How Can I Tell If I Have German Cockroaches in My Tallahassee, FL Home or Business?

German cockroaches are nocturnal insects that can be difficult to spot before a full-on infestation is present in your home or business. German cockroaches are especially abundant in Tallahassee and challenging to get under control. Follow this guide to learn how to spot the telltale signs of German cockroach infestations. The quicker you detect the infestation, the quicker pest control professionals can eliminate it.

What do German cockroaches look like?

German cockroaches are smaller than other common cockroaches in Tallahassee, FL, such as the American cockroach, ranging from ½ inch to ⅝ inch and are either tan or light brown. German cockroaches are more easily identified by two parallel lines that run from the head to the wings. Homeowners and business owners suffer from German cockroach infestations because they will go after pretty much anything, including human food, soaps, glue, and even beer.

What are signs of a German cockroach infestation?

If you think you have German cockroaches in your home or business, look out for evidence that they leave behind.

Live cockroaches
Droppings
Exoskeletons
Smell
Smears

Live Roaches: Adult German cockroaches are typically 1/2 to 5/8 inch long and are tan to light brown in color. Although they have fully developed wings, they do not fly. German cockroaches are best identified by their small size and two dark parallel lines or “racing stripes” running from the back of the head to the wings. Getting close enough to identify a cockroach isn’t always an option because of how fast them move and how gross most people find them to be.

Droppings: Cockroach droppings will look similar to coffee grounds or pepper that show up near the edges of rooms and under appliances like refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, in cabinets, and other areas where food is stored. Because cockroaches aren’t solitary or inactive creatures, droppings will appear pretty much everywhere they travel. If you find cockroach droppings, chances are they aren’t living far away.

Exoskeletons: The average roach will shed their skin anywhere from five to eight times during its lifespan. If you discover even a single skin, you may already have an infestation.

Smell: Cockroaches give off a musty odor that can be rather strong and can linger on anything that these insects touch. In most cases, stench caused by cockroaches indicates a large infestation. Even one cockroach can release a detectible scent.

Smears: You may also find darkish smears on the floor of your building, near low horizontal surfaces, or in bathrooms and kitchens where there is plenty of water or moisture. Visible smears caused by cockroaches are generally a sign of a severe infestation. These marks are created when the bodies of cockroaches rub against surfaces as they move around at night.

Did you know cockroaches can trigger allergies in some humans? Puzzled as to where that sneezing and coughing is coming from? It could be cockroach activity in your home.

How do German cockroaches get indoors?

Cockroaches are constantly searching for basic survival elements: food, water, and shelter. Humanmade structures such as homes and commercial buildings provide a haven for cockroaches, especially when they go undetected or left without professional pest control. Some things that attract German cockroaches are frequently overlooked, such as leaving trash around for longer than necessary or neglecting to clean up any spilled food.

Cockroaches will find their way into your home or business through any tiny crack in the wall, floor, foundation, or around drain pipes under sinks and dishwashers. They are opportunists that prefer conditions such as damp basements and open pantries where food stores are plentiful, and there are ample places for them to hide and avoid the light. Because German cockroaches are so common in Tallahassee, infestations can spread and relocate when a visitor unknowingly brings boxes carrying roaches into your home or business.

How does Capelouto get rid of German cockroaches?

If you see any signs of cockroaches, call Capelouto Pest Control right away. By the time that most homeowners or business owners notice a cockroach infestation, it’s usually already severe. Cockroaches are extraordinarily resilient which is why DIY strategies practically always fail. Give us a call or fill out the contact form on this page to schedule a free German cockroach inspection at your home!