German Cockroaches: What Arizona Homeowners Need To Know
Arizona homeowners face a significant challenge when German cockroaches find a way in; they are formidable enemies. If you've attempted to eliminate them, you likely know exactly what we're talking about. If you have yet to deal with them, getting in front of the ball is a good idea. Today, we'll give you all the facts you need to know about German cockroach control and prevention. Let's start by looking at how you can identify these particularly frustrating roaches and how they get into homes in the first place. As always, we're here to help. Contact the Greenway Pest Solutions team for assistance with pest problems in Phoenix, Anthem, Chandler, and throughout our Arizona service area.
German cockroach identification for Arizona homeowners
In Arizona, German cockroaches grow to be about ½ to ⅝ of an inch in length. Adults are tan-colored with shiny wings that hang past the ends of their abdomens. Nymphs are smaller and have no wings. In the nymphal stage, you'll see dark coloration running down both sides of the insect. Once it develops wings, the dark coloration looks like a black equal sign on the back of the roach.
How German cockroaches get inside Arizona homes
There are many ways these vile insects can enter a home, and some are a bit unsettling.
- They may climb into a bag or box where produce is sold and hitch a ride home with you.
- You could pick up a German cockroach infestation when you pick up a great deal on a used item. They are known to get into furniture, appliances, and other household items and move from one structure to another when these items are sold.
- You may pick them up when you travel. They can get into your luggage.
- If you share a wall with an adjacent home or unit, you could get a roach infestation. They hide inside walls and move through ducts.
- They can enter your yard by slipping through tiny gaps around doors, windows, utility openings, unprotected weep holes, and more.
- You can bring them in from a shed or utility closet. They get into structures that are less well sealed than your home, and you can bring them inside when you bring storage boxes into your house.
To recap, German cockroaches are predominantly indoor pests. They often hitchhike from one structure to another. But they can also enter homes from the outdoors. It is essential to keep both in mind.
Where German cockroaches prefer to hide
When German roaches find their way into homes, they are likely to gravitate to an area where conditions are favorable. Finding food is high on their priority list. A food source will nourish adult roaches and encourage female roaches to create an egg pouch. Cockroaches hide in cracks, tight spaces, secluded locations, dark voids, and high-humidity areas.
What do German cockroaches eat?
German roaches have a diverse diet. They feed on human and pet food, both fresh and rotten—and many other things that we do not consider to be food. Here is a short list:
- Bread
- Pasta
- Cereal
- Potatoes
- Cake
- Cookies
- Honey
- Jelly
- Oil
- Grease
- Hair
- Paper
- Fabrics
- Glue
- Dead skin
- Dead insects
- Feces
Since German cockroaches eat various "food" sources, it is tough to drive them out. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Limiting food options will help stunt population growth and help guard you against bacteria transference. These insects crawl in dirty places and eat dirty things. When they do this, they pick up bacteria that affect human health. A clean home offers fewer opportunities for disease transmission.
German cockroach prevention
Let's use what we've discussed so far to help you keep these pests out—if they haven't gotten into your home yet—and help you deter population growth if they have found their way in.
Manage food sources
- Clean floors and surfaces.
- Keep trash receptacles clean and covered.
- Clean the sides of your oven.
- Clean underneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks.
- Wash the pantry and kitchen shelves.
- Store dishes in soapy water.
- Clean mop buckets.
- Deep clean your bathroom.
- Vacuum rugs and carpets routinely.
- Protect stored foods.
- Keep food dishes covered when they are on the counter.
- Put pet food down only during meals.
Manage moisture
- Repair leaking faucets.
- Repair damaged pipes.
- Fix a weeping garbage disposal.
- Install ventilation if needed.
- Install a dehumidifier if needed.
- Put water down for pets during mealtimes.
Manage clutter
- Put stacked objects into a storage tote.
- Put cardboard and paper in a sealed container.
- Keep floors cleared.
- Keep dirty laundry in a hamper or sealed container.
These prevention methods deter German roaches from thriving in your home. Pest control is required for complete control. Unfortunately, these pests are difficult to control. They are resistant to many over-the-counter pest control materials, and some populations are not bothered by baits used by homeowners.
Professional German cockroach control in Arizona
Your Greenway Pest Solutions team uses industry-leading pest control strategies and products to locate, eliminate, and monitor cockroaches in your home. Our methods will get the results you want.
Once the German cockroaches are gone, we can help you keep them out. We offer year-round home pest control services that stop these pests and other nuisance and potentially damaging insects and rodents from taking over. Contact us today to learn more!
