The most common of all the roaches seen in households today is the German cockroach. These tiny species can be seen not only in homes; but in restaurants, hotels, food processing facilities, and nursing homes. These nasty insects may only be 0.51 inches to 0.63 inches long, but they have the ability to carry germs and cause illness wherever they roam.
Originally from Asia, these critters are closely related to the Asian Cockroach and have traveled as far north as Alert, Nunavut. They not very tolerant to cold weather, so if they reach colder climates they tend to gather in human habitats. They are especially common in places like Florida, where it stays warm and humid most of the time. Even though they can be seen during the day, they are mostly seen in the evening hours.
German Cockroaches are flat and oval shaped, with spiny legs and long antennae. Immature roaches look much like their parents but are smaller, with underdeveloped wings. These insects are known to eat all kinds of foods and can attach themselves to your egg cartons, potato sacks, beer cases, and even used appliances and furniture. So the next time you’re shopping for furniture bargain at a thrift shop, you may want to give that piece a good look over before leaving.
Once these pests hitch a ride into your home their party begins. They will set up camp in your kitchen or your bathroom. They also like to hide behind baseboard moldings and cracks around cabinets. Don’t forget to check behind your pictures and clocks and under your stoves and refrigerators. Because German roaches do not like motions, they will avoid light. If you happen to see them during the day when you’re moving about, chances are you have an infestation of German soldiers. If this is the case, it’s time to get your boxing gloves on and knock these guys out one by one. But how?
The first thing you must do is inspect all boxes in your house. If you see any roaches, then I don’t think I need to tell you what to do. Give your house a thouough cleaning. Make sure all food containers in the fridge are sealed tight, and always rinse cans and bottles before throwing them in the thrash can. These are only preventative measures. You need to go in for the kill if you’ve been invaded by this army. Depending on how severe the infestation is, you will have to decide which method will kill these pests-and fast. You can waste your hard earned money and bring in the professionals, buy do it yourself with roach bait motels and other roach elimination techniques. Then there are the good old aerosols. Personally I have tried these and they only act as band aids. Cypermethrin insecticides are the most popular method of destroying the enemy. Maxforce Gel is the best professional bait you can use. But if you want to spend a mere two dollars and successfully get rid of this army, all you need is a plastic bottle of boric acid! I had an invasion of German Roaches and this got rid of them once and for all.