German Cockroach Identification
German Cockroaches in North Carolina
The German cockroach is distributed worldwide and is the most prevalent species in and around homes, apartments, supermarkets, food processing plants, and restaurants. Ships, especially cruise ships and naval vessels can also be heavily infested. These roaches prefer warm humid environments and infestations are frequently found in residential and commercial kitchen environments, and bathrooms. When infestations are large, they can spread to other parts of a building. This species reproduces the fastest of the common pest cockroaches—a single female and her offspring can produce over 30,000 offspring in a year.
German Cockroach Habitat
German cockroaches are found primarily in kitchens, bathrooms, or other areas where daily access to water is available. If sanitation is poor, the German cockroach can successfully expand its normal habitat to include all portions of a structure where adequate food, water, and shelter exist. German cockroaches prefer to hide in wooden and paper materials, as well as electrical equipment. These roaches can also be found hiding in cabinets, drawers, up under sinks, and inside heat-producing appliances like dishwashers, microwaves, and coffee makers.
What Causes German Roaches in Your House?
German cockroaches enter homes in search of food, water, and shelter. They often hitch rides on grocery bags, boxes, and used appliances. Poor sanitation, clutter, and unsealed entry points like cracks and crevices also contribute to infestations. They are particularly drawn to crumbs, spills, and leftovers in kitchens, as well as standing water and leaky pipes.
German Cockroach Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
German cockroaches are not known to bite humans, however, foraging cockroaches are vectors of disease, depositing germs or bacteria in areas they inhabit. German cockroaches can also cause allergic reactions due to the insects leaving fecal matter and cast skins around the home, causing skin rashes, watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, and asthma. In addition to spreading disease, German cockroach infestations may cause human psychological stress. With the social stigma attached to having cockroaches in your home, homeowners tend to alter their behavior by entertaining less often and avoiding kitchen and bathroom areas at night for fear of encountering the pest.
Is the German Cockroach Harmful?
Yes, German cockroaches are harmful. They are known to carry various pathogens, including bacteria that can cause food poisoning, dysentery, and other illnesses. Their droppings, shed skins, and saliva can also trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks, particularly in children.
German cockroaches can multiply rapidly, which means that a cockroach infestation should be addressed immediately by a professional cockroach exterminator.
FAQS
Are German Cockroaches Hard to Get Rid of?
Yes, German cockroaches are notoriously difficult to eliminate. Their rapid reproduction rate and ability to hide in small, inaccessible places make them a challenging pest to control. Professional pest management is often required to effectively eradicate an infestation and prevent recurrence. That’s where our expert team at Bug Out can help!
