Out of all the pathogen-spreading pests, cockroaches are probably the worst, and unfortunately the most common you’re likely to encounter in your Tulsa home. With their small, flat bodies and swift-moving legs, German cockroaches can squeeze through the smallest cracks and crevices, making them the perfect household infiltrators. If these pests make it into your home, you’ll want to get rid of them as quickly as possible, but detecting their presence isn’t as easy as you might think.
German Cockroach Appearance And Warning Signs
German cockroaches only grow to about 5/8 of an inch in length. They’re tan to light brown in color, and they have flat oval-shaped bodies with fully developed wings, though they can’t actually fly. They’re pretty strong runners, though, and they can travel several miles in a single night. While this is impressive, it’s not exactly something to admire; cockroaches are super-spreaders for some nasty diseases, which means if you have an infestation, your entire Tulsa home is probably contaminated.
These pests are also experts at hiding since they only emerge from their darkened corners after the sunsets. Cockroaches are nocturnal scavengers, so the likelihood of you catching them in broad daylight is slim unless you already have an overwhelming infestation; you’ll probably notice other evidence first:
- Excrement; this will probably look more like small piles of ground pepper
- Brown smears; a different kind of excrement, often caused by excessive moisture
- Egg capsules; small reddish-brown casings that look like seeds or beans, and a single capsule can hold between 10 to 60 eggs
- Shed skin; cockroach nymphs shed their skin up to six times before reaching maturity
- Musky odor; cockroaches release a hormone in their excrement that possesses a foul, musky smell
The Dangers German Cockroaches Bring To Tulsa Homes
Cockroaches thrive in damp, grime-coated environments, so they scuttle through bacteria-ridden areas on a regular basis. When they infest a Tulsa home, they bring all those nasty pathogens with them, and they make quick work of contaminating high-traffic surfaces:
- Dysentery
- Plague
- Typhoid fever
- Leprosy
- Salmonella
- Cholera
- Campylobacteriosis
- Listeriosis
On top of those life-threatening diseases, they also cause some severe complications for children, the elderly, and especially people with asthma and breathing problems. Their excrement and shed skin contain a fair amount of allergen irritants, and they’ve been known to cause the early development of asthma in small children as well.
German Cockroach Prevention Tips For Your Tulsa Home
Preventative measures aren’t always completely effective, but it never hurts to be proactive, especially when cockroaches are involved. The biggest problem areas are usually entry points, food sources, and excessive moisture, and the best first step is to seal up any cracks and holes around your home. Worn-down insulation around windows and door frames, gaps between pipes and wires, and cracks around the exterior of your home are the most likely culprits, but it’s nothing a weekend DIY project won’t remedy.
Staying on top of a regular cleaning schedule is important too. Keep crumbs off the floor by sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming weekly, wipe up any messes immediately after they happen, and wipe down all food prep and eating surfaces daily. Addressing moisture issues may be the most costly, but it’s absolutely crucial in keeping cockroaches away. Fix any leaky pipes and extensive water damage, and invest in a dehumidifier for moisture retaining rooms such as kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and basement.
How To Eliminate A German Cockroach Infestation In Your Tulsa Home
Attempting to get rid of cockroaches on your own is frustrating at best, and all the harmful chemicals in store-bought pesticides make it dangerous to attempt. Luckily, you don’t have to fight this battle alone; our pest experts at Montgomery Exterminating know what it takes to get rid of tricky pests while also keeping your loved ones safe. Our pest control treatment plans are built to handle every unique request, and we don’t stop until your problems are solved. So get in contact with us today, and get back to feeling safe in your home again.
