Dealing with pests is a part of every Huntsville homeowner's life at some point. Getting them out of your home can either require a simple solution or involve a lot of steps along the way. Some of the trickiest pests to find and get rid of are cockroaches. German cockroaches, specifically, like to hang out in Huntsville, scavenging from open trash bags and sneaking through the cracks in people's homes.
In this blog, we give you the low-down on German cockroaches, how they're harmful to your health, and how to prevent them from entering your home with one of the best Huntsville pest control companies, EnviroGuard.
Habits And Behaviors Of German Cockroaches
German cockroaches are a common species found all over the United States. They are between ½ and ? of an inch big and vary in color from light brown to tan. Like other cockroaches, they have an oval shape. What sets this cockroach apart from other roaches is that it has two dark stripes on its back, located behind its head. German cockroaches also have wings, but they rarely ever fly.
These types of cockroaches also prefer to live in warm, humid environments, which is why you can usually find them hanging around your kitchen or bathroom. However, German cockroaches can find their way into any area of your home where they'll find a crumb or two, such as your living or dining room or even your bedroom.
Another trait of these little pests is that they are fairly good at hitching a ride into your home from outside sources. Things like grocery bags, drink cartons, or secondhand appliances can all be the initial source of a cockroach infestation.
German Cockroaches Can Be Very Harmful To Your Health
Besides the common opinion that cockroaches are gross looking, they also pose a health risk to those living with an infestation. Like mice, cockroaches can carry bacteria and diseases and will transfer these pathogens onto your countertop.
Cockroach legs, droppings, urine, and saliva can also cause a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and other allergy symptoms. Living with a cockroach infestation can trigger a person's asthma pretty badly. If you find that you've been having any of these symptoms without any obvious cause, it could be that you have a German cockroach allergy.
The Trick To Getting Rid Of German Cockroaches And Keeping Them Out
Getting rid of German cockroaches can be tricky and almost impossible to do on your own. These little creatures are excellent at hiding and mostly come out at night when you're not around. In addition, even if you've found one or two cockroaches and killed them, there could be more eggs somewhere waiting to hatch.
The best way to get rid of cockroaches in your home is to hire a professional roach pest control company to exterminate them.
Five Tips To Prevent Future Roach Problems In Your Home
Once you get rid of cockroaches, it's imperative that you change some of your own habits and behaviors to stop them from coming back. Here are five tips on how to deter cockroaches from your home:
- Seal any cracks and crevices around the exterior and interior of your home and install screens over drains and vents to prevent roaches from coming inside.
- Properly store food in tight containers that are impenetrable by cockroaches.
- Clean up any kitchen or food messes quickly, and don't leave dirty dishes in the sink.
- Remove all excess moisture from any problem areas by using a dehumidifier or other means.
- Make sure all trash receptacles are cleaned regularly with soap and water and have proper tight-fitting lids.
Following these five tips is a great way to prevent future cockroach infestations from occurring in your home. In the meantime, if you're battling German cockroaches, don't hesitate to call a licensed professional who can get them out of your house safely and effectively. At EnviroGuard, we have years of experience and know how to get cockroaches out of your home and away for good.