Among the roach varieties that may invade your home, German cockroaches are the most common. They tend to only reside in areas where humans live and are prolific enough to cause a severe infestation in a short amount of time. In fact, a baby German cockroach can reach adulthood in less than 40 days.

If you discover German cockroaches in your home, you may try to eradicate the population on your own. However, treating the infestation can be difficult due to the misconceptions that are often associated with controlling roaches.

Here are some of the misconceptions of roach control:

Misconception #1: Caulk Can Prevent German Cockroaches from Entering a Home

German cockroaches can be transported on clothing, handbags or other belongings. The bugs do not thrive in outdoor environments and tend to be transferred from one infested space another. 

These cockroaches can infest homes, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, schools and other places that humans frequent. As a result, a simple outing can result in the roaches being introduced into your home. 

A single cockroach egg case, which is also called an ootheca, can house up to 50 individual eggs. Thus, the roach population can develop rapidly once an egg case is deposited in a home.

Misconception #2: Sprays Can Eliminate a Roach Infestation

Many over-the-counter roach sprays work on contact. However, the roaches that scurry across your floors and countertops represent only a tiny portion of the overall population. The majority of the roaches are nesting in walls and other areas that are hidden from view. As long as the nests of the roaches survive, the infestation will continue to thrive.

Often a multi-faceted approach is needed to eradicate a German cockroach population. Professional exterminators may use gel baits, insecticide sprays and growth regulators to eliminate the roaches. 

Gel baits can be applied in dark corners of cabinets and other areas that the roaches may frequent. Once a roach consumes the bait, it may not die immediately. Instead, it can survive long enough to go back to its nest. If the roach dies in its nest after ingesting the bait, it can affect many other roaches.

Roaches are cannibalistic and feed on their dead. When a roach consumes the tissue of a dead roach that has eaten the bait, the live insect ingests the same poison, causing a domino effect.

Sprays are still helpful because they can kill individual roaches that contact the insecticide. Additionally, growth regulators can be used to prevent immature roaches from ever reproducing. 

Misconception #3: A Clean House Cannot Become Infested

Although cleanliness is an important component of roach control, a clean house does not make a home roach-proof. German cockroaches can only live a week without water. However, they can survive several weeks without food.

In the absence of traditional foods, the roaches can consume paper products, hair and rotting materials. Even the cleanest house can offer enough available resources for German cockroaches to thrive. 

Misconception #4: Do-It-Yourself Insecticide Applications Save Time and Money

When it comes to exterminating German cockroaches, many people believe that self-applications are more cost-effective than hiring a pest control specialist. However, the cumulative costs associated with multiple applications of insecticide products combined with the inevitable trial and error of a novice can be quite expensive. 

The specialists at Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control understand the habits of a cockroach. As a result, they can more easily find hidden nests and signs of occupancy throughout your home. In addition, they can apply the proper products in a safe and timely manner. 

Extermination products may have to be applied on a schedule in order to control cockroaches. Our team of professionals can ensure that a German cockroach infestation is treated effectively.