German Cockroaches: Tulsa’s Worst Pest? 

Finding signs of cockroaches can be shocking and appalling for homes and businesses. German cockroaches are one of the most annoying pests in Oklahoma, and seeing one usually indicates more. What is worse? They can spread disease, and left untreated, your home could be at risk year round!

WHO (The World Health Organization) has identified 4,000 plus roach species worldwide. In Oklahoma, we mainly deal with American cockroaches, German cockroaches, Brown-banded cockroaches, and Asian cockroaches.  All roaches are uninvited pests, but here we want to focus on our arch nemesis, the German cockroach.

What are German Cockroaches?

Sometimes referenced casually as the croton bug, the German cockroach is a nocturnal, winged (but flightless), small species of cockroach. Less than 2cm, these roaches have made it to every continent except Antarctica. The German cockroach rarely infests outdoor areas and prefers dark, close quarters and ranges in color from light tan to nearly black.

They are typically found near dark, warm, humid spots in your home, such as behind your refrigerator. Being omnivorous scavengers, they also love to find their way into commercial businesses—especially ones with a plentiful food supply: restaurants, hotels, hospitals, etc. Of the domestic cockroaches, the German cockroach is perhaps the most invasive. 

German cockroach (Blattella germanica) on a thistle leaf

What Makes Them Such a Pest?

Not only an aesthetic pest, but German cockroaches can also contaminate food by transmitting pathogens when they feed or burrow. Their feces and bodies can trigger asthma in humans, even if they are dead! Females can lay approximately 40 eggs in one egg casing (ootheca) and create between 5 and 8 of them in a complete life cycle. That is around 200-250 eggs per female!

They tend to be chronic issues for large buildings like apartment complexes because they can spread through shared utilities and spaces. They love small cracks and crevices and can be incredibly difficult to remove permanently.

What Do I Do if I See Them in My Home or Business?

Call a professional immediately. If even a few ootheca/eggs survive a DIY treatment, you could see an entire infestation again in just a few generations. German cockroaches are so good at making your home their home for a few different reasons: 

  • Lack of natural predators in a human habitat
  • Fast reproduction
  • Short reproductive cycles
  • Sexually mature in a few weeks
  • Hide in hard to get to spaces
  • Adaptation and resistance to pesticides
Close up blattella germanica german cockroach

Studies have shown that German cockroaches develop resistance to certain pesticides over time. One study showed they have stopped reacting positively to sweetened bait, avoiding it with disdain. With these cheap traps becoming ineffective, professionals must treat every possible infested area. Catching an infestation quickly will mitigate the chances of recurring infestation.

Dead German cockroach

What Should I Do for Maintenance After My Home or Business Has Been Treated?

After an existing population has been eradicated with professional cockroach control, it is vital to ensure that preventative pest control treatments are utilized to keep them from returning. Homes and businesses that have already had active cockroach infestations are likely to have repeat or return occurrences if they don’t remain vigilant. Some steps that you should take for ongoing maintenance include:

Monitoring

Inspect bathrooms, kitchens, and any areas where German cockroaches have been seen in the past or have access to food and water. Check cracks and crevices, inside cabinets and drawers, hinges, always on electronics like your refrigerator or microwave, and any other place that is of concern. Using a flashlight can help the hunt in tricky areas.

Staying Clean

Being tidy is a huge preventative measure since German cockroaches love to find hiding places in clutter, and they will snack on any crumb possible. Remove trash regularly and clean the surfaces inside cabinets and underneath appliances. Clean and remove any dead cockroaches immediately as the nymphs feed on the molted/dead skin of the adults. Vacuums with HEPA filters are recommended for sweeping up roaches, dead or alive. 

Professional Control

Always utilize your local service professionals when removing and managing these pests. Professionals know what products to use, when to use them, and where to look. Various options are available in the form of dusts, gels, and liquids.

Don't Share Your Spaces with German Cockroaches!

Nothing can make a home or business feel less comfortable than an infestation. Fortunately, this isn’t a problem you will have to live with long when you partner with the cockroach control experts at Emtec Pest Control. Let us verify the extent of the problem, find out where they are hiding, and remove them quickly to help you regain peace of mind!

At Emtec Pest Control, we are committed to safe and responsible pest control. We understand that your family’s safety is your number one priority, so we make it our priority, too.

If you have any other questions about any of these pests or pest control for your home or business, contact your Oklahoma pest control experts at Emtec Pest Control by calling us or by filling out our online contact form.

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