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A Floridian’s Guide to German Cockroaches

The pests you find inside of your home may come in all shapes and sizes. Whether they just look unpleasant or are actually destructive is another story. Some pests may even put your health at risk!
Due to geographical conditions, different types of pests are more prevalent in the south, while there are certain species of bugs who thrive in the northern cold. There are even some types of pests that seem to make their presence known worldwide, regardless of climate conditions. This brings us to the German cockroach; an insect that can be found in just about every nook and cranny of the northern hemisphere. Continue reading to learn everything you have to know about these crawling pests.

Are German Cockroaches dangerous?

German cockroaches are some of the worst kinds of pests that can find their way into your home. These types of roaches pick up bacteria from trash and sewers on their bodies and transmit it to every surface they crawl on. Every time you see one scuttle past your feet, an invisible bacteria trail is left behind, making you and your family more susceptible to different diseases. Some of the dangers these types of roaches can carry include but are not limited to, E. Coli, Salmonella and can even cause asthma attacks.

What do they look like?

German roaches are one of the most easily recognizable pests. They will be light brown or tan in color with two black stripes around their neck area, just behind the head. They will generally be about .5-1 inch in length and have a rather oval shape. While these nasty critters are equipped with wings, they prefer to scuttle across the floor at fast paces.

Where do German Cockroaches live?

These kinds of roaches are for the most part, inside bugs. German roaches are able to live outdoors in any kind of tropical climate, they tend to be drawn to inside areas where the temperatures are warm and humid. Some common areas that the roaches may like to hide in your home include, the kitchen, bathroom, basement or even in your attic.

What do they eat?

You would be surprised to learn how little food roaches are able to live off of. They’ll make a meal out of things you wouldn’t even think of. These pesky roaches will eat anything from soap, book bindings and of course any type of morsel of human food they can get their antenna on. That’s why offices and kitchens are the most common place to find roaches, as each of these areas provide ample amounts of food in one way or another.

How quickly do infestations occur?

This type of roach is notorious for its ability to rapidly reproduce. A female roach only needs to mate a mere one time to be able to reproduce multiple times. A female roach can produce anywhere between 5-6 egg sacs in her lifetime; each containing 30-50 eggs. The rapid reproduction can be devastating to business and homeowners. No one wants to walk into a place of business or a home and see nasty little roaches scurrying around the floor.

When is professional help needed?

It is suggested that as soon as you notice any sign of a potential infestation of German roaches you seek professional help as soon as possible, to prevent the outbreak of a complete infestation. Professional exterminators are knowledgeable about the specific insect and know how to use the correct tools and chemicals in a safe manner.

Here in Florida that trusted professional is us over at Pest-Away Exterminators. If you’re worried your home or business may have been taken over by German cockroaches, fear not- we can help!

Tags: infestation, pest control, professional pest control, roach control, roaches