ARE ALL COCKROACHES EQUAL? NO!!
Generally speaking, most roaches are flat and oval in shape with a pair of antennae and six legs. German cockroaches are specifically smaller than other roaches found in Alabama. German roaches’ range in size from ½ inch to 5/8 inch long and are light brown in color. The easiest way to identify German roaches is the two distinctive dark stripes going down the back of the pronotum. The pronotum is that head-like shield at the top of the roach. German roaches prefer hot and humid areas that are adjacent to food and water sources. You will most likely find that they have infested a building or home by hiding in food or moving boxes, appliances, or grocery bags. In a home or building you typically see the highest German roach populations in kitchens and bathrooms.
WHAT IF I SEE A ROACH IN MY HOME OR OFFICE?
When it comes to German roaches the saying is true: where there is one there are more! If you see a German roach in your home it's very likely there are plenty more hiding out in cracks and crevices around your home. Roaches are thigmotactic insects, meaning they like to squeeze into small tight spaces, driven by their preference for close quarters. This behavior is why when there is one there are often times more, you just don’t see them. Thigmotactic behavior drives roaches to aggregate together, and are tough to eradicate in some situations, as they can hide in large numbers in places where we can’t easily apply products. Getting a professional with years of experience and expertise involved early on in an infestation is key to a quick solution. The longer the roaches have to increase their population the more time and money it’s going to take to get rid of the pest population. Using multiple modes of action and a variety of products really helps with thigmotactic pests. At Prowess Pest Control we use a combination of gel and dry baits, liquid treatments, and monitoring stations to ensure we are treating appropriate areas and getting the results desired by the homeowner. Additionally most of our German roach products include an insect growth regulator which disrupts the life cycle which leads to much better control.
ARE GERMAN ROACHES DANGEROUS?
German roaches aren’t just a pain to homeowners, they also have been linked to disease transmission by picking up germs and disease on the spines of their legs and then they crawl on and through contaminated and decaying matter. The germs picked up on the legs are oftentimes transferred to food and surfaces throughout the home that are frequently used by humans. German roaches don’t only spread over 30 types of harmful bacteria but also have been known to carry 6 kinds of parasitic worms and at least 7 other human pathogens. Additionally, roach saliva, roach droppings, and decomposing roach bodies contain proteins that trigger allergies and increase asthma symptoms, particularly in children.
CAN I GET RID OF THE GERMAN ROACHES I HAVE?
You absolutely can but it may not be how you think. German roach control isn’t magic, it will take a concerted effort from both the homeowner and the pest professional. Practicing proper sanitation is priority number one when preventing a German roach infestation because German roaches tend to spend most of their time near food sources. All counters, cabinets, pantries, and floors should be kept clean and crumb free. Vacuuming and sweeping on a regular basis is crucial. Regular garbage removal is also very important. Proper sanitation combined with the professional products that Prowess Pest Control uses is the perfect one two punch needed to get rid of German roaches for good. Almost all German roach jobs take multiple visits to get control and that’s why we suggest using the Quarterly Protection Plan offered by Prowess Pest Control.
