Indianapolis, IN Homeowners' Complete Guide To German Cockroaches

One of the most common home-invading pests in Indianapolis, IN is the German cockroach. Although it's not quite as large as American cockroaches, the German cockroach is still one pest you don't want in your home. Learn more about them and how to keep cockroaches away from your Indianapolis home.

What Are German Cockroaches?

Young German cockroaches are dark brown or black and have parallel stripes on their backs. Meanwhile, the adults have the same stripes but are usually lighter in color. Males are lighter than females and are typically light brown to tan in color. Although these roaches have wings, they aren't expert fliers. You’re much more likely to see a German cockroach run than fly. They're rather fast, so you might just see a brown flash scurrying by your feet.

German cockroaches like to hang out in warm and damp places. In homes, these Indianapolis pests are most likely to be in the kitchen and bathroom. They want to know that food is nearby, so they don't often live in uninhabited areas of the home.

Dangerous Creatures: What Makes These Cockroaches So Harmful

It's not just the barbed legs and intimidating appearance of German cockroaches that make them undesirable pests. In addition to looking like something from a horror movie, German cockroaches are dangerous. Before entering your home, a roach picks up all kinds of bacteria and pathogens. They walk across your counters and food, contaminating everything in their path.

When you touch a contaminated surface, you risk ingesting whatever disease the cockroach was carrying. The same is true of eating food that a cockroach crawled on. If you have a cockroach infestation in your Indianapolis home, your health is on the line.

Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a small infestation. Once German cockroaches get into your home, the trouble begins and will persist. These insects reproduce at an alarmingly fast rate and may take over before you even realize it. With the ability to breed as many as six generations a year, German cockroaches are one of the worst cockroach species to have in your home.

How To Avoid Infestations

German cockroaches have strong carapaces that make them resistant to most types of do-it-yourself (DIY) pest control. Therefore, it's crucial to take measures to keep these roaches out of your home. Although a pest control expert can eliminate an infestation, the task isn't an easy one.

You can make your life easier with pest prevention and following these steps:

• Clean Regularly:  As frequently as you might try to clean, life can get in the way. Cockroaches rely on your crumbs for meals, so do your best to clean regularly. Don't leave crumbs on your tables, floors, or counters. Whether you use a mop or a vacuum, remember to clean up after meals.
• Deep Clean:  Wiping down a few surfaces isn't enough to keep German cockroaches away. If you want to remove all the crumbs from your property, you need to deep clean once every few months. Move your appliances and get to scrubbing. 
• Reduce Moisture: If you have any leaks in your bathroom or kitchen, you will attract cockroaches. They need moisture, and leaks provide plenty of that. Another way to reduce moisture is to install vents or use dehumidifiers.

Hire A Professional

One of the best ways to prevent a cockroach infestation is to work with pest control professionals for advice. Before it’s too late call us at Action Pest Control to get help and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Indianapolis. Our experienced technicians use the latest tools and methods to get rid of cockroaches.