German Cockroach 101: Identification, Prevention, And Removal For McAllen Homeowners

Do you know there are no active populations of German cockroaches around the globe outside of human settlements? These problematic little insects rely on people to survive. If you are not careful or have no preventative measures in place, you could find yourself up against an active roach problem. That's why we've put together this guide. You need information about cockroaches to effectively stop them from entering your home, and you'll find everything you need here.

Let's take some time now to talk about cockroach identification, some of the problems these pests cause, proactive and practical preventative measures, and a surefire way to get these bugs out of your home. Call your friendly BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control if you've been seeing roaches crawling around your living areas. We will share some of our options for cockroach removal and help you schedule an inspection for your property. Read further to understand these pests better and learn how to repel cockroaches in McAllen using DIY methods.

German Cockroach Identification Guide

The German variety is the most common type of cockroach found inside local homes. One thing that helps this insect invade is its size. The average German cockroach is between 1/ and 5/8 of an inch long and has a light brown to tan, pill-shaped body, six barbed legs, two long antennae, and two dark parallel lines behind its head.

The early nymph stages of German cockroaches are even smaller than other nymphs and are able to fit through the holes in electrical outlets. Keeping all of this in mind, waiting to see a live roach inside your home is not recommended. German cockroaches, like other common pest roaches, are nocturnal; this means they only come out at night. The only time these pests will come out into the open during the day is if they are particularly brave or cannot find food at night due to overpopulation. Food shortages are typically caused by large infestations that eat all possible scraps at night, leaving no leftovers for other colony members.

If you want to identify these pests before your problem reaches this point, you will want to look for the signs they leave behind. Let's examine a few common signs of cockroaches that will help you spot an active infestation inside your home.

Shed Skins:

Cockroaches molt several times while developing, leaving behind shed skins. Their skins can look like hollow roaches or small scraps of thin parchment.

Dead Roaches:

Cockroaches eventually pass away. The longer you have an infestation, the more likely you will be to see dead roaches around your home.

Grease Marks:

Roaches love to crawl through filth. They then drag their oily bodies over surfaces indoors, leaving behind dark grease smears.

Odd Odor:

Fecal droppings left behind by cockroaches have a pungent aroma. If your home smells musty, these bugs might be the cause.

Fecal Droppings:

Cockroach droppings are small and black. Many people mistake them for coffee grounds at first.

Check for these signs around your pantry, kitchen appliances, attic, basement, and other secluded areas indoors. If you are nervous about inspecting your home for roaches, let us do it for you. We are highly trained to spot all sorts of pests and would be more than happy to pay you a visit and look around for roaches.

Reach out to BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control today if you have questions about our inspection services or are ready to schedule an appointment for your McAllen property. Otherwise, keep reading to learn more about the problems these pests cause and some methods to prevent them from getting into your home.

German Cockroach Problems: Why They're Worse Than Other Roaches

The German cockroach is not inherently evil or aggressive. In other words, this insect is not out to get you. But this does not mean that they aren't a problem. German cockroaches cause tons of issues passively. For instance, they spread diseases. They pick up harmful, sickness-causing organisms from the dirty things they eat and the filthy places they visit.

The German cockroach alone can carry and spread 33 harmful bacteria, 7 pathogens, and 6 parasitic worms. You might get sick from interacting with a contaminated food, item, or surface. A few common diseases you might get from these bugs include:

• Salmonellosis
• Cholera
• Dysentery
• Typhoid fever
• Listeriosis

Do you want to know something disturbing about German cockroaches? These bugs eat human saliva, tears, and skin follicles. If you wake up with pink eye, there is a chance that German cockroaches were nibbling around your eye while you slept.

Spreading diseases is not the only problem with a German cockroach infestation. One other common issue is property damage. These insects love to nibble on things like book glue, paper, and fabrics. Thankfully, this is not as big of a concern with smaller infestations. However, you will notice this problem more and more as these insects reproduce indoors.

Another thing you might notice is a negative decline in your home's air quality. Cockroaches shed and defecate. These dry by-products break down like dust and act as irritants for people with asthma and other respiratory problems. We would like to help you avoid all these problems by providing you with some advanced cockroach prevention and control options. Here is a great place to start.

Proactive And Practical German Cockroach Prevention Tips

Before we talk about professional roach control near you, we want you to know the methods you can use to reduce your chances of finding these pests indoors. We recommend starting with a thorough inspection of your home. Once you know there are no cockroaches indoors, you can move on to proactive and practical preventative measures. Let's go over some of them:

• Inspect your home's foundation for gaps, holes, and cracks. Use a caulking gun and some silicone caulk to repair these potential entry points.
• Make sure there are no gaps or damage around wires, utility piping, and vents around your home's exterior.
• Check all of your windows and doors for air leaks. Seal these leaks using some weatherstripping, door sweeps, or a sealant.
• Invest in new screens to replace the damaged ones around your home. In addition, keep all unscreened windows and doors shut when you are not using them.
• Remove clutter around your yard and trim back bushes and tree branches away from your home's exterior to create a dry perimeter.
• Check storage boxes, furniture, and other items before they enter your house. Cockroaches like to hitchhike into homes inside things like these.
• Repair damage to pipes inside your home and make sure all of your fixtures are in good repair.
• Store all your pantry items, pet food, and leftovers inside airtight containers. You might also want to invest in pest-proof pantry shelves.
• Invest in pest-proof trash cans, take out the trash regularly, and do your best to keep bins clean.
• Address food messes and moisture problems as they happen inside your home.
• Use a dehumidifier to keep moisture levels low.
• Wipe down your sink after use. In addition to this, dry and put away your dishes after washing them.
• Pick up and clean out pet food bowls before going to bed at night.

You might feel a sense of anxiety thinking about German cockroach control. We understand. German cockroaches are some of the most difficult pests to prevent. The good news is that you are not alone.

If you would like to keep these invasive insects out of your home but are not ready to tackle the problem yourself, turn to your qualified BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control team. We have the tools and training needed to identify, prevent, and eliminate all sorts of common and uncommon house pests. All you need to do is reach out.

Eliminate German Cockroaches In The House: Call In The Experts!

Finding a reliable option for pest control in McAllen can be a challenge. With so many local companies, it is hard to determine which will best serve your needs. At BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control, we work hard to stand out above our competition. With over 18 years in the pest control industry and shining reviews from our clients, you will not have to worry about the job getting done right the first time.

Whether you are looking to get rid of cockroaches or are simply searching for a good option to protect your home from an active invasion, we have what you need. Start by scheduling your home for an inspection. Your personal service technician will inspect your home for German cockroaches and let you know what they find. They will then walk you through your options for quick and effective control. Does that sound good to you?

Reach out to BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control to find out more about German cockroach control in McAllen and schedule a service visit for your home and property.