German Cockroach Control: How To Get Rid of German Cockroaches

This page is a general German cockroach control guide. Using the products and methods suggested you will get control of German cockroaches. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee 100% control of German cockroaches.

If you have woken up in the middle of the night to head to the kitchen and turned the lights on, you may be startled to see an infestation of roaches scurrying on the tile or the counter. These are most likely German Cockroaches, the most common and widespread cockroaches found in the United States. German cockroaches are a particularly frustrating pest to control because they are persistent and multiply at high speed, breeding at a rate of up to six generations per year.

There are many reasons why you might be facing a German cockroach infestation. These roaches could have easily been transported in items brought into the home like electronics or even grocery items, or they could have come from a neighboring house or apartment. Not keeping a regular cleaning schedule can also invite a German cockroach infestation.

Because German cockroaches feed and forage on rotting or decaying organic material, they often come in contact with bacteria that they spread to food serving surfaces and utensils. They have been responsible for spreading salmonella, e. Coli, among others. Their droppings might also create allergic reactions to some people, which is why its so crucial to address the infestation before it gets worse.

If you have German cockroaches infesting your home, the following guide can help. Our DIY experts have put together the best professional-grade roach control program designed to specifically target German cockroaches and we will explain to you how to eliminate them quickly and affordably.

Identification

Before you can proceed with a treatment plan, you need to make sure that you're dealing with German cockroaches and not some other pest. Misidentification can lead to using the wrong treatment methods and products, ending up wasting you wasting time and money. Below you can find the common traits that set German cockroaches apart.

German cockroaches are a brownish to black in color, except for when they molt.  Many species have wings, though not all can fly, and roaches move very quickly.

• German Cockroaches are about 1/2 an inch in length.
• They are light brownish to black in color, except for when they molt.
• German cockroaches have oval-shaped bodies which often appear flattened.
• Many species of German Cockroaches have wings, though not all can fly, and roaches move very quickly.
• They have dark parallel lines on their head, which is the main identifying trait.

Use the image and description above to properly identify German Cockroaches in your home, if you are not absolutely sure, you can contact us and we will assist you with correct identification.

Inspection

After you have confirmation that you are dealing with German Cockroaches you need to perform an inspection to locate problem areas where German cockroaches are infesting or where they are usually found.

Where To Inspect

German roaches are indoor pests that enjoy food and moisture so focus your inspection on the bathroom, kitchen, and basement areas of your home where moisture accumulates. Make sure to look inside and behind cabinets, shelves, drawers, pantries, under sinks, under and behind appliances and furniture, and close to cracks and crevices.

German Cockroaches also love warmth that radiates from electronics so check your devices, game consoles, computers, water dispensers, internet routers, power surge protectors and other such warm generating items as they gather up in these areas as well.

What To Look For 

You're looking for signs of German Cockroach activity. This includes droppings (that look like black pepper) which will be left behind on cabinets, drawers, shelves, and under appliances, and even under furniture. Search for egg casings (or oothecae) that look like brown grub worms.

Also keep an eye out for the roaches themselves. German cockroaches are nocturnal, so if you turn on the lights in your kitchen or bathroom late at night and see roaches scatter, then you will know for sure you have an infestation.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed German Cockroach activity this is where you will apply the treatment. Remember to read all product labels and follow the application instructions on these labels and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

The best way to get rid of German Cockroaches is by conducting a thorough sanitation of your home to eliminate food and water sources and then applying insecticides in the form of bait, adulticides and Insect Growth Regulators to attack all phases of the German Cockroach life cycle.

Step 1 - Sanitize Your Home

A thorough and detailed sanitation is a crucial first step if you hope to eliminate outbreaks of German cockroaches in your home. You can have the best control products and sprays out on the market but they will be rendered useless if this step is done haphazardly.

German cockroaches need 3 things to survive in your home-food, water, and shelter. The way to eliminate these from the home requires rolling up your sleeves and getting to cleaning. Clean your home, especially the kitchen thoroughly to make sure no crumbs, grease, or oils are left behind. Regularly take out trash and vacuum. Removing water sources by keeping areas dry and fixing leaks in plumbing etc. Seal off holes, cracks and crevices with caulk to take away areas of harborage for roaches.

Step 2 - Bait Placement with Apex Cockroach Bait

Once the food sources have been removed, you can utilize Apex Cockroach Bait by placing the bait strategically around your kitchen and other active areas of your home. Apex is a slow-kill bait so that the cockroach can have time to return to the nest and spread the lethal bait to others. Apex Cockroach Gel Bait comes in a syringe for simple application.

Apply pea-sized drops of Apex in areas that you found activity. Some prime areas include cracks and crevices and as spot treatments in and around cabinets, shelves, pantries, drawers, near plumbing (under the sink where plumbing penetrates walls), and behind and around appliances that generate heat and moisture, like coffee makers, microwaves, dishwashers, and refrigerators. You can even place a drop on a business card and slide it under appliances and under furniture that may be hard to reach.

It is best to use tiny drops of the gel bait as opposed to lines as roaches will only feed on one end or the other, not the middle. Leaving long lines of the bait will only waste product. You can place varying amounts of the bait depending on the severity of the infestation. Typically, it is recommended to place around 3 drops every square yard. Keep in mind that it is best to leave multiple small placements throughout the treatment area rather than one large placement.

Remember, this product is bait; you want the roaches to eat and bring the bait back to the nest. Remember not to kill or disturb the roaches eating the bait and do not use cleaning supplies or clean near the bait or the product will not work as intended.

Allow for 3 to 5 days to pass by for the product to take effect. Be sure to monitor your placements and replace when necessary. Keep the bait placements out of the reach of children and pets and where it will remain undisturbed.

Step 3 - Apply D-Fense Dust to Crevices and Voids

D-Fense Dust is a waterproof insecticidal dust that comes in powder form. It is a synthetic pyrethroid and affects the nervous system of cockroaches. D-Fense Dust is great to apply in voids and crevices where roaches will hide and are hard to reach.

By using a duster, the dust can be puffed into wall voids, behind electrical outlets and under appliances like the stove and refrigerator. It has a long-time residual, remaining effective long after application as long as the product doesn't get wet.

Use D-Fense with a pesticide duster for more precision in your application. Fill the duster with 0.5 lb or dust to cover 1,000 sq. ft and then apply it in crevices, behind appliances, behind electrical outlets by opening up the faceplates and other areas where roaches may be hiding.

Step 4 - Residual Spray with Novacide Aerosol

Finally, treat your home with Novacide Aerosol. This is an aerosol spray that is effective at controlling  German cockroaches and reproductive process. What makes Novacide best for controlling German cockroaches is that it contains 4 different chemicals, one of which is an insect growth regulator (IGR), and has a long-lasting residual.

The IGR in the formula is key because Novacide will not only kill any adult roaches that come into contact with the spray but it will also stop young German roaches from maturing into adults, breaking the pest's lifecycle and stopping the German cockroach rapid reproduction. 

Apply Novacide to all flooring surfaces. Hold the can upside down about 36" inches above the floor (around knee height) and spray 100 feet in 10 seconds in a sweeping motion. Start the back of the house and make your way to the front, making sure to apply in bathrooms and kitchens. If you have a heavy infestation, you may need to reapply Novacide every two weeks until the activity and population has been depleted.

Prevention

Once the German Cockroach population has been controlled, you should work to discourage German cockroaches from returning through preventative measures. Regularly inspect your home for roach activity and maintain a regular cleaning routine to make sure the place is properly sanitized and unwelcoming to roaches.  

Wipe countertops, mop and vacuum frequently to get rid of food crumbs and spills, and leave the sink dry every night and wash and dry all your dishes rather than letting them pile up and remain unclean overnight. Also, don't forget to empty out pet food and water bowls every night. Clean under and around appliances and maintain a spotless home that will not attract roaches.

You should also seal points of entry and cracks and crevices around your kitchen, bathroom and other areas of your home to taking away Cockroach hiding spots. This is especially crucial if you live in an apartment.

Finally, apply Novacide every 6 months inside your property to maintain control of roaches.

Key Takeaways

What Are German Cockroaches?

• German Cockroaches are a notorious household pest known for developing large infestations through its rapid reproductive process.
• German Cockroach adults are brown with distinctive dark stripes on their back. They regularly lay egg capsules or oothecae which brings about 30 to 40 nymph cockroaches.

How To Get Rid of German Cockroaches From Your Home

• Sanitizing your home is a crucial part of German Cockroach control as you need to limit or eliminate food and water sources that the cockroach is enjoying as this will compete with bait applications.
• Apply Apex Cockroach Gel Bait strategically in high activity areas for Cockroaches to consume and take back to their nesting site.
• Apply D-Fense Dust to treat appliances, voids and crevices where Cockroaches like to hide.
• Address the reproductive process of Cockroaches with applications of Novacide Aerosol which contains an IGR that will make adults sterile and cause eggs and nymphs to not be able to develop into adults.

Preventing German Cockroach Reinfestation

• Remember that sealing cracks and crevices, and getting rid of conducive conditions like water sources (dry sinks) and food sources (dirty dishes, food crumbs) will go along way in preventing German roaches from infesting again.
• You can apply Novacide Aerosol every 6 months to keep Cockroach infestations under control long-term.