Dealing with German roaches can feel like a never-ending battle. You wash all your dishes and wipe down your kitchen religiously before going to bed every night. But every time you get up in the middle of the night for a glass of water, there they are, scrambling around your kitchen counters, looking for somewhere to hide. Frustrated, you pick up your trusted roach spray, spray all the surfaces, and watch a few roaches fall. But the problem persists, worsening with each passing day, week, and month. Sound familiar?
German Roaches: Understanding the Enemy
Ah, German roaches, the bane of every clean freak’s existence. If you are experiencing a German cockroach infestation, you know how disgusting it can be. The roach eggs (tiny brown cylinders) and droppings in your flatware drawers that look like black pepper cones. How they constantly come out of your oven, toaster, blender, and microwave. It feels like the more you kill, the more that comes out.
German roaches breed and spread so fast, survive on virtually nothing, and rarely go down without a spirited fight. They’ll invade your home any time, any season, wreak havoc on everything, and so long as they’re warm, fat, and happy, will never… ever… leave.
These unwelcome guests are small, measuring anywhere from a half-inch to five-eighths of an inch in length. Their identifying trait is their light brown color and two dark stripes on their backs. You’ll often find them scurrying around your kitchen, bathrooms, or any spot where there is plenty of food and moisture
How Do Roaches Get into Your Home?
German roaches are masters of hitchhiking. They find their way into unexpected places and end up in new territories, like your cozy home.
So, how did they hitch a ride and end up at your doorstep?
- Second-hand bargains: That vintage lamp or that box of free goodies might unknowingly harbor these uninvited guests.
- Visiting a roach-infested home: Sometimes, it’s a seemingly innocent visit to a relative or friend’s home that opens the door for unwanted roach stowaways.
- Grocery store adventures: Those little critters can crawl into your grocery bags, especially if the store has an infestation, and accompany you all the way home. They’re not only invading your living space but might also take an unplanned joyride in your car.
- Packages from online retailers are notorious for bringing in these unwanted pests! So for your next Amazon order consider opening it outside and tossing the packaging ASAP!
How to Get Rid of German Roaches
Sanitation and Cleaning
A clean home is a roach-free home. Keep your living spaces spic and span by regularly vacuuming, mopping, and wiping down surfaces. Store food in air-tight containers to keep these bugs out of your pantry. Pay extra attention to the kitchen and bathroom, as these are prime roach hotspots. Don’t skip recycling the pile of cardboard boxes; German Roaches love cardboard!
Natural Remedies
Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender are known to be effective deterrents. Place cotton balls soaked in these oils near entry points or infested areas to send the roaches packing. Keep in mind this will send them back into hiding, but it won’t deal with the root cause of the infestation.
Baits and Traps
Roach baits and traps can be highly effective in controlling infestations. These products contain attractants that entice roaches, leading them to ingest poison or get trapped. Place baits and traps strategically in areas where roaches are frequently spotted, such as under sinks or behind appliances
How to Keep German Roaches Away: Professional Pest Control
If the infestation is large, calling an exterminator as your first move will save you a lot of time. An even better move is reaching out to Waynes pest control professionals to eliminate the problem for you. Now all you need to do is schedule a call.
