Few pests cause distress like German cockroaches. Spotting an ant in your kitchen every now and then isn’t much to worry about, but seeing a cockroach skittering around is a different story. Cockroaches are synonymous with disgusting living conditions and poor hygiene, but even the cleanest homes can get roaches. So, if you want to get rid of German cockroaches in your Tukwila home, here’s what you need to know.
What Are German Cockroaches?
If you’ve spotted roaches on your property, it’s likely that they are German cockroaches, the most common home-invading species in the United States. German cockroaches can be identified by their light brown color and a pair of dark vertical stripes running down the length of their oval-shaped bodies. They typically measure between 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch in length.
German cockroaches will eat just about anything. Whether it’s rotting garbage or the cereal or in your pantry (or even bookbinding glue), these roaches aren’t picky when it comes to food.
German cockroaches prefer to inhabit humid areas with plenty of moisture and a reliable food source nearby. Your kitchen and your bathroom are two areas that are likely to attract these roaches in particular. Areas around sinks, cabinets, and beneath heavy appliances like refrigerators and ovens are also prime real estate for German cockroaches.
Problems German Cockroaches Cause
The main problem with cockroaches is their tendency to spread disease and contaminate your living space. In their quest for food, German cockroaches travel to some nasty places like garbage dumpsters and toilets, where they pick up harmful pathogens. These pathogens can then be spread throughout your home by your resident roaches. Diseases caused by German cockroach contamination include dysentery, gastroenteritis, and salmonellosis, among others.
When an infestation of German cockroaches becomes severe, they have been known to cause allergies. The particles of detritus that cockroaches produce will fill the air and can irritate the skin and lungs. These particles of skin, saliva, and droppings can lead to eczema or even asthma.
Besides being the most common cockroach in the United States, German cockroaches are also considered the worst type to have. Their small size and avid breeding make them a formidable pest to try to eliminate. Often measuring just 1/2 inch long, these roaches can slip through tiny cracks, allowing them to escape and hide as they please. A single female German cockroach can lay up to 40 eggs at a time and infestations can grow rapidly.
Tips For Preventing German Cockroaches
Fortunately, you can help prevent German cockroaches from infesting your home by following a few easy tips:
- Take out the trash. Be sure to dispose of trash regularly. Don’t let garbage pile up indoors and always use a bin with a tight-sealing lid. If possible, dispose of trash outdoors and away from the house.
- Clean regularly. Thoroughly clean the areas where you eat and prepare food after use. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.
- Reduce moisture. Check for any leaking pipes or faucets where water accumulates and repair as necessary.
- Use strong containers. Keep roaches out of your pantry by storing your food in heavy-duty plastic, ceramic, or glass containers with locking lids.
- Close entrances. Inspect your home for any openings that could let German cockroaches in. Seal cracks around pipes with caulk and replace damaged weather stripping and door sweeps as needed.
The best tip for preventing or eliminating cockroaches in your Tukwila home is to get help from the pros at Alta Pest Control. In addition to our customized residential pest control plans, we offer specialized targeted treatments to eliminate German cockroaches in your home. With our pest-free guarantee, we promise to get rid of the roaches in your home for good, or we’ll return until the job is done. Contact us today to request your free inspection.
