Spotting One German Cockroach Almost Certainly Means More
Cockroaches are nocturnal, move quickly, and are excellent at hiding, making it difficult to catch sight of one. However, once you do see a German cockroach, you can be sure that there are many more hiding out nearby.
German cockroaches are expert hiders and will go to great lengths to stay out of sight. Some of their favorite hiding spots include:
- Inside cabinets
- Under sinks
- Behind toilets
- In between walls
- Behind refrigerators
- Inside drawers
German roaches usually pick their favorite hiding spot to lay their egg capsule, called an ootheca. One ootheca can have 20 to 30 nymphs inside of it. This means that if you see one German cockroach in your house, there may be more hiding elsewhere.
German cockroaches are flat, oval-shaped insects about half an inch long. They are lighter in color than most other cockroach species, appearing light brown or tan. Aside from seeing actual German cockroaches, you should also be aware of other telltale signs of their presence. You may find egg casings, which are brown, capsule-shaped, and about ? of an inch long. You will also likely see cockroach droppings that look similar to black pepper on surfaces or in drawers. German cockroaches also sometimes leave behind fecal stains on walls, which look like brown smears or spots. Lastly, if you have a large infestation, you may notice a musty odor.
Why German Cockroaches Are Considered Dangerous
German cockroaches can bite humans. However, this is rare and usually does not pose a direct health risk. The reason why German cockroaches are considered dangerous is that they can spread serious illnesses to humans.
Cockroaches spend their days walking around trash, fecal matter, and other filthy surfaces. They will then walk over and leave their droppings around your food, utensils, and food preparation areas. Some of the diseases that you can catch from German cockroaches include:
- E. coli infection
- Cholera
- Salmonellosis
- Gastroenteritis
- Dysentery
- Typhoid fever
- Listeriosis
Some of these illnesses can be life-threatening if left untreated. If you start to develop fever, nausea, weakness, headache, or chills after seeing a roach in your home, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Cockroaches are also known to trigger allergy symptoms and asthma attacks. If someone in your household is experiencing worsened allergies or asthma, German cockroaches could be the culprit.
Why You Can't Get Rid Of German Cockroaches On Your Own
Getting rid of German cockroaches on your own can be difficult because they are great at hiding. They also have a high reproduction rate. Just two German cockroaches can turn into a full-blown infestation in a matter of weeks. By the time you've realized your home has cockroaches, their numbers may have grown out of control.
There are many do-it-yourself and over-the-counter cockroach control solutions, but their effect is limited. Some of these methods only eliminate the fully grown roaches while leaving the eggs and the nymphs alone. This will give you the illusion that the roaches are gone, but the cockroach infestation always comes back in a few weeks.
The Best Cockroach Control Solution For McAllen Homes
The only way to effectively get rid of all of the German cockroaches in your McAllen home is to call an experienced pest control specialist. At BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control, we understand how difficult it is to eliminate every cockroach in your home. That is why we came up with a comprehensive multi-step plan that will not only get rid of cockroaches but also keep them from returning. Call us today for a free inspection and free estimate.