How to tell you have them
German cockroaches are about half an inch long, tan to light brown, with two dark stripes running lengthwise behind the head. They hide in warm, tight places close to food and water: the hinge side of cabinet doors, behind the refrigerator and dishwasher, under the sink and inside the microwave housing. Look for droppings that look like ground pepper, small brown egg cases and, in heavier infestations, a musty smell. Seeing them in daylight is a sign of a large population.
What they damage
They do not harm the structure, but they spread bacteria from drains and trash to food surfaces, and their allergens can trigger asthma. They also move into electronics: coffee makers, routers and microwaves are favorite hiding places.
What treatment looks like
German cockroaches did not come in from the yard, so spraying the outside of the house does nothing for them. Treatment is inside and targeted. We place gel bait in the cracks where they hide, add an insect growth regulator so the young cannot grow up and breed, vacuum heavy hiding spots and apply dust in the voids behind cabinets and appliances. We ask you to store food sealed, clean up grease and crumbs and fix drips under the sink, because roaches with other food eat less bait. Over-the-counter foggers and sprays scatter them into walls and neighboring rooms, so please stop using them once treatment starts.
How long it takes
Activity drops noticeably within one to two weeks. A full clean-out usually takes three or four visits, two weeks apart, and we keep coming back until the monitoring traps stay empty.
Florida notes
Most German cockroach infestations in Pinellas start with something carried in: grocery boxes, a used appliance, a bag from a storage unit, or a shared wall in a duplex or condo. Because clearing them takes repeat interior visits, the German cockroach program is part of the Complete plan.