Several types of cockroaches live in Arizona, but only one of them causes a lot of headaches and concerns for homeowners in the Phoenix area. The cockroach most people see living in homes is the German cockroach. Unlike the American cockroach that will come into a home for food and then leave or the Turkestan cockroach that prefers to live its life outdoors, German cockroaches will invade your home and set up nests all over the place. If you see a cockroach running around your house, you should inspect your home to see if you should call a professional exterminator to eradicate the bugs.
What Does a German Cockroach Look Like?
German cockroaches are small. The body is rarely longer than 3/4 of an inch and they have translucent wings and a pale-brown body. Female German cockroaches are notorious breeders and lay a couple of thousands of eggs per year.
How to Tell Where the Cockroaches are Hiding?
German cockroaches particularly love the moist and dark areas in kitchens and bathrooms. They also like to hide in narrow passages like the seams in cabinets, around windows and doors, and inside appliances. There are a number of tell-tale signs to alert you to where they are hiding. Here are the signs you should look for when inspecting your home:
- Tiny Dark Spots: Wherever German cockroaches hang out, they leave little dark spots. These dark spots are the excrement of the cockroaches and are a sure sign you have a nest nearby.
- Bang on a Table: Cockroaches like to settle in the cracks and crevices in chairs and tables. All you have to do is bang on the table or chair, or lift it up and drop it down a little, and the tiny critters will fall on the floor and scurry away.
- Turn on a Light: One of the most tried and true ways of figuring out if you have cockroaches in your home is to keep the lights off in the kitchen and bathrooms and wait until nightfall before turning them on again. The cockroaches come out in the darkness to search for food and will usually be all over the place when the lights come on.
As soon as you become aware German cockroaches have invaded your home, you should call us right away at ACTION Termite & Pest Control to eliminate the problem. You can reach us at: (620) 899-2222 in the Valley and (520)882-0482 in the Tucson area.
