Fort Worth’s Complete German Cockroach Control Guide

When it comes to cockroaches, people don’t often care what species we’re talking about — they are all nasty and unwanted. While this is certainly a valid stance to take, knowing your enemy is the only way to truly defend against them, so learning about cockroaches will actually help you prevent them from getting onto your property. German cockroaches are the most common invasive variety around, and they can bring a whole mess of other problems in with them. Only by learning how to spot the signs of cockroach activity and take early preventive measures can you completely protect your Fort Worth property against a cockroach infestation.

German Cockroaches: An Introduction

While there are larger cockroach varieties in the world, none are more prevalent throughout the world than the German cockroach. Their name is a bit of a misnomer, though, because they are found plenty of places outside of Europe. Like other cockroaches, German cockroaches have six legs, long antennae, and a pair of wings that they use to flutter short distances. German cockroaches can be spotted easiest by their figure-8 marking, which rests right atop their heads and is often yellow or tan in color — lighter than the dark brown of their exoskeletons. 

The Dangers Of A Cockroach Problem

Cockroaches aren’t just skittering nuisances that are gross to behold, they are dangerous creatures that can lead to far larger problems. Here are some of the worst problems caused by cockroaches:

• Damage: Cockroaches can chew through packaging, damage interior wall panels, and leave smearing stains all over the surfaces that they walk across.
• Disease: Cockroaches are known to spread dangerous illnesses, including salmonellosis and plague. They also can carry fleas, ticks and other harmful parasites.
• Odor: Cockroaches leave their urine and feces all over, as well as their discarded skins, all of which contribute to gross, musty odors throughout a property.

German Cockroach Prevention

Because they can lead to such serious and annoying problems, it’s important to act on cockroach prevention long before they ever even pose a risk to your property. Only early prevention can give you a fighting chance at warding off an infestation:

• Food storage: Cockroaches forage for food and can thrive off the stored items or crumbs left over in a home or business. They can survive on scraps, though, even eating things that we wouldn’t normally think of as food.
• Trash storage: Cockroaches don’t need to get at stored food if they can scrounge in the trash. Make sure bins are securely lidded.
• Crack sealing: Cockroaches can flatten their bodies to squeeze into impossibly tight spaces. That means no hole or crack in your exterior is too small for them and you should repair any that you find immediately.
• Moisture control: Cockroaches are attracted to dark, moist areas. That makes proper pipe maintenance and ventilation crucial for preventing them, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

The Best Protection Comes From Cantu

If a German cockroach population makes it onto your property, you’re not likely to be able to remove it on your own. That’s why you should contact Cantu Pest & Termite for timely, effective solutions. Even if cockroaches aren’t a problem yet, our helpful team can make sure you’re doing all you can to prevent future infestations. We’ll provide more tips on things you can do and offer home pest control solutions that are far more effective at keeping cockroaches and other pests out. Let us get started on an inspection right away to figure out what your best course of action is. Don’t try to go it alone on cockroach control for your Fort Worth home, and don’t waste your time and money on things that might not even work.

For ultimate protection from German cockroaches, trust Cantu Pest & Termite.