Intelligent Pest Management Services Inc - Toronto Pest Management Services

QUICK STATS:

Color:

Light brown to tan with two dark stripes

Shape:

Oval

Size:

1⁄2 – 5⁄8 inch long

Region:

Found throughout the U.S. and the world as well as Southern Ontario

OVERVIEW:

The German cockroach is the most common species of cockroach, found all over the world. German cockroaches prefer to live in cracks and crevices near food and moisture sources, hence their affinity for residential and commercial kitchen environments.

PREVENTION:

• Vacuum frequently and dispose of garbage regularly.

• Keep counters and floors clean and free of crumbs that attract pests.

• Pay extra attention to kitchens and bathrooms, especially under appliances and sinks as these areas are particularly vulnerable to cockroach infestations.

• If you suspect an infestation, contact a licensed pest professional to recommend a course of treatment.

HABITS:

German cockroaches are found throughout structures, but they prefer warm, humid places. They are commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms. They are good hitchhikers and often find their way into new structures via grocery bags, cardboard boxes, drink cartons and secondhand appliances.

THREATS:

In addition to being a nuisance, the German cockroach has been implicated in outbreaks of illness and allergic reactions in many people. Cockroaches have been reported to spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. Medical studies have shown that cockroach allergens cause allergic reactions in children and can exacerbate asthma attacks.

DID YOU KNOW? German cockroaches…

• can breed at a rate of up to six generations per year.

• will feed on almost anything, including soap, glue and toothpaste.

• can fit through an opening as small as 3/16 inch in width.