The German cockroaches are considered the worst cockroach species as they are hard to get rid of and often need professional treatment. In addition, they also carry salmonella, gastroenteritis, dysentery, and many more.
Does seeing one German roach mean infestation? No, but it’s best to deal with them right away as they are known to multiply quickly. German cockroaches are good at hiding. You can use the methods given in this guide or call a pest control professional if you feel that you can’t take on the task yourself.
Furthermore, these cockroaches can also worsen allergies and asthma due to their feces, cast-off skins, and more, which will be further discussed in this guide. So, let’s get this started!
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Are German Cockroaches Harmful?
The German cockroaches are harmful pests since they carry viruses that cause several health concerns, such as triggering allergies and asthma, among others.
It’s also very concerning to have them at home since they can reproduce very quickly.
Where Do German Roaches Come From?
Interestingly enough, these roaches are not originated in Germany (like their name implies) but in Southeast Asia, where they start to spread out all around the world.
Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, taxonomist, and zoologist gave the name Blattella germanica to these roaches in 1767, and from there, these roaches are called German roaches.
These roaches are easily carried from the grocery store, neighbors, and commercial suppliers. For instance, they can catch a lift when you buy groceries and unknowingly make their way into your kitchen cabinets and pantry.
They are also prone to thrive in warm areas with food supply, so it’s best to look for cracks in your home and repair them right away to prevent infestation.
How Do You Get a German Roach Infestation?
German roach infestation starts from food waste, poor trash management, leaky pipes, sinks, or other water sources. These things attract the roaches to your home, so make sure to do something about them.
For instance, wipe the spills and food crumbs on your countertops, floors, and shelves. Also, it’s best to wash all the dirty dishes right away after eating to avoid attracting German roaches to your kitchen.
How Bad Is My German Roach Infestation?
Like other cockroach species, the German roaches can endow some disease-causing microorganisms through their skin shed and excrement. These things leave some people with watery eyes, itchy feelings, and sneezy feelings.
To know how bad your infestation is—if you have five or fewer German roaches, it can be taken as a light infestation. Meanwhile, 10 to 25 cockroaches are deemed as a moderate one.
However, if it exceeds 25 roaches, it can now be classified as a heavy infestation, and immediate action is advised.
How Long It Takes to Eliminate German Roach Infestation?
German roaches infestation can reach up to five weeks to fully get rid of them from your property. However, you will see the numbers reduced by at least 70% to 80% during the first week after the treatment.
Can German Roaches Infest Cars?
German roaches can infest cars if they get attracted to them. This means that if your car has some leftover food crumbs, these roaches would love to settle in your car.
As much as possible, never leave anything that will attract these stinky pests into your car. Aside from possessing nasty scents, they can also cause sickness to you and to the people who ride with you.
How to Stop a German Roach Infestation?
Getting rid of German roaches is one of the most challenging jobs. This is because they can multiply rapidly and often need professional help to solve the issue.
But, with the combination of the following methods, getting rid of these pesky roaches can give you a much higher success result:
1. Spray
One of the best ways to get rid of the German roaches is using a German cockroach spray, like the Ortho Home Defense Ant & Roach Killer. You can spray this under sinks, along the baseboards, kitchen, bathrooms, etc.
Just spray this to any affected areas of your home and wait for the result. Reapply as needed.
Note: If you have already set some roach baits, refrain from using this method since the cockroaches need to be alive to share the baits with their fellow roaches. Furthermore, if you have pets or kids and want something more natural, you can opt for Ortho Home Defense Ant & Roach Killer with Essential Oils.
It’s safe to use around pets and kids and effectively kills various flies and mosquitoes.
2. Bait
German roaches are always searching for food and water. So, you can take advantage of this situation by mixing food and water with Ortho Home Defense Roach Bait.
It’s one of the best ways to eliminate roaches hiding behind your walls and cracks. Just put at least one bait station in every six feet in the bathrooms, along the baseboards, kitchens, and wherever you notice roaches’ activities.
For complete instruction on proper product usage, always refer to the product’s label for the best result.
3. Prevention
As the saying goes—prevention is always better than cure, so do your best to build a bug barrier that effectively kills existing roaches and discourages others from intruding on your place.
You can do that by using insecticide spray, such as Ortho Home Defense Max® Indoor Insect Barrier, which eliminates and prevent roaches from invading your property. This insect barrier spray can protect your place for up to 12 months. For correct usage, always refer to the product’s label.
Here are some tips to keep German roaches away from your home:
- Store your food and pet food in air-tight containers to prevent roaches from contaminating them.
- Repair leaky sinks, pipes, and drains to wipe out possible water sources that supply their water needs.
- Declutter regularly.
- Caulk, seal and repair the cracks in your place and other small openings.
Since these pests love dirty places, make sure your home areas are always clean. This way, they won’t have anything to love about your home and will not spare time to invade it.
How Do You Naturally Get Rid of German Roach Infestation?
If you dislike using chemicals for pest control, you’re in luck! There are several items that you can use instead of foggers, bombing, and spray, such as the following:
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is among the easiest and fastest methods to eliminate the existing German roaches in your pantry and other home areas. To create a DIY roach bait using baking soda, just dice some onions and combine them with the baking soda.
Once done, put it to the areas where you notice recent roaches’ activities. Once consumed, the baking soda produces gasses in the stomachs of the cockroaches, pushing them to burst.
2. Borax
Borax is another readily-available home product that’s typically used for laundry and excellent for eradicating roaches. To use the product, mix equal parts of white sugar and borax.
Once done, sprinkle the mixture at any site where you frequently see cockroach activity. When these pests ingest the borax, it will dehydrate them fast, killing them rapidly.
3. Boric Acid
Boric acid is another natural ingredient for German cockroaches. What’s good about using this product is that it’s safe for pets and children.
When the roaches come into contact with the boric acid powder, it sticks to their legs and wings. Once they start cleaning themselves, they will likely ingest the powder, causing their digestive and nervous system to act up, killing them rapidly.
To eliminate roaches using boric acid, just sprinkle a dusting of boric acid into a paper plate, and put a spoonful of peanut butter or orange peel. After that, put it to the areas where you notice several roaches’ activities.
4. Citrus
Citrus can a tasty treat for us humans, but it’s highly repellent to German roaches. The scent of lemons, in particular, is disliked by roaches so much.
So, take advantage of it by adding a few drops of lemon oils or lemon juices to water and mop your floors using it. The odor won’t be noticeable to people, but it will be to roaches due to their heightened sense of smell.
5. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is an all-natural Roches solution. This is made from granulated, fossilized diatoms. Its particles are sharp and can cause severe dehydration to any pests that come in contact with it, including any roaches types.
The DE impairs their exoskeletons and dehydrates them, leading to their death. Since there are two kinds of diatomaceous earth—the food grade and the regular, it’s always best to opt for the food-grade version since it’s much safer to use.
6. Essential Oils
Essential oils are also another fantastic natural roach deterrent. For the best results, consider buying peppermint or lemongrass essential oil, mix it with some water and spray the solution on the affected areas.
How Long Does It Take To Get Rid of German Roaches?
It can take up to five weeks to thoroughly get rid of German cockroaches after treatment. Nonetheless, in the first week alone, you can notice their reduced number, which is essentially making difference to the infestation extent.
How to Clean a German Roach-Infested House?
To clean a German roach-infested home, consider doing the following necessary actions:
1. Clean the kitchen thoroughly before the pest control schedule happens and keep it as tidy as possible if you want long-term results. This aids in eliminating contending food sources for insects.
In addition, if the kitchen is uncluttered, the roaches will be more enticed by the bait and not the food sources.
2. Unload all kitchen drawers, cupboards, and pantries. Put the food items in sealed containers and place them in boxes after or on a fully covered table.
Also, pull out all the cooking utensils and cutlery and put them into sealed boxes.
3. Cover all the items close to the treatment area that can’t be moved.
4. Scrub or mop the kitchen using detergent soap.
5. Keep your home tidy and free from any food debris and leaks to avoid attracting German roaches again.
What Causes German Roach Infestation?
Some of the most common causes of German roaches are the things that attract them to your property, which include the following:
1. Water
Roaches need water for survival just like other animals, and when they find that your home has this feature, they will not waste time settling in. So, if your faucets or pipes are leaky, make sure to have them fixed to prevent attracting these tough-to-get-rid pests from your home.
2. Food Sources
Cockroaches are omnivore creatures—which means they will eat anything! This includes their favorite food that can be found within the kitchens, such as sweets, greasy food, starches, and meats.
They also find dirty dishes attractive for food scraps and pet food scattered on the floor.
3. Shelter
One of the reasons why roaches enter houses is to find shelter. They can live in hollowed-out wood, behind picture frames, and in damp places such as behind the toilet or beneath the sink, etc.
These pests go indoors when the temperature starts to drop and find a quiet, away from everyone’s sight location, where they can live and thrive. They usually find these places in the attic, basements, and under old, large appliances stocked somewhere on your property.
4. Landscaping
Although these roaches usually live inside the house, they start foraging your yard for food, water, and shelter. Standing water in gutters, birdbaths, plant pots, fruit plants, and birdseed attract these roaches to your property.
What Do German Cockroaches Hate the Most?
Roaches hate the scents that most humans love, such as:
- Bay leaves
- Cinnamon
- Coffee grounds
- Citrus
- Eucalyptus Oil
- Garlic
- Tea tree oil
- Peppermint
If you want to use something stronger, you can opt for bleach or vinegar. Just mix any of the listed deterrent items with water, except for bay leaves, cinnamon, and coffee grounds, and spray it on the affected areas.
For bay leaves, crush and put them into the affected area to be effective. Meanwhile, ground cinnamon and sprinkle it in the areas where you often see roaches,
And last but definitely not least—is coffee grounds! Just sprinkle it directly to the affected site and see the declining number of roaches coming to your place.
Summary
German roaches are challenging to deal with, but with the methods given in this guide, you can stop them from their invasion. However, if you have tried everything but to no avail (which is rare), you can always call in a pest control professional to do the job for you!
List of Sources
The Cockroach and Allergic Diseases