Have you recently made a used home goods purchase only to find that shortly after you’ve noticed a few cockroaches inside your property? If so, it may be German Cockroaches.
This type of cockroach is known to enter your home unbeknownst to you. They often stow-away in various used products brought into your home and once inside, which can then quickly lead to an infestation if left untreated.
Luckily, once you have properly identified them, they can be successfully treated with professional pest control services.
What are German Cockroaches?
German cockroaches are 13 to 16 mm in size, making them the smallest of cockroach species, and they are a common issue throughout the US and beyond.
This cockroach species is typically identified by their yellowish to light brown bodies. They also have a pair of black horizontal stripes behind their heads. Younger German cockroaches, on the other hand, are very dark in color.
They also have wings; however, they are not generally known to use them. Instead, you may notice them running across different surfaces inside your home in search of food.
In retail stores, these cockroaches typically gravitate towards a number of different household items, such as used furniture, electronics, and luggage, which offer shelter and warmth. They are also known to make their way inside boxes and bags, which also provide entry into your home.
Once inside your home, they usually seek refuge inside tiny crevices and cracks, which they have no problem fitting into due to their small size. Their small size also makes them hard to locate, which can make it difficult to treat these cockroaches on your own.
Female German cockroaches also reproduce quite rapidly. In fact, one female cockroach can lay more than 30 eggs at one time, after which time it only takes the eggs just two months to hatch, which can also quickly lead to an infestation and make them harder to treat on your own.
After they have fully matured, adult German cockroaches can live between 100 and 200 days. In the meantime, they will feed on various foods and items throughout your property, including food crumbs, book bindings, and even toothpaste and soap.
They can also usually be found in different locations throughout your home. Some common hiding places include; under sinks and in cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom, appliances, electronics, as well as around trash receptacles. If the infestation is left unchecked, they can spread to any crack, crevice or void in the home that provides them shelter.
Do German Cockroaches Pose any Risks?
German cockroaches pose a high risk to allergy suffers, especially children. In fact, they have been linked to an increase in asthma and asthma attacks in certain areas.
They also carry various contaminants that have been shown to cause food poisoning.