The German Cockroach is the most common roach worldwide. You can find them in residential settings, but they also seem to thrive in our Tampa restaurants, hotels, nursing homes, and other commercial facilities. Here is a short list of traits to help you recognize this roach:
Light brown to tan color with two dark parallel stripes on the back
Six legs
Oval shape
Antennae
½-⅝ long
Has wings but doesn’t fly
Dangers Associated With German Cockroach
German cockroaches can be a serious threat to your health, and cause a number of problems. As they move about through sewage, over dead animal bodies, or spend time with decaying food, cockroach legs will pick up germs and transfer the germs to you. German cockroaches are known to spread the following:
- 33 known types of bacteria
- Six types of parasitic worms
- Seven human pathogens
Cockroaches are also asthma and allergy triggers for many people. According to the EPA, children are more susceptible to allergies. The allergens are made up of roach fecal matter, shed skins, and saliva. Hands down the German cockroach is the most dangerous of all the roaches. Prevention is the key to avoiding these issues.
Call In The Pros
You don’t have to be a professional to know that you don’t like roaches. Nobody likes them. Yet they are a part of our existence. Bold Servicing says they don’t have to be. With our cockroach extermination program you can live a roach-free existence. Call for a free estimate today.
Infestation Prevention
There is no absolute method to prevent cockroaches from taking up residence in your Alabama home, but with these tips, you at least have a fighting chance.
- Empty your trash cans often and keep them clean.
- Clean up crumbs from counters and floors daily, including spilled pet food. Do not leave pet food out overnight.
- Vacuum & sweep daily.
- Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight. Run the garbage disposal frequently. Make sure food is not left in sink strainers and dry sinks each night
- Keep food (including pet food) sealed in airtight containers.
- Wipe down appliances, be sure they are clean of food and grease.
- Clean out the clutter in your garage and attic, especially cardboard. Use plastic storage boxes rather than cardboard when possible.
- Seal entrances around utility pipes.
- Ventilate basements and crawlspaces to prevent moisture build-up.
- Use a dehumidifier in your home.
Picking and choosing a few things from this list will not help you. You need to be completely proactive in this battle. By doing these simple things you are engaging in the IPM system. This is a method that blends old-school common sense housekeeping methods with modern pesticide application. The benefits of this are fewer chemicals in your home (which is a good thing) and it gets you into a routine of good habits that will keep out other pests as well. In the end, you will be very happy that you implemented these routines.