Practical Tips To Keep German Cockroaches Out Of Your Home
If you have ever gone looking for tips on how to get rid of cockroaches, or how to prevent them from getting into your home, you may have experienced a little bit of information overload. Some of these informational videos or websites require a special college degree to understand what you are looking at. So, this article was written so you could have a simple, easy-to-understand list of practical tips any homeowner can implement in order to keep German cockroaches out.
First off, what is a German cockroach? While this insect has the word "German" in its name, it does not actually come from Germany. It is more likely that this species of cockroach originated in Asia. But, when considering the problems it causes, this is irrelevant, because it is now found in every area of the world.
A German cockroach is a flat, oval-shaped bug with 2 sets of wings, 2 antennae, and 6 legs. Its rounded wings stack on the top of its back and it is tan in color with 2 dark brown parallel stripes on the back of its head. On its legs are tiny, thorn-like tactile spines, but they are so small they are hard to see. An adult German cockroach only grows to be around 13-16 mm in length.
Steps To Keep Control These Cockroaches Out
In Your Yard
- Make sure all of your exterior trash cans are tightly sealed. The smell of trash, and access to it, will attract cockroaches.
- Don't leave any leftover barbecue, or pet food, or birdseed, or any other source of food for cockroaches around the outside of your home.
- If you have a compost pile, keep it well away from your home.
- Dry up any areas of wetness, or moisture. Make sure your gutters are working properly, trim back bushes and shrubs, etc, so that air and sunshine can get in to dry things out. And fix any leaky spigots or other water leaks you may have around your property.
- Remove areas of weed overgrowth. Cockroaches and other pests love to hide in weeds.
- Remove any unnecessary lawn clutter. Roaches and other pests use these to hide as well. Also, lawn clutter is often a place where water collects, thus giving pests a place to drink. It also gives mosquitoes a place to breed.
- Seal up any gaps and cracks on the outside of your foundation or outer walls.
In Your Home
- Repair leaky pipes, sinks, etc. And, dry out areas that weep or sweat (such as toilets) using a fan or dehumidifier.
- Thoroughly clean your kitchen and other places where food is present. Pay attention to areas that are often neglected, such as under toasters and between the side of the stove and the counter. Cockroaches love squeezing into tight places and getting the gunk that has been sitting there for months.
- Wipe out cupboards, drawers, and cabinets to remove any food sources.
- Always wash dishes, or place them in a sink full of soapy water instead of leaving them on the counter.
- Seal all food in the refrigerator or in tightly sealed containers.
- Vacuum thoroughly, especially where food may be present. Don't forget underneath couch cushions and under beds.
- Only feed pets at mealtimes, otherwise, pick up the pet food and store it away.
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 940-239-9786 today!
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Do you offer any organic/green/low toxic treatments?
We do offer “green” treatments because we understand that though the synthetic pesticides that we typically use are quite safe, some people for various valid reasons prefer a green approach to pest control. In addition to employing completely non-chemical measures such as structural and mechanical alterations (weep-hole exclusions, recommendations on door sweep replacement etc.) and glue traps or other monitoring devices, we have a number of natural and botanical insecticides that we can use to treat your home or business.
We commonly use natural products such as boric acid, diatomaceous earth, and a number of different botanical products (pyrethrum, rosemary oil, cedar oil, etc.). These products can be very effective when used properly. One downside is that they usually don't last as long as synthetic pesticides, so we generally recommend a more frequent treatment cycle, such as monthly, when using these products. Just tell the person you speak with on the phone or the technician who services your property about your preference and we will be happy to accommodate you.
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What type of payment options do you accept?We accept cash, check or credit card. We do ask that you pay at the time of service. Many of our customers put a credit card on file with our office. It is stored securely in our system and only charges AFTER the service is rendered.
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If your company puts out rodent poison at my house, will a rat die inside?Yes, this is a possibility. Ideally, we prefer to use traps on the inside and in the attic, and then place rodent poison in protected stations on the exterior (which could reduce the likelihood of having a rodent die inside). However, anytime a rodenticide is used, there is always a threat that a rat or mouse could die on the inside. If the dead rodent can be located and removed, this will fix the smell. Otherwise, we sell odor control products to help with unpleasant smells should this unfortunately occur.
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How many years have you been in business?We are a family owned, locally operated pest control company that has been in business since 1947. For over 75 years, our company has expanded its service area while continuing to provide exceptional customer service.
