Houston's Ultimate Guide To German Cockroach Control

Houston’s German Cockroach Problem

The German cockroach in Houston is one of the smallest species of roaches in the world. These light brown pests only measure about a half-inch long, giving them an advantage over the larger roach species. Equipped with their tough, yet flexible outer shell, these small roaches can squeeze themselves almost completely flat. This allows them to squeeze through most of the cracks and crevices in a building’s foundation, which is why they’re the most common cockroach invader of homes and businesses.
 
But though they may be smaller than other roaches, they are just as nasty. As they explore places like sewers, landfills, or dumpsters in search of food, German cockroaches pick up a variety of harmful bacteria. Once they enter your home and begin searching for food, they can transfer the bacteria to your food and meal-preparation areas, putting you at risk of dangerous diseases like salmonella, E. coli, and more.
 
Along with dangerous bacteria transmission, German cockroaches also secrete a pathogen as they move around that can lead to allergic reactions in adults and children. The effects of this pathogen are compounded by the prolific nature of German cockroaches: once they’re in your home or business, they’ll breed at rapid rates, avoiding human interaction until the infestation is far too severe to deal with on your own.

Avoiding Infestation

Even though German cockroaches are incredibly difficult to get rid of once they’ve invaded your home or business, there are a few things you can do to try to avoid an infestation in the first place. Now, these tiny pests can’t be dealt with using the usual prevention methods that can keep larger pests out, and many of the homemade remedies or store-bought sprays achieve inconsistent results at best. Rather, your focus should be on limiting the factors that will attract them into your house in the first place.

• Cleaning regularly: This invasive species can survive on just a small crumb each day, so cleaning needs to be a priority. Wiping down tables and counters, along with vacuuming the floors, can help reduce loose crumbs. However, you can’t forget about the low-traffic areas (like behind kitchen appliances) which is where these pests frequent. 
• Food and trash storage: Leaving food out on the counters or in the sink overnight is one of the fastest ways to attract roaches. Since they’re so small and flexible, you also need to make sure that all of your food and trash is stored in tightly secured containers.
• Limiting moisture buildup: German cockroaches are highly attracted to dark, damp environments. Limiting condensation with dehumidifiers and fans in poorly ventilated areas like basements and crawlspaces can help, along with carefully monitoring your pipes for leaks.

While these methods can help lower your chances of a cockroach infestation, you could still incur an infestation that will spread rapidly. Since roaches are afraid of light and human interaction, you’ll rarely see more than one at a time, but there could be multiple nests within your walls. That’s why many of the home remedies to prevent or eradicate roaches are typically ineffective, as homeowners rarely know the full extent of an infestation. The best way to keep out or get rid of German cockroaches is with professional assistance: Modern Pest Control. Give us a call today to guarantee a roach-free environment in your home or business.