Roaches are unwanted guests in any home. The cons of having them around far exceed any pros in letting them stay.
While it is true that all roach species are nasty and can sometimes be challenging to eliminate, they differ in rank.
So, what’s the worst roach to have around?
We will answer that question exhaustively in the next couple of headings below.
Sure, all roach species are destructive, and you can’t afford to share your home with any. However, some species are relatively easier to eliminate in the case of an infestation.
Of all the known roach species, German roaches are the worst roaches to have. This is basically because:
- They reproduce rapidly.
- They grow rapidly.
- They have sticky pads on their feet to climb smooth surfaces.
These are the three main reasons German roaches top the rank. But how do these make them the worst roaches to have?
We discussed that and more in detail in the guide.
In the following headings, we will discuss why the German roach is the worst in homes. Also, we will discuss ways to prevent and resolve their infestation.
The Worst Kind of Roaches To Have
All roaches are nasty to have in your home. Of all the destructive species of roaches that can come into your home, the worst king the German roach.
You can identify German roaches by the two dark parallel strips that run from their head to their wings. They are usually smaller in size when compared to other roach species.
They are the worst type of roach to have in your home for the following reasons:
1. They Reproduce Rapidly in Comparison to Other Roach Specie
A female German roach can lay up to 30 eggs in one go.
Then they lay five batches of eggs in one cycle.
One female German roach can cause a full-blown infestation of 150 roaches.
2. They Grow Rapidly
Other roach species generally grow into adulthood within 11 to 12 months. However, the German roach reaches maturity in three months.
This attribute makes their infestation quite rapid and difficult to control when it happens.
If their extermination isn’t thorough, they will return in full force in no time.
3. German Roaches Have Sticky Pads
Unlike other roach species, German roaches have sticky pads on their feet.
This feature allows them to climb smooth surfaces such as kitchen cabinets and appliances. Doing this increases their chances of contaminating your food items.
In most infestation occurrences, German roaches find their way into homes through outside sources.
The usual suspects are cardboard, furniture, and secondhand items that house their eggs.
It would be best to be careful when bringing such things into your home.
5 Ways To Prevent a German Roach Infestation
People generally love company at home. They invite friends, host parties, and keep pets to satisfy this need. Seeing a dog or cat at their residence is not out of place when you visit a friend or neighbor.
One thing you will never see in anyone’s home as pets are roaches. You will likely never entertain a second visit to any home where you see several bugs.
When deterring German roaches, the best strategy is to prevent their infestation.
There are several ways to prevent this cruel roach species from entering your home. Some of these strategies include the following:
1. Seal Potential Entry Points
Seal up gaps, doors, and cracks in walls and floors that roaches could enter through.
You can seal these openings with meshes, concrete, silicone caulk, and tapes.
2. Practice Proper Sanitation
Roaches are generally unsanitary insects that enjoy staying in dirty environments.
If you don’t want them around your house, keep the outdoors and indoors of your home clean.
It would be best if you adequately sealed garbage bags.
Also, close garbage bins and keep them at a reasonable distance from the house.
3. Store Your Food Properly
Since roaches are attracted to food, properly packing and storing food items would keep them at bay.
Store your food items in sealed and air-tight containers.
4. Regulate Water Sources
Moisture is one of the German roach’s favorite attractions. However, it shares this in common with other roach species too.
So, fixing leaky taps, faucets, pipes, and the like as soon as you sight them would be best.
Roaches can survive without food for up to a month but can’t survive a week without water.
5. Sanitize Items Before Bringing Them Into the House
Sanitize newly purchased used items or store away items such as cartons, cardboard, and furniture.
Sanitize them properly before bringing them into the house.
German roaches like the indoors, food, and moisture.
If you can remove or regulate these three conditions in and around your home, you will successfully prevent them from infesting your home.
How To Get Rid of German Roach Infestation
A quick way to get rid of German roaches is by using insecticides. It would help if you always had insecticides in the home for occasions when you spot any insect.
You will prevent infestations by killing roaches immediately after seeing them.
Hiring any professional pest control company is your best bet in extreme cases of German roach infestation.
Once you see any signs of infestation, please search for a local pest control company and employ their services.
Conclusion
Roaches are unwanted guests in our homes, and rightfully so. They bring many potential hazards, such as diseases, allergies, and social embarrassment.
All roaches are nasty, but among their ranks, the worst roach to have in your home is the German roach.
The German roach ranks as the worst in homes because they multiply faster than other species and grow more quickly than other species.
This roach species has also evolved to easily find food sources in kitchens, increasing the risk of contamination.
You can prevent German roaches from entering your home by practicing good sanitation and sealing up entrances they could use to enter the house.
Also, regulate water sources, cover food sources, and sanitize used household items before bringing them into the home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do German Roaches Live?
German roaches have a lifespan that ranges between 8 to 10 months.
This lifespan duration is because German roaches reach adulthood way earlier than other roach species. The German roach reaches adulthood within 3 months of hatching.
What Living Conditions Do German Roaches Enjoy?
German roaches like warm and humid environments. Places like sinks, refrigerator sides, and pipes provide the best places for them.
You are most likely to find them in the kitchen and bathrooms.
What Do German Roaches Eat?
German roaches can feed on almost any organic matter, including inorganic matter like soap, glue, and toothpaste.
German roaches prefer foods with starch and sugar. For this reason, you are most likely to find them in the trash can and disposed food items.
Should I Call an Exterminator To Eliminate German Roaches?
You can take care of minor cases of German roach appearance with insecticides and other tips discussed in the guide.
However, in extreme cases of German roach infestation, it would be best to employ the services of professional pest control companies.