In nature, cockroaches are vitally important. Within homes, however, they are completely unnecessary. Their usual job of assisting in the decomposition of trash and dead organisms is not needed within our homes. Cockroaches can catch up with our trash after it is out of our homes and at the dump! The question is, how do we keep cockroaches out of our homes? Here in New Haven, we have one species of cockroach that is much more common than the rest. They're called German cockroaches. Here is everything you need to know.
How To Identify German Cockroaches
Thankfully, German cockroaches are smaller than most other species of pest cockroach here in the United States. They only grow to be about ⅝” long. Typically, German cockroaches are light brown to tan in color. To identify these pests, look for two black parallel lines just behind their heads. Most commonly, German cockroaches are found around warm, humid places, close to sources of food and water. This usually causes them to congregate around kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
The Dangers Of Living With German Cockroaches
Despite their smaller size, German cockroaches are just as dangerous as their larger cousins. They are capable of carrying and spreading over 33 different kinds of bacteria, 7 human pathogens, and 6 dangerous parasites. German cockroaches are some of the most dangerous creatures you could have living under your roof. If German cockroaches have gotten into your New Haven home, they are able to spread this filth across kitchen surfaces, over dinner tables, and onto left-out food, possibly causing severe sickness. This puts you and your family at risk.
Cockroaches also contribute to asthma attacks and allergic reactions. They do this with the skin particulates they release in the air after molting, a process that occurs between stages of growth. If you or anyone else in your home has a medical condition that involves having trouble breathing, cockroaches are the last bug you want crawling around.
What Attracts German Cockroaches To Homes?
In general, German cockroaches like to live near people. Our homes provide them with more safety and provision than anywhere out in the wild. The three things that attract cockroaches to invade homes are food, shelter, and water. All a cockroach needs to feel at home are some crumbs of food, a drip of water, and an appliance to hide under.
Prevention Steps For Cockroaches
Cockroaches are some of the hardest pests to prevent. For one, cockroaches eat practically anything including garbage, paper, glue, fingernails, hair, and even human saliva. In addition to this, cockroaches can crawl into a home in many creative ways including through utility piping and sewer drains. Sometimes we are the reason cockroaches get inside as they sometimes hide in storage/food boxes, using them as Trojan horses to get past our defenses.
Here are 8 ways you can make your home less attractive and accessible to cockroaches.
- Seal up gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation using a caulking gun.
- Make sure all of your doors and window have proper weather stripping.
- Reduce moisture throughout your home by fixing leaks, broken gutters, and removing standing sources of water.
- Limit where you eat food to one or two rooms in your home.
- Clean regularly, making sure not to neglect under kitchen appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, and dishwashers.
- Pick up and clean out food and water bowls left out for your pets after they are done with them.
- Store leftover foods inside airtight containers.
- Make sure all of your indoor and outdoor trashcans have tight-fitting lids.
How To Get Rid Of German Cockroaches
If German cockroaches have already gotten into your New Haven home, it’s time to get the professionals involved. Here at Connecticut Pest Elimination, LLC, we have reliable and effective treatments to remove cockroach threats from homes.
To schedule immediate services for your New Haven home, give us a call today. We would be happy to send a quick and easy solution your way.