It isn’t easy to get rid of cockroaches, and German cockroaches are the worst of all roaches. Why? Because, out of the more than 4,500 cockroach species in the world, this one has completely adapted to living in close proximity to humans. There are no known populations of German cockroaches that do not live inside man-made structures or at least nearby. This is important to consider as you decide what you’re going to do about a German cockroach infestation in your Tucson home.

A Few More German Cockroach Facts To Consider

• The German cockroaches we have in Tucson are the same species found all over the world. Methods that work to manage and control them in other places work here as well.
• German cockroaches require a multi-pronged approach. You’re not going to have success getting rid of them with one product or one method.
• In the last century, a vast variety of synthetic, man-made products have been used to control German cockroaches successfully. Many populations of this species have developed a genetic resistance and are almost nearly immune to some of the products available to consumers.
• In the last few decades, some populations of German cockroaches have become bait averse. This is due to a genetic adaptation of their taste receptors. They no longer find the sweet ingredient found in most roach baits to be desirable. While bait can still work, it should never be used alone to control this species.
• German cockroaches have a higher tolerance for dry conditions than many other roach species. As an example, Oriental cockroaches, another common roach species in Tucson, will prefer to stay in culverts, sewers, damp landscaping, and in other exterior locations that are high in moisture and humidity. This is not the case with German cockroaches.

Quick Identification

It is difficult to actually observe cockroaches in your home. They prefer to stay hidden. If you’re seeing roaches crawling around (even one or two random roaches) it is a warning sign of a severe infestation. Experts say that when you see one roach, it is likely that you have thousands in your home. In light of this, we hope you don’t see cockroaches before you take action to remove them from your home. But if you do see them, you’ll probably want to be equipped to tell whether or not they’re German cockroaches.

• Adult German cockroaches are tan in color and have two dark lines on the back just below the head.
• On the back of an adult, you see wings stacked. Nymphs (young roaches) will not have wings.
• A German cockroach nymph will be mostly black and have tan, yellow, or orangish coloration running down the center, depending on the lighting. Nymphs look quite a bit different from the tan and shiny adult roaches because the wings of an adult roach cover the black coloration of the thorax and abdomen.
• An adult cockroach is about ½ to ⅝ inches long. Newly hatched nymphs are small enough to fit through the holes of an electrical outlet.

Pest Management

There are many general pest management methods that can work to deter German cockroach population growth, protect you from roach-borne illness, and potentially drive these insects out of your home.

• Control moisture. While German roaches don’t need as much moisture and humidity, they prefer to live in a home that has water available. Fix leaky faucets. Use the fan in your bathroom when you take a shower. Refrain from taking a shower in the evening to prevent water droplets from being available to roaches in the night.
• Protect your food. Store cabinet and shelf foods in sealed plastic containers. Keep food covered when you leave dishes out on the counter, island, or kitchen table. Store potatoes in a sealed bin.
• Remove food options. German cockroaches come out at night. Never leave pet food down overnight, and if possible, only put food down during meals.
• Roaches prefer rotting organic matter. You need to consider food sources that are very disgusting. Clean your trash bins. Keep trash in sealed containers. Clean your drains. Disinfect mops and mop buckets. Do a deep cleaning of your kitchen and get the sides of your oven and other areas that can have rotting food or juices.
• Roaches eat hair, dead skin, and also, as gross as it may be, feces. Make sure to clean your bathroom to remove food sources.
• Seal gaps, cracks, crevices, and holes indoors around the exterior of your home. This deters new roaches from getting in.
• Alter conditions near your home that promote cockroach activity, such as moisture, leaves, wood debris, etc.

These pest management tips can work together to help you get rid of German cockroaches, particularly if you have a small infestation. But when you have lots of roaches, or you are unable to address these conducive conditions, roach control products and methods must be applied.

If you need assistance with German cockroach control in Tucson, AZ, reach out to Pest Friends. It’s always good to have a friend in the pest control business. We apply a multi-pronged strategy to ensure complete control. Connect with us today for immediate assistance. We also provide commercial pest control for Tucson businesses.