The common cockroach (lat. Blatta orientalis), also known as the oriental cockroach or - better known - cockroach, are common pests in houses and apartments. They are considered carriers of serious diseases. It is all the more important to fight the animals effectively.

A common cockroach rarely comes alone

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. detect infestation
  3. fight cockroaches
  4. Prevent cockroaches
  5. frequently asked Questions

    6. the essentials in brief

    • A cockroach rarely comes alone as they breed explosively, but they are nocturnal and photophobic making them difficult to spot.
    • Fighting them is difficult, which is why you have to repeat the treatments over and over again for months.
    • It makes sense to hire a professional pest controller.
    • A cockroach infestation is usually notifiable.

    Signs of a cockroach infestation

    The common cockroach is a true master of hiding. The nocturnal animals often go undetected for long periods of time - your home could be home to hundreds of these pests without your knowledge. In this section you will learn how to track down the cockroaches.

    First signs

    Cockroaches are nocturnal and there are always hundreds of them

    Many of those affected only notice that they have a cockroach problem when they see a live specimen at night or when they find a dead specimen. In such a case, you can safely assume that you have at least 200 more of these adorable little creatures at home - experts estimate that for every cockroach sighted there are at least 200 more hiding nearby. These findings also provide further indications of a possible cockroach infestation:

    • skin debris: During their development, cockroaches molt up to eight times. The stripped off skin coverings or residues therefore indicate a lively reproduction activity.
    • egg packet: Female cockroaches lay their eggs in packs near hiding places. The egg packets are about half the size of a coffee bean.
    • excretions: The excrement of the animals is also reminiscent of coffee, because it resembles the crumbs of ground coffee beans. The lumps are about a millimeter in size and often run in the form of long lines along or on walls.
    • food marks: Cockroaches are omnivores and not very choosy when it comes to choosing their food: Eaten food (especially fruit and vegetables) and damaged packaging indicate the presence of the pests.
    • Sweet smell: The animals communicate via certain scents, which we humans perceive as a sweet musty stench. An inexplicably unpleasant smell in the apartment can therefore indicate a cockroach infestation.

    digression

    What do cockroaches look like?

    The common cockroach or cockroach is up to three centimeters long and has a flat, beetle-like body. Their thin antennae are about a third as long as the dark brown to black colored body. The animals are found almost everywhere in the world and are masters of adaptation.

    Common hiding spots

    “Cockroaches love dark, damp and warm places. Let's make them uncomfortable!"

    The common cockroach is not called that without reason, because due to its food preferences, it prefers to stay in kitchens. Here it hides in even the smallest cracks and crevices during the day, only to go in search of food at night. The animals can also be found behind and in cupboards, as long as there are enough dark niches and corners. Nests have even been discovered under ovens, behind refrigerators or in electrical appliances such as toasters. Cockroaches hide almost anywhere, making them difficult to find and control.

    tips

    Incidentally, the animals live not only in the kitchen, but wherever it is dark, damp and warm. Thus, an infestation can also occur in the bathroom, in the boiler room or in the washroom.

    With these tests you can determine an actual infestation

    Now the listed indications for a cockroach infestation are quite vague, which is why you should definitely confirm your suspicion with the help of sticky traps. These are traps treated with special pheromones that attract and hold the animals. Of course, such traps are not suitable for effective control, but you can use the cockroaches caught to estimate whether and how severe the infestation with the cockroaches is.

    Incidentally, you can also build such a trap yourself by pouring beer into a bowl and placing it on the floor. The next morning there should be one or even more dead specimens in the liquid.

    digression

    Do not crush cockroaches

    Even if the sight of the animals frightens you: don't crush them! Until shortly before hatching, female cockroaches carry around packets of eggs, which you then stick to their shoes and spread around the rest of the apartment or elsewhere - with the result that the plague only gets worse. Quite apart from that, it's very hard to actually step on cockroaches. The animals are seemingly indestructible.

    Effectively fight cockroaches

    As soon as you are certain about the cockroach infestation, you should act as soon as possible: not only do the animals reproduce very quickly, they can also cause diseases (e.g. tuberculosis, cholera etc.) as well as asthma and allergies and are therefore classified as harmful. When combating it, it is important to have patience and not just rely on a single method. On the other hand, it is important to whip up a whole package of measures and apply them over a period of several months.

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    Basic Measures

    It starts with these basic measures, which initially deprive the cockroaches of their livelihood and which ultimately show their effectiveness in combination with chemical control agents.

    • Do not keep open food supplies.
    • Neither in cupboards, nor in pantries or in the basement.
    • Freeze all foods that can be frozen.
    • Carry out a thorough cleaning of all rooms.
    • Also clean behind, under and in cupboards and appliances.
    • Use a steam cleaner or hot water, because at temperatures above 60 °C, eggs, larvae and the adults die.
    • Seal holes and cracks in walls and floors.
    • Scatter diatomaceous earth behind and under cupboards, appliances and garbage cans.

    Also, make sure it is meticulously clean so that the cockroaches can no longer find food. Crumbs and hair on the floor must be removed immediately. Also, take trash outside and don't leave used dishes lying around.

    Use of pesticides

    Poisonous feed baits are particularly effective in fighting cockroaches

    Now you can start fighting the pests. So-called anti-cockroach gels, poisonous feeding baits and other insecticides, with which a large number of adult cockroaches and larvae can be killed, have proven particularly effective in this regard. However, you cannot fight the eggs with these measures, which is why new animals hatch from time to time. Therefore, repeat the fight at regular intervals. But beware: These insecticides are not only toxic to cockroaches, but also to pets and children. So place them just beyond their reach!

    digression

    Why sugar traps don't always work

    If the selected cockroach traps do not work, it could be because of the sugar. Cockroaches are extremely adaptable animals that have been able to survive on earth for many hundreds of millions of years thanks to this characteristic alone. But it also means that cockroaches seem to be repelled by the sweet attractants for several years. In this case, switch to a sugar-free bait.

    When should a professional pest controller be hired?

    The best possible control method - as well as the one that promises the greatest possible success - is simply to hire a professional pest controller or exterminator. There are means and methods available that you as an inexperienced layman do not have.

    How to prevent a cockroach infestation

    With a few measures - which are admittedly not always easy to comply with - you can ensure that the common cockroach will no longer be seen in your home in the future.

    • Don't leave leftovers lying around, put them in the fridge.
    • Wash dirty dishes immediately.
    • Rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.
    • Set up rubbish bins with lids that close as tightly as possible.
    • Store food supplies in secure containers, e.g. B. made of glass.
    • Ventilate regularly.
    • Clean regularly with hot water under and behind furniture and appliances.
    • Seal cracks and holes in masonry and floors.
    • Do not take boxes from the supermarket into the apartment.
    • Dispose of this outer packaging immediately.
    • Unpack suitcases and other luggage in the bath or shower.
    • Then clean them thoroughly.
    • Do your laundry immediately after a trip.
    • Keep electronic devices clean and regularly remove crumbs from e.g. B. the toaster.

    frequently asked Questions

    Are cockroaches notifiable?

    In principle, due to the health hazard, there is an obligation to report to the health department as soon as a cockroach infestation has become obvious. This applies above all to the commercial sector and to community facilities - such as restaurants, cafés or public buildings - where statutory regulations make it mandatory to report to the authorities. In the private sector, it is up to the apartment or house owner to report the infestation. It is important for tenants to know that they can (and should do so!) report a cockroach infestation to the health department if the landlord does not take appropriate measures against the plague despite the tenant reporting this.

    Are cockroaches a bug?

    Cockroaches have six walking legs and very long antennae, which is why they look similar to beetles. In fact, however, it is an independent order of insects (Latin Blattodea), which does not have much in common with the order of beetles (Latin Coleoptera). Cockroaches have been around for a very long time as these animals are extremely adaptable. As early as 300 million years ago, there were cockroaches that looked almost exactly like the cockroaches of today.

    Can cockroaches fly?

    In fact, female cockroaches - or cockroaches - can fly. The males, on the other hand, are unable to fly due to their stunted wings.

    Are cockroaches attracted to light?

    Unlike, say, nocturnal moths, ground-dwelling cockroaches are not attracted to light, but instead flee. Therefore, with the lights on, you are unlikely to encounter a cockroach.

    Can cockroaches bite?

    Cockroaches (preferably sleeping humans) can actually bite if they can't find enough food - for example because the population has grown too large or there aren't enough leftovers to find. However, such behavior has become very rare and usually only occurs when the animals have multiplied too much over a long period of time.

    tips

    Cockroaches are not necessarily an indication of poor hygiene. Instead, you may have brought the uninvited guests with you from vacation or they may have immigrated to you from a nearby food processing plant. It is not without reason that the pests are also nicknamed "baker's cockroach".

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Animals in the garden