If you have a cockroach infestation in your home, odds are that you are dealing with German cockroaches. In this article, we’re going to cover this species and some basic information that you should know about its infestations.

How infestations start

German cockroaches have evolved to live alongside us, so they will always seek out our homes and other buildings in order to maximize their odds of survival. In the home, any open food source is a big draw for the roaches, which is why you want to make sure that you keep your food sealed and your garbage lidded. Roaches are also on the lookout for any warm, humid areas which will serve as an ideal location for their eggs and their young. Whenever these conditions are present, the roaches will try to gain access to the home and start reproducing.

Why German cockroaches are dangerous

German cockroaches do not just look disgusting, they are also quite dangerous, and you could make the argument that they trigger our disgust response because of how dangerous they are. They do not really have a venomous sting or bite though. Instead they carry dozens of pathogens and parasites on their bodies, because of the environments that they live and eat in. Cockroaches will often travel through garbage and sewage, which is where they can pick up the pathogens that cause E. Coli and Salmonella. On top of that, German cockroaches excrete allergens, which can cause allergic and asthma reactions.

The signs of a German cockroach infestations

There are three main signs that you will spot whenever you have a German cockroach infestation: the presence of an actual cockroach, the presence of droppings in the home, and a specific odor. The first sign is self-explanatory – if there is one cockroach in the home, the odds are that there are many others hiding somewhere close. The droppings can be detected in areas of high cockroach activity and they resemble black pepper. Finally, you will sense a specific odor whenever there are large German cockroach populations in a building, and this odor is somewhat musty. If you smell it once, you will be able to identify it in the future.

The control process

When it comes to controlling German cockroach populations it’s best to work with a pro, because an incomplete extermination will lead to re-infestation. If you have any questions about the control process, or if there is a German cockroach infestation in your home, contact us today.