If you’ve seen German cockroaches running across your kitchen floor or hiding behind your cupboards, you’re not alone. These little bugs love to make themselves at home, where there is lots of food and water. But don’t worry—you can get rid of them if you know what to do and stick with it. Let’s go over how to kick these unwelcome guests out of your home for good.

Why German Cockroaches Are Hard to Get Rid Of

To fight German cockroaches, it’s helpful to understand them a little better. These cockroaches are small, about half an inch long, and are light brown with two dark stripes down their backs. They reproduce quickly—one egg case can have dozens of baby roaches, which means a small problem can turn into a big infestation if you don’t act fast.

German cockroaches like places that are warm, damp, and have lots of food. This is why they often end up in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. They hide during the day and come out at night to look for food, making them hard to spot until there are a lot of them.

Keep Your House Clean to Get Rid of Cockroach Food Sources

German cockroaches are very good at finding food, and the easiest way to keep them away is to make food hard to find. Here are some tips to make your home less appealing to cockroaches:

Store Food Properly: Put all food in sealed containers. Open bags of chips, cookies, or pet food can attract roaches.
Clean Up Crumbs and Spills: Cockroaches can survive on tiny crumbs. Vacuum often and wipe down surfaces after meals.
Take Out Trash Often: Don’t let trash, especially food waste, build up. Cockroaches love garbage and will use it as a reliable food source.
Fix Leaky Faucets and Pipes: Cockroaches need water to survive. Fix any leaky taps or pipes so they can’t get easy access to water.

Seal Entry Points to Keep Cockroaches Out

German cockroaches are tiny and can fit into very small cracks. To stop them from coming into your home or moving between rooms, try these tips:

Seal Cracks and Crevices: Use caulk to fill gaps around baseboards, walls, cupboards, and pipes. This makes it harder for roaches to move around and find hiding places.
Install Door Sweeps: Add door sweeps to the bottoms of doors, especially those leading outside or to basements. This helps keep cockroaches from coming in.

Use Baits and Traps To Get Rid of Cockroaches

Baits and traps work really well to get rid of German cockroaches. Here are some options you can use:

Cockroach Bait Stations: These have poison mixed with food that attracts cockroaches. The roaches eat the bait and carry it back to their nest, which can kill others. Place these bait stations in areas where you see cockroach activity, like under sinks or behind appliances.
Gel Baits: Gel baits can be placed in cracks and crevices where cockroaches hide. When they eat the gel, they die, and it also spreads the poison to other roaches.
Sticky Traps: Sticky traps can help you figure out how bad the infestation is. Put them along walls or near appliances to catch cockroaches and see where the heaviest activity is.

Natural Remedies To Get Rid of German Cockroaches

If you want to avoid chemicals, there are natural ways to help reduce cockroach numbers:

Boric Acid: Boric acid is a popular and effective option. When roaches walk through it, the powder sticks to their bodies and eventually kills them. Sprinkle boric acid in a light layer along baseboards or under appliances.
Diatomaceous Earth: This powder, made from fossilized algae, dries out and kills cockroaches. Put it in dry places where you think roaches are hiding.
Essential Oils: Some people say that essential oils like peppermint or tea tree oil can help keep cockroaches away. While these oils may not get rid of all of them, they can help keep them out of certain areas.

When To Call a Pest Control Professional

Sometimes, even if you try everything, the infestation might be too big to handle on your own. Professional pest control experts have the tools and chemicals needed to get rid of German cockroaches quickly. Call a professional if:

DIY methods aren’t working.
The infestation seems to be getting worse instead of better.
You see cockroaches during the day, which usually means there are a lot of them.

How To Prevent German Cockroaches From Coming Back

Once you’ve gotten rid of German cockroaches, it’s important to keep up your efforts so they don’t come back.

Clean Regularly: Keep up with cleaning, especially in the kitchen and bathroom.
Inspect Groceries and Packages: Cockroaches can come into your home in grocery bags or cardboard boxes. Check these items before bringing them inside.
Watch for Activity: Keep using sticky traps in key areas to check for any cockroach activity.

Getting Rid of German Cockroaches Takes Time, But You Can Do It

Getting rid of German cockroaches can be frustrating, but with a combination of good cleaning, sealing, baiting, and calling for professional help when needed, you can get your home back. The key is to be consistent—a one-time effort usually isn’t enough because cockroaches are experts at hiding and surviving. Stick with it, and you can make your home cockroach-free.

FAQs About Getting Rid of German Cockroaches

1. How long does it take to get rid of German cockroaches?

Getting rid of German cockroaches can take a few weeks to several months, depending on how bad the infestation is and what methods you use. Consistent cleaning, baiting, and sealing are important for success.

2. Are German cockroaches harmful to humans?

Yes, German cockroaches can be harmful. They can spread bacteria like E. coli and salmonella, and they can also trigger asthma and allergies, particularly in children. They can contaminate food and surfaces, leading to illness.

3. Can I get rid of German cockroaches without professional help?

Yes, you can get rid of German cockroaches without professional help by using bait stations, gel baits, and natural remedies like boric acid. However, if the infestation is severe or isn’t getting better, you may need professional pest control.