Unlike many other area pests that only invade homes when essential, German cockroaches prefer living indoors and have no problem relying on humans to provide them with their necessities. If you suspect your home has a problem with these troublesome insects, here are three early signs to know they are around.
Live Cockroaches
German cockroaches are not the most apparent pest invaders. Unlike ants, flies, or centipedes, which will skitter under your feet without hesitation or fear, roaches do their best to stay out of sight and avoid human interaction at all costs. That said, there are certain situations where one of these pests will come out into the open.
One case in which you might see a roach is if the places they are hiding become overcrowded. This crowding is not an early sign of infestation, but rather a more serious one that tells of a severe problem.
Some cockroaches are outliers and exhibit braver personality traits, which makes them much more likely to crawl out into the open despite the safety of your home’s wall voids and dark recesses provide them.
Identify a German cockroach by its oval-shaped body, six barbed legs, light brown to tan color, long antennae, and the two dark parallel lines located just behind its head.
Fecal Droppings
You may be unlikely to see a live cockroach crawling around inside your home, but you will eventually start to see their fecal droppings. This coffee ground-like excrement stains fabrics and is often found along baseboards, under large appliances, and around more secluded areas of a home.
Shed Skin
As cockroaches mature, they go through several stages of development. Between every nymph form until reaching adulthood, these pests molt and shed their skin. This shed skin is white and often look much like a deflated cockroach when appropriately shed.
How To Prevent German Cockroaches
Several prevention strategies help deter cockroaches from invading homes. If you have some time on your hands and are willing to roll up your sleeves, here are some practical ways to protect your home against these pests:
- Keep your home, and especially your kitchen, clean.
- Limit the number of rooms where you eat food and drink.
- Pick up food messes and drink spills immediately after they occur.
- Store leftover food inside airtight containers.
- Empty your trash cans regularly and make sure they have tight-fitting lids.
- Use a caulking gun to fill in holes, gaps, and openings in your home’s exterior foundation.
- Repair damage to door/window screens, weatherstripping, and door sweeps.
- Declutter your home.
- Fix leaky piping and fixtures.
- Make sure your gutters are in good working condition.
- Use a dehumidifier around your basement, crawl spaces, and other humid areas of your home.
What To Do When German Cockroaches Invade
There is only one practical solution to handling a cockroach infestation, with help from a professional. At Prestige Pest Control, we offer detailed inspections, elimination services, and long term prevention for cockroaches.
With a passion for bugs and a commitment to high-quality, we will make sure your home gets the treatments it needs to fight back against any pest problems. Call us today to schedule your Chatham County home for a comprehensive service visit.