How To Get Rid Of German Cockroaches: 12 Powerful Methods!
“How to Get Rid of German Cockroaches” is one of the most common and urgent questions in pest control.
These sneaky invaders are a real headache as they turn nightmare by multiplying incredibly fast and resilient.
If you also face the same issue in your home, just lend me 15 minutes, and I make sure how to deal with them effectively.
As it is said, “A roach problem doesn’t get better on its own; it gets worse”. So, Addressing this issue is very crucial.
Let’s delve into detailed insights into controlling German Cockroaches and find viable solutions!
what are German cockroaches?
German Cockroaches are very small, light brown with special stripes in colors running down their back.
These are prevalent pests in the home that thrive in warm and humid environments, especially in the kitchen and the bathrooms.
They are specified as fast breeders and can produce very fast offspring in a short period, making it tough to contain.
German cockroaches feed on garbage and can spread bacteria that pose high health risks.
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german cockroach features
| Features | German Cockroach |
| Size | 13-16mm In Length |
| Color | Light Brown or Tan With Stripes |
| Wings | Have wings but rarely fly |
| Habitat | Prefer warm, humid environments (kitchens, bathrooms) |
| Reproduction Rate | Rapid breeders, producing large infestations quickly |
Fun Fact: German cockroaches are not actually from Germany, they are from SouthEast Asia!
Why German Cockroaches Are a Problem?
Here are the reasons why the German Cockroaches are a problem:
i. Fast Breeders: A single pair of German cockroaches can produce hundreds of offspring, leading to massive infestation.
ii. Disease Spreaders: They carry harmful bacteria that can contaminate diseases like Salmonella and E.coli.
iii. Allergy Triggers: Their droppings, skin, and saliva can trigger allergic reactions and worsen breathing issues.
iv. Resilient Survivors: They are tough survivors to eliminate as they have resistance to common insecticides.
V. Detection and Damage: As they are nocturnal, they are hard to detect and have the potential to damage furniture.
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German cockroach infestation signs
Here are a few German cockroach infestation signs:
i. Sightings: You can see live cockroaches, especially at night near the kitchen, bathroom, and moist zones.
ii. Dry Droppings: Find small pepper-like droppings near the drawers, carpets, and along the baseboards.
iii. Egg Casings: The small brown, capsule-shaped egg cases(Oothercae) will be left in different places.
iv. Skin Sheds: You can find discarded exoskeletons as they grow and molt.
Fun Fact: One female German cockroach can lay up to 40000 eggs in a year!
how to get rid of German cockroaches naturally
Here are the ways to know how to get rid of German cockroaches naturally:
1. Essential Oil To Keep Away German Cockroaches
Essential oil treatment works as natural cockroach killers as the strong odor of these oils can disrupt the sensory mechanism of these insects.
Try adding 10-15 drops of peppermint oil to the water and spray all areas of the infestation like cracks and nests.
You can also try alternatives like lavender and tea tree which also help your house to not smell like sewage.
Fun Fact: German Cockroaches can hold their breath for 40 minutes making them strong survivors.
2. Baking Soda And Sugar treatment
Try to create a potent mixture of baking soda and sugar in a 1:3 ratio proportion as bait.
As sugar is a luring factor, baking soda will react with the stomach acid causing a fatal reaction.
Make sure to keep this out from kids and pets for added safety.
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3. Catnip To Contain German Cockroach Infestation
You can use Catnip to repel these pesky German cockroaches. Catnip contains Nepetalactone, which is one of the strong natural cockroach killers.
Try pouring a few drops of catnip oil on the cotton ball and place it in different locations.
Replace the cotton balls once the scent fades off and for added efficiency.
Fun Fact: German cockroaches hate to hold, if the temperature is below 7 Degrees they freeze up!
4. Try Vinegar Solution To Deter Roaches
Take a decent amount of apple cider vinegar, a natural cleaning agent to deter roaches.
Mix it in equal parts with the water add that into the spray bottle and spray at the entry points.
This will not only help in repelling cockroaches but also deal with the musty smell in the corners.
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5. Citrus Peel And Neem Oil Spray
You can try using citrus peel placed all around the home. Try to spray some neem oil on these peels.
The juicy citrus smell mixed with the neem oil spray can disrupt the food trails of these German cockroaches.
They look for alternative places and leave our place. Replace and respray the oil timely for added effects.
Fun Fact: German Cockroaches can run about 3 miles per hour- Fast sprinters isn’t it?
how to get rid of german cockroaches in kitchen
Here are the tips to know how to get rid of German cockroaches in kitchen cabinets:
6. Deep Cleaning The Kitchen
Always keep a strict schedule to remove the food courses and grease that mainly attract German cockroaches.
Try to maintain the order of the appliances, cabinets, and hard-to-reach areas.
Immediately remove the crumbs, spills, and also food residues by using a vacuum and follow it with disinfectant cleaning liquid.
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7. Diatomaceous Earth In Kitchen
You can sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth in the kitchen where there are visible signs of the German cockroaches.
This is a natural powder that dehydrates and kills cockroaches and the best part is this is safe for kids and pets.
Fun Fact: Though they are strong survivors, they can last only up to a week without water!
8. Herbal Infusion To Curb Infestation
Certain herbs like bay leaves, rosemary, and sage can emit a strong herbal essence.
This herbal essence can deter pests including German cockroaches. Try to place them in your kitchen and the kitchen cabinets.
Replace them timely with the new ones for the added effectiveness to get away with the German cockroaches.
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how to get rid of german cockroaches in apartment
Here are the ways to know about how to get rid of German Cockroaches in apartment:
9. Use Professional Gel Baits
Unlike regular baits, professional-grade gel baits contain more potent attractants that are specifically designed.
Once attracted they consume this gel which acts poisonous in the first go.
You can apply this gel in the cracks, gaps, kitchen cabinets, and the washroom.
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10. Use Vaccum With Hepa Filter
Using Hepa filter vacuum cleaning can help you maintain your apartment flawless.
This especially helps in vacuuming cockroaches, their eggs, and small droppings from carpets, floors, and also hidden areas.
Make sure to dispose of the vacuum bag once your task is done to prevent further infestation.
Fun Fact: German Cockroaches have no restrictions in their diet, they eat anything from glue to wax!
how to get rid of german cockroaches in car
Here are the ways to get rid of German cockroaches in car:
11. Use Silica Gel Packets
You can use silica gel packets which can be found in new items like bags, water bottles, and even containers.
Try to place them in the hidden areas, they can absorb the moisture and create volatile conditions to keep the roaches away.
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12. Dry Ice Trick On German Cockroaches
Try to get some dry ice pieces and submerge in the water to get trapped carbon dioxide from the Dry ice.
Keep the windows closed, this will make the roaches suffocate and try to escape from the vent.
Leave the door open and vacuum clean to get away with the roach traces.
Fun Fact: Have you ever heard of ‘Cockroach superfood?’ It is because of the high nutrients present in its milk to the off springs.
How To Prevent German Cockroaches?
Here are the simple ways to prevent German cockroaches from your place:
i. Boric Acid: Always lightly dust boric acid to deal with various kinds of pests.
ii. Dehumidifiers: You can use dehumidifiers to maintain an unfavorable dry environment for roaches.
iii. Seal Entry Points: Always look for gaps in windows, doors, and vents to block access entry.
iv. Essential Oil Sprays: You can use this to keep away bad odors as well as tiny pests like German Cockroaches
v. Regular Cleaning: This is the key to keeping the area neat and clean without infestation.
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Frequently Asked Questions On How To Get Of German Cockroaches
1. how long does it take to get rid of german cockroaches?
It might take around 1- 3 months to completely get away with the German Cockroaches depending on the severity.
2. how much does it cost to get rid of german cockroaches?
Professional service can charge you around $100-$300 per service. This might vary with the intensity of the pest growth.
3. How difficult is it to get rid of german cockroaches?
As they reproduce fast and have a nocturnal nature German cockroaches are difficult to eliminate from your place.
4. What do German cockroaches eat?
They consume any organic material present in your home like paper, food crumbs, paste, and even soap.
5. When To Call A Professional To Kill German Cockroaches?
When your DIY tips fail and even if the issue persists call a professional to deal with them.
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