Why Do German Cockroaches Come Back?

German cockroaches are out and about this Spring. Unfortunately, they are notoriously difficult to get rid of, which can mean follow-up treatments, especially in the kitchen or other food storage spaces. However, do you know why German cockroaches are so difficult to eradicate? It has to do with a few factors, including abundant food sources, habitat, and life cycle.

German Cockroaches have an Appetite for more than just Food!

When you think of cockroaches, you probably think of them as a kitchen pest. After all, most cockroaches eat crumbs from countertops, floors, or even on dirty dishes. However, German cockroaches are not picky about what they eat. They will also eat soap, book bindings, and even toothpaste! They eat so many different things that it is virtually impossible to eliminate their food sources completely. Sure, practising good hygiene habits in your kitchens and bathrooms can help reduce available food for them, but the chances are that they will still be able to find food in your home.

Next, we need to think about their habitat. Where do you see German cockroaches living in your home? That was a trick question. You do not see where they live. Like other types of cockroaches, German cockroaches live in dark, closed, and usually damp spaces. You are not going to stumble across a nest of them living somewhere in your home, which means they can be hard to eradicate. So even if you think you have killed all of the German cockroaches in your home, you may have some lurking.

Finally, we need to look at the German cockroach life cycle. A female cockroach lays about 30 to 40 eggs in an egg case. An egg case hatches in 1 to 2 days after being laid. The eggs go to adulthood in an average of 100 days with an adult lifespan of another 100 to 200 days. Each female can produce 4 to 6 of these egg cases. The result is that you can go from a couple of cockroaches to thousands of cockroaches in a very short period of time.

Our Home Protection plans offer year-round protection, providing you with two essential things. First, they include a scheduled inspection and service. These services prevent German cockroaches and other pests from reappearing by detecting and treating them before an infestation can occur. Secondly, being on this plan means that if you notice pests anytime throughout the year, our technicians will revisit your property to provide immediate relief in order to safeguard your home.