How to get rid of German cockroaches

Key points

• German roaches are particularly invasive. They’re small, speedy and multiply quickly.

• Baiting congested areas is the most effective way to stop a German roach infestation.

• The fewer corners and cupboards German roaches have to hide in, the more effectively you can track and exterminate the infestation.

The German cockroach is a survivor, with ancestry predating the dinosaurs and the mobility to outpace the panicked stomps of your shoe. They distinguish themselves from more beefy American roaches through their tiny size — no larger than the width of your index finger — and quick reproduction cycle. This means they can hide easily and overrun a home or apartment in a matter of weeks.

People might assume that roaches are only found in dirty, unkempt places. “That isn’t necessarily true,” said Matt Smith, co-owner and licensed professional pest control technician at Green Pest Management in New Castle, Delaware. “Roaches can live pretty much anywhere,” he said. “One of the most important things you can do is attack the situation head-on and as soon as you see you have a problem.”

Since you’re reading this, you likely have a suspected or confirmed roach infestation in your home. But before you run out to buy a six-pack of Raid or call a pest control company, there are plenty of treatments you can try yourself, such as laying traps and gels and regularly cleaning. 

Despite their resilience, you still have the upper hand if you find yourself living among a German roach infestation. Through patience and scheduled baiting, you’ll be able to reclaim your home from the intrusive cockroach. Below, we outline the signs of an infestation, German cockroach specifics and tactics for fighting back against these unwanted pests.

Why do I have German cockroaches in my home?

German roaches are a nuisance to any homeowner or renter. They’re small, quick and multiply rapidly. But what causes them to infest a home in the first place? Here are a few possibilities:

• Food and water: German roaches will eat almost anything, but they’re especially fond of sweets, starches and fats. They’ll also drink from any water source, including pet bowls, drippy faucets and condensation on windows or pipes.
• Shelter: Since German cockroaches are nocturnal, they tend to hide in cracks and crevices during the day. Roaches are attracted to warm, humid places, such as kitchens, bathrooms or, in cases of severe infestation, electronics or power surge protectors.
• Entry points: German cockroaches can enter your home through various entry points, including cracks in doors and windows, gaps around pipes, and vents and drains.

Once a few German roaches have entered a home, their numbers can quickly climb to infestation levels. Egg casings, called oothecae, can contain up to 50 eggs at a time and hatch in just a couple of weeks.

Regardless, it’s important to get rid of German cockroaches as soon as possible. “These roaches can present serious infestation problems due to their ability to reproduce rapidly as well as the variety of pathogens and allergens they can spread in your home,” said Allan Bossel, an operations expert at BBE Bed Bug Exterminator in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Signs of a German cockroach infestation

If you see even one German cockroach, there are likely more hiding nearby. Other signs of an infestation include the following:

• Droppings: Cockroach droppings present as small, black specks, similar in appearance to ground black pepper. They can be found on countertops, in drawers, or near food and water sources.
• Egg casings: German cockroach egg casings (oothecae) are small and oval-shaped, resembling a grain of brown rice. If you find an egg casing, crush it and dispose of it outdoors to prevent hatching and limit the infestation.  
• Shed skin: German cockroaches molt their exoskeleton several times as they age and grow. Sheddings are usually translucent with a yellowish tint.
• An unpleasant odor: German cockroaches can produce a musty, oily odor. But unless you’re an exterminator or already familiar with this distinct smell, it’s unlikely to be as telltale as the other signs when identifying an infestation.

How do I get rid of German cockroaches?

Dealing with a German cockroach infestation can be daunting, but with the right approach, you can successfully rid your home of these persistent pests. From smart cleaning to professional pest control, several strategies are available to you in your quest to eradicate a German roach infestation.

Sanitation and cleaning

One of the most important steps in eliminating German cockroaches is to starve them of food, water and shelter. By maintaining a clean, clutter-free environment, you can more effectively track the infestation and determine whether any countermeasures are successful. 

Avoid leaving food or dirty dishes out and use resealable containers to secure leftovers. Also, clean up any clutter and mess — such as piles of clothes and shoes, bunches of plastic bags or overflowing trash and recycling bins. Removing potential food sources and hiding spots can make your home less hospitable to roaches and keep them at bay.

Baiting stations

Bait stations can help reduce the population of German cockroaches. Their compact, square design offers a discreet alternative to unsightly gels and powders. These products use attractants to lure roaches in and poison them. Place bait stations where you frequently see roaches, such as in kitchen cabinets, under sinks and behind appliances. 

Insecticide gels and dusts

Insecticide sprays, gels and dusts are among the most useful ways to combat a German cockroach infestation. Advion gel, in particular, is used by many exterminators in drawers, around outlets and anywhere else where cockroaches are seen scavenging. 

Advion gel is so effective because it becomes poisonous only upon ingestion by the insect, and the slower metabolizing process gives the roach time to take the food back to its shelter and infect other roaches that might be hiding out of sight.

Meanwhile, dusts such as boric acid and diatomaceous earth work by slowing and killing roaches who come into contact with the insecticide. These products can be used in tandem with baits or improved using DIY strategies, such as mixing boric acid with sugar, to maximize efficacy.

Compared to boric acid, diatomaceous earth and Advion gel are considerably more pet-friendly. You can use them alongside other methods; for example, baiting with gels and using the powder in crevices and areas that are harder to reach (such as behind the fridge).

Professional pest control

If, despite your best efforts, the German cockroach infestation persists, it may be time to call in the professionals. Pest control specialists can conduct a thorough inspection to identify the extent of the infestation and develop a customized treatment plan to address the problem. They can also bait the house as a preventive measure if a roach infestation is thriving in a neighboring apartment.

“Pest control professionals have the knowledge and products available to take care of the problem in the most timely and efficient manner,” Smith said. “When we treat for German cockroaches, we use something called an insect growth regulator to make them sterile and unable to grow properly.”

How do German cockroaches compare to other roach types?

German cockroaches are less imposing than their American counterparts but considerably more invasive. To the untrained eye, it can be difficult to discern German cockroaches from other bugs, such as bed bugs or carpet beetles, especially since their appearance changes quite dramatically as they grow from a nymph into adulthood. 

Here are the telltale signs that you’re dealing with German roaches.

German cockroach appearance

“German cockroaches are 1/2 to 5/8 inches and tan in coloration, with two dark stripes running down the length of the pronotum. They have wings but cannot fly,” said Molly Keck, a board-certified entomologist at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. By comparison, their American counterparts can be 1 inch or larger but are less invasive. 

Roaches have six legs and can be very tiny early in their life cycle, allowing them to easily get into crevices or open food sources. As they grow into adulthood, they darken in hue and become easier to track. 

Since German roaches cannot survive in cold temperatures, Keck explained, they’re more likely to make your home their nesting ground in winter. Where you see one, there are probably many more in hiding.

German cockroach health risks

German cockroaches present many health risks, beyond the anxiety you might feel looking for them in your periphery. Cockroaches are vectors for pathogens and can cause allergies in many humans. 

If your seasonal allergies seem to run year-round, you should seek allergy testing from a primary care physician to rule out cockroach allergies. Even if you aren’t allergic, their sheddings and droppings can cause voice raspiness and food-borne illnesses and exacerbate asthma and other conditions.

How do you prevent German cockroaches from returning?

Take preventive steps to stop roaches from returning while you address the infestation. This includes regularly switching out baiting stations, vacuuming to pick up droppings or egg casings, and not leaving food or water out. 

Keeping your house clean and any potential food and water sources away makes your living space less hospitable to cockroaches and other pests.

What’s next?

Roaches are built to survive. Even if your house is clean and your food is secure, roaches can find a way to persist. After you’ve begun fighting the cockroach infestation, track the number of roaches you see during the day and night. 

If you can go a month without a roach sighting, you might be able to breathe more easily, literally and figuratively. If the cockroach sightings are not improving or worsening, it’s best to call a professional.

Keep bait stations and gels handy and keep on top of cleaning to stay one step ahead of German roaches. For returning infestations despite your best efforts, contact pest control for more aggressive measures.