If you own a home in Dallas, there’s a good chance the cockroach you saw scurrying across the floor is a German Cockroach. The German Cockroach is the most popular cockroach in Dallas and the surrounding area, and they present several health risks. Here’s what you need to know about preventing German Cockroaches.
How to Identify the German Cockroach
There are 70 species of cockroaches in the United States. Identifying a German Cockroach from other cockroach species involves assessing the size, color, and habits of the cockroaches.
German cockroaches are light brown or tan and have two dark stripes on their bodies. They’re larger than most cockroaches, ranging in size from about ½” to ⅝” long. They have wings, although they rarely fly. While all cockroaches can enter homes and businesses in search of food and water, the German Cockroach is typically found near warm, humid environments like your kitchen or bathroom.
How to Prevent Cockroach Infestations
Cockroaches only need a tiny opening to get into a home. They are attracted to Dallas homes for their constant supply of food and water. Preventing them is challenging, as they can come into a home with pantry items, in used furniture, or even in pre-owned electronics. Your best defense against cockroach infestations involves keeping a very clean home. vacuum regularly and clean up spills as soon as they happen, keep human and pet food in tightly sealed containers, and wash trash bins to eliminate potential cockroach food sources at the bottom of the trash bin. Since cockroaches feed at night, wash all dirty dishes before going to bed and be sure to wipe up counters with disinfectant spray nightly. Roaches love grease on or under appliances! Check your home for cracks and crevices and use caulk or weather stripping to seal all possible entry points.
What Risks do German Cockroaches Present?
When German Cockroaches share your home they present many health risks to your family and pets. They can contaminate food and utensils by transmitting bacteria from their bodies and feces, resulting in food poisoning or diseases such as Salmonella, E. coli, and dysentery. And cockroaches have been linked to causing asthma attacks, rashes, and allergies.
Why is it Hard to Get Rid of German Cockroaches?
German Cockroaches lay up to 40 eggs at a time which hatch in about two months. This rapid reproduction causes infestations to grow quickly. There are not many natural predators to cockroaches in a home, which means the population will continue to grow and become extremely difficult to eliminate without professional pest control help.
To eliminate a cockroach infestation or prevent one from happening in the first place, call Evolve Pest Control. We are experienced in locating German Cockroaches in Dallas homes and getting rid of them.
