How to Effectively Treat German Roaches in Your Home
German cockroaches are a resilient and pervasive pest, especially in warm and humid environments. Properly treating and eliminating them requires a multi-step approach that targets all stages of their lifecycle. This guide provides comprehensive tips on how to successfully control a German cockroach infestation.
Sanitation
Although they are quite hardy and can thrive in even the most challenging environments, but like all pests, they require food, water, and shelter to survive. Effective sanitation is a key factor in eliminating these roaches. Ensure that sinks, countertops, and all surface areas are kept dry and free of food debris or grease. It's also beneficial to seal cracks and crevices with caulk to eliminate potential hiding spots, making your home less attractive to these pests.
Control and Elimination of German Roaches
While insecticide sprays and foggers may kill some visible roaches, they are typically ineffective in fully eradicating a German cockroach infestation, regardless of the product claims. The most reliable methods for eliminating German roaches include using Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs), dusts, and baits. These solutions target the roach colony more effectively by disrupting their reproductive cycle and eliminating hidden roaches over time, ensuring long-term control.
Step 1: Identify German Cockroach Infestation Signs
German roaches are small (½ to ⅝ inch long), light brown, and identifiable by two parallel dark stripes running from head to wings. Common areas where you'll find German cockroaches include:
Kitchens: Behind appliances, under sinks, inside cabinets
Bathrooms: Around drains, under sinks, behind toilets
Utility rooms: Near water heaters or laundry areas
Pro Tip: Look for droppings, egg casings, and shed skins as signs of roach activity. They tend to hide in dark, moist areas where food and water are easily accessible.
Step 2: Clean and Declutter Your Space
One of the most effective ways to prevent and control cockroach infestations is through proper sanitation. Roaches are attracted to food crumbs, water, and shelter.
Seal Cracks and Crevices: Use caulk or foam sealants to block entry points around baseboards, doors, and windows.
Eliminate Food Sources: Store food in airtight containers and promptly clean up spills and crumbs.
Fix Leaks: Repair any water leaks under sinks and around pipes to deprive roaches of water sources.
Step 3: Use Professional-Grade Roach Baits and Insecticides
Using both roach baits and insecticides is essential for achieving long-term results. The most effective products to use include gel baits, insect growth regulators (IGRs), and aerosol sprays.
Gel Baits: Apply in cracks and crevices where roaches are active. Our favorite product for this is Vendetta Roach Bait Gel. Gel baits target roaches where they hide, and their slow-acting poison ensures they carry it back to the colony.
Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs): Products like Gentrol Point Source disrupt the reproductive cycle, preventing nymphs from maturing into adults.
Aerosols: Use sprays like Doxem NXT to flush roaches out of hiding spots and kill on contact.
Step 4: Monitor and Reapply Treatment as Needed
Eliminating German cockroaches can take weeks or even months depending on the severity of the infestation. Monitoring and reapplying treatments will help ensure that no new roaches emerge.
Sticky Traps: Place sticky traps in strategic areas to monitor roach activity after treatment.
Reapply Gel Baits: Replace baits every 2-3 weeks or sooner if they harden or stop attracting roaches.
Inspect Monthly: Continue inspecting common problem areas even after the infestation appears under control.
Step 5: Long-Term Roach Prevention Tips
Once your German roach problem is under control, it’s crucial to take preventative measures to stop future infestations.
Keep Food Areas Clean: Regularly wipe down kitchen counters, clean under appliances, and avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
Reduce Moisture: Use a dehumidifier in areas with excess moisture, like basements or crawl spaces.
Seal Entry Points: Continue to check for cracks or gaps in walls, floors, and windows where roaches can enter.
Inspect and Bait Placements
Below is a list of possible areas to inspect for bait placement:
Kitchens:
Appliances: Behind refrigerator, between the refrigerator and nearby appliance. Behind ovens, microwave, toasters, toaster ovens, coffee maker, blender, etc. Underneath ovens and dishwashers.
Drawers: Along the inside of the drawer frame and edges
Counter: Under the counter and in cracks and crevices
Hood: Inside the rear corner of hood (make sure that the gel does not drip onto food)
Cupboards: Inside cracks and crevices
Bathrooms:
Sink: Along the pipe collar where the drain pipe enters the wall.
Cabinets: Place along the cracks and crevices
Toilet: Mounted on the upper rear of corner
Areas of Condensation: Condensation areas such as tops of doorframes and cabinets, and picture frames, etc.
Other Rooms:
Couches and Beds: Accumulated food and crumbs that are hidden
Laundry Room/ Utility Room: Under and behind water heater and washer and dryer
Closets: Baseboards and upper shelving areas
Frequently Asked Questions About German Roach Control and Bait Usage
1. How much bait should I use?
This depends on the size and scope of the infestation. We suggest one to two tubes of gel or bait dust, if you are treating the kitchen only. Add two more tubes of bait gel or bait dust if you are treating other parts of your home
2. How long does the bait last?
Basically, the bait lasts until the German roaches quit eating the bait. This answer is not necessarily a precise answer, but it is a correct one. We recommend adding more bait after tow to three weeks to keep the bait fresh and enticing. If you use an IGR with the bait, it normally takes about three weeks for elimination. If you do not use an IGR, it takes about 4-5 weeks for complete elimination.
3. How do I keep German roaches from coming back?
We suggest using Avert Flowable bait as a long term choice. It stays active for a long time. It is not only a bait but acts like a tracking powder for roaches. This powdery roach bait attaches to roaches and is ingested as the groom themselves. The bait is limited to cracks and crevices and under appliances. It is designed to work with gel baits because the gel baits can be placed on open surfaces.
4. Can I spray with the bait?
Most sprays will contaminate the bait which makes it inedible to roaches. The exception to this contamination would be to use non-repellent insecticides such as Alpine WSG, Spectre PS, or Alpine aerosols.
