German Cockroaches

What do German cockroaches look like?

a german cockroach crawling on food in a home in pontiac illinois

German cockroaches may grow up to 5/8 of an inch in length. They are light brown or tan and have two distinctive black stripes running horizontally behind their heads. Females have a broader abdomen than the males. German cockroaches have wings, although they rarely use them for flying. Instead, they run wherever they need to go. Their nymphs are much smaller than the adults and have a dark abdomen and tan thorax with dark brown or black stripes on it.

Where are German cockroaches found?

German cockroaches are a common pest found throughout the entire world. They live outside, but are also found living inside in the dark, warm, moist areas of Quad City homes and other buildings. Their flat bodies are designed to perfectly hide inside cracks, crevices, and other dark, tight spaces. Like other species, these roaches enter homes while foraging for food and water, but in most cases, they enter in bags, cardboard boxes, or used appliances and furniture that are brought into a home. They move easily throughout homes and apartment buildings using plumbing pipes as their own personal highway system.

What do German cockroaches eat?

German cockroaches feed on a wide variety of food, feeding on whatever they come across; from soap and toothpaste to the glue in book bindings. They are scavengers and will take advantage of any small crumb left behind in your home.

DIY German cockroach prevention and control tips

Preventing German cockroaches from entering your home is very important because they are a health risk to you and your family. They leave behind large amounts of feces and shed skins which can lead to asthma and allergy symptoms, and they spread harmful pathogens that can make you sick. Once they invade a property, they are very difficult to eliminate. Tips to prevent problems with German cockroaches in your home include:

Installing door sweeps on all exterior doors.
Eliminating water sources like leaky pipes and fixtures.
Making sure that gutters are clear and directing water away from your home.
Storing food items in the refrigerator or in sealed glass or plastic containers, not out in the open on counters or tables.
Inspecting packages before bringing them into your home.
Inspecting used furniture and appliances before purchasing them and bringing them inside.
Cleaning up spills and crumbs quickly.
Washing dirty dishes right away.
Removing trash from your home regularly.
Cleaning behind appliances and furniture often.

Professional German cockroach control

The cockroach control professionals at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators have the training, skill, and equipment needed to control dangerous and disease spreading German cockroaches in your home. Our professionals have experience dealing with cockroaches and can help to prevent them from entering your home or business through our customized German cockroach control solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our pest control services.