You go the extra mile to be clean and tidy. You take out the trash often, you sweep, you vacuum, and you mop. So, how did you end up with German cockroaches on your property? The truth is, even the cleanest homes and businesses can wind up with cockroaches through no fault of their own. So, if you’ve got unwelcome guests and are wondering about German cockroach control in South Pasadena, here’s what you need to know.
About German Cockroaches
German cockroaches are the most common property-invading species in the world, infesting homes and businesses alike. Relatively small compared to some of their cockroach cousins like the American cockroach and Oriental cockroach, German cockroaches typically measure between 1/2 and 5/8 inch in size. They have a light brown or tan coloration with a pair of parallel black stripes on their back. Like other cockroaches, they have flat oval-shaped bodies with six barbed legs and two long antennae.
Just one German cockroach female can lay up to 40 eggs at a time. The eggs will develop into adults within two months and females don’t even need a male to fertilize their eggs, meaning a solitary female can cause an infestation all on her own.
Problems That German Cockroaches Cause
German cockroaches cause a number of problems, leading to them being considered the worst type of cockroach to have. The main issue with German cockroaches, as with other cockroach species, is that they spread disease and contaminate surfaces they come in contact with.
Cockroaches spend a lot of time in nasty places like garbage bins, bathrooms, and sewers. They pick up a multitude of pathogens that can be transmitted to humans and causes diseases including salmonellosis, dysentery, cholera, and more.
When a cockroach infestation becomes severe enough, it can even cause asthma. As saliva and shed the skin of cockroaches accumulates, it can irritate the respiratory system of certain individuals, provoking an asthmatic reaction and causing breathing difficulties.
German cockroaches are particularly stressful to have. They are adept at hiding and avoiding pursuit. Thanks to their small size and uncanny speed, they can avoid most attempts at being squashed or captured. Their tiny stature also allows them to breed and congregate in cramped spaces you can’t reach. Their rapid breeding cycle combined with their elusive characteristics makes them particularly annoying pests to have.
German Cockroach Prevention Tips
By following a few prevention tips, you can help reduce the population of German cockroaches on your property:
- Consistent cleaning: Stay vigilant when it comes to cleaning the areas where food is prepared and eaten. Make sure no crumbs or food scraps are left behind. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight where roaches can get to them.
- Garbage disposal: Make sure that trash isn’t piling up indoors. Keep any bins tightly closed inside. If possible, try to put garbage in receptacles a good distance away from your property.
- Food storage: Cockroaches will gladly raid your pantry in search of a snack and their flat bodies let them easily slip into many packages. Store your pantry items in secure containers with tight-fitting lids to keep roaches out.
- Seal off entrances: Inspect your property for any opening that cockroaches could squeeze through, especially around the foundation and plumbing. Seal gaps with caulk. Don’t forget to replace any faulty weather stripping or door sweeps.
The best thing you can do to protect your South Pasadena home from pests is to get professional support from the South Pasadena pest experts at Kat’s Pest Solutions. With our personable, customer-oriented approach, we will work with you to understand your problems and eliminate them at the source. Say goodbye to roaches once and for all and get in touch with us today.