The heat and humidity are at their height in Florida. It’s time to start seeking shade, shelter, and hydration. But we aren’t the only ones trying to get indoors; German cockroaches become most active during the summer months, thriving in hot and humid conditions. At Cadenhead Services Pest Control, we have been leading pest control in Crestview for three decades. We want you to know how to stop these sneaky, stubborn pests.
Hidden Insects: Rooting Out The Hidden German Cockroaches
Stumbling upon a German cockroach is an eye-opening moment. If you find a cockroach in your house, you may ask yourself, “Does one of them mean more?” Sadly, with German cockroaches, it’s almost a guarantee. These pests hide out, shuffling around at night and sticking to dark and secretive places. If you want to surprise them and not have them surprise you, you can look for them:
- Behind kitchen appliances
- In attics (especially in boxes or under old storage)
- In basements
- In bathrooms
- Down drains
- In crawl spaces
- Anywhere hot, humid, and tucked away
If you don’t actively scout out your property, you may not find them before they’ve reached untenable numbers. These pests reproduce rapidly and set up multiple nests.
Phases Of The German Cockroach Lifecycle
Due to their lifecycle, German cockroach populations grow exponentially. Syncopated generations mean that if you find adults somewhere, there will be younger nymphs elsewhere. Catching them all is difficult. Their lifecycle has three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
Usually, a German cockroach takes 100 days to mature. Certain factors can extend this amount of time, such as temperature, food consumption, and individual differences. Due to their long interim of nymph-hood, there will most likely be 20% adults and 80% nymphs in a full-scale infestation.
German Cockroach Prevention Tips For Crestview Residents
Prevention is much more effective than eliminating an existing infestation. If these pests get out of hand, they are one of the worst to deal with. They are infamous among other types of cockroaches because they are smaller and thus more capable of hiding away. Best practices on how to keep cockroaches away include:
- Seal up all cracks and crevices on the house exterior. The smallest inlet can become sufficient access for an adult to drop her eggs and start her new nest.
- Dry up all standing water. Cockroaches love moisture.
- Use a dehumidifier.
- Treat drains.
- Use airtight containers for food.
- Frequently inspect quieter parts of the house, like basements or attics.
- Check behind appliances often.
- Get rid of old cardboard, newspapers, or boxes.
Spotting a nest may mean other nests are already in progress around the property. What keeps cockroaches away is being aware of what they want and checking for them frequently in the summer months. That’s when they generally infest, so you might be lucky and catch the first brigade. Florida is unmercifully humid. Keeping a house dehumidified can help deter cockroaches by depriving them of the moisture they like.
Unfortunately, store-bought cockroach control products aren’t as effective as they seem. This is due to cockroaches’ ability to develop resistance to pesticides and their habit of spreading throughout an entire property. You will inevitably need assistance, which is where Cadenhead Services Pest Control comes into play.
Professional German Cockroach Extermination In Crestview
German cockroaches are no trifling matter. If you manage to kill a few nests, you’ll probably spot a few more of these disease-spreading pests in a few weeks. The thought of these insects can be overwhelming, but we are here to help.
Cadenhead Services Pest Control has led the pest control industry in Crestview, FL, and the surrounding area since 1983. With active participation and investment in the community, we make sure Crestview homes and commercial properties stay sanitary and safe from any test from any pest. Give us a call today.
