Throughout central Florida, many residents and businesses have to deal with cockroach infestations all year long. The German cockroach is not only the most common roach to infest buildings, it’s also one of the biggest threats. Not only do these roaches breed at a rapid rate, they’re also infamous for carrying disease and dangerous pathogens. To avoid dealing with a full-blown infestation, it’s important to learn German cockroach facts and info that can help identify them.

In this article, the experts at Heron Home & Outdoor share the top German cockroach facts to know.

What to Know about German Cockroaches

If you have a cockroach infestation, there’s a high chance German roaches are the culprits. Some of the main German cockroach behaviors and habits to know include:

1. German cockroaches are best identified by their pronotum (protective plate behind the head), which has two longitudinal dark stripes.
2. These roaches are found in residential and commercial kitchens or bathrooms.
3. German cockroaches typically prefer areas of high temperatures and high humidity.
4. German roaches are indoor pests. While rare, they can survive outdoors in warm weather.
5. German cockroaches have an extraordinary rate of reproduction. One female cockroach and her offspring can theoretically produce hundreds of thousands of offspring a year!
6. The ootheca (egg case) of the German cockroach contains between 35–40 eggs, which take one month to hatch.
7. German cockroaches can carry or transmit diseases and pathogens that may be dangerous to humans.
8. German cockroach infestations can cause severe asthmatic reactions in some people.
9. They are able to climb on smooth surfaces because they have a sticky pad called an arolium on their feet.
10. German cockroaches prefer to spend their lives hidden and protected. They typically hide inside walls, behind cabinets, inside appliances, and more.

Prevent German Cockroaches in 4 Steps

Cockroach infestations are dreaded by any property owner not only because they’re gross, but because they’re difficult to control. There are four main German cockroach prevention tips to be proactive about:

• Always keep all food in sealed containers, secure your garbage securely, and store pet food in sealed containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Properly clean your space on a regular basis, eliminate clutter, and be wary of carrying in old items before inspecting them for German roaches.
• On a regular basis, clean out areas that are typically dark and rarely disturbed.
• Promptly address leaks or excess moisture in the home, such as standing water.

Our German Cockroach Extermination

When it comes to getting rid of German cockroaches, you’re almost always going to need the help of a professional exterminator. Because these roaches spread so quickly into different areas of your Orlando or Sanford FL property, a pest control company can ensure complete removal of the entire infestation. Heron Home & Outdoor can be trusted to keep you, your family, and your property safe from German cockroaches all year long.