There are a lot of creatures that give people a warm, happy feeling: furry little kittens, cuddly puppies, colorful butterflies, shiny tan cockroaches... What? Tan cockroaches don't give you a warm fuzzy feeling? Why is that? Is it because you know that cockroaches are spreaders of diseases and illness? Is it because you are aware of how quickly roaches can multiply once they have established themselves within your walls? Or is it just that you don't like being startled out of your wits when you switch on the kitchen light at midnight looking for a little snack only to see a mass of cockroaches already having a snack on the cake crumbs that were left on the counter? Whatever the case may be, roaches are NOT generally considered creatures that make people warm or happy.

Here are some things you can do to avoid being infested with German cockroaches?

Repair any water leaks in sinks, appliances, tubs, toilets, etc. And install fans or dehumidifiers in moist or humid areas. All roaches need water to live, including German cockroaches.
Clean your home thoroughly, especially areas where there are food particles present. Don't forget to vacuum under beds, couch cushions, and other places where crumbs might be hiding.
Place dirty dishes in a sink full of soapy water, instead of leaving them on the counter.
Store all food inside the fridge or freezer, or place food items inside tightly sealed containers. Roaches can get inside plastic or cardboard containers, and German roaches are especially good at it because they can be extremely small.
Only put pet food down at mealtimes. If your pet leaves food in his or her dish, wrap it up and give it to them later.
Do a careful inspection of the outside of your home. Look for gaps, cracks or holes and seal them. It doesn't take much of an opening for a German cockroach to squeeze through, especially if they are nymphs.
Inspect all of your screens and door sweeps to make sure they are in good working condition.
Trim back any trees, bushes or shrubs. Cockroaches and other pests use these as bridges.
Dry up any standing water that is near your home. Moisture draws pests in close.
Remove any food sources from your yard. Make sure there is no pet food, left over cookout food, fruit from trees, or other organic materials that will draw roaches in. Also, make sure to clean your grill after each use.
If you have bird feeders, keep them well away from your exterior walls.
Keep all garbage inside tightly sealed trash cans.
While the above tips may help you keep German cockroaches at bay, if you are already seeing them, or seeing signs of them, be aware that they can be extremely difficult to get rid of without professional help. If you see one, especially if you see it in the daytime, you can be assured that there are many more living inside your walls, possibly hundreds, or even thousands.

If cockroaches do not give you a warm, happy feeling, reach out to Hoffer Pest Solutions today. We'll get rid of any existing roaches, and make sure no new roaches get into your home. It's what we do.