standing water in bathtubs, sinks, and showers. This just gives German cockroaches what they need if you don’t.

German Cockroach Control

If you’ve taken steps to prevent these pests and they’ve still managed to make your home theirs too, you’ll need professional pest control. German cockroaches reproduce at alarming rates, making it very difficult to get rid of them. Give Rentokil a call to help you out. We have the best methods and products to send German cockroaches packing!