Jun 26, 2020, 13:39 PM by Clark Pest Control Lodi Office

Clark, your neighborly pest control, lawn care, and termite control expert, has been sharing a list of the five most frequently encountered pests you may see crawling or scampering in or around your home. Our list was generated from pest trend data from across the state, and has been analyzed by Darren Van Steenwyk, Clark Pest Control’s chief pest expert and Director of Learning and Technical Services.

Who (or what) pests made the list? Here is our top five:

1. Roof rats
2. House mice
3. Argentine ants
4. Cellar spiders
5. German cockroaches

We’ve already shared information on two types of rodents (roof rats and house mice), an insect that virtually every Californian has likely encountered (the Argentine ant), and a ubiquitous arachnid (the cellar spider, popularly called “daddy longlegs”). This week, we meet the final entry into our top five, the German cockroach.

What makes the German cockroach one of the most frequently encountered pests in California? Where might you see one in your house? What you can do to reduce your risk? Clark would like to share the following info on this pest:

• The adult German cockroach ranges in length from 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch. Its body is light brown to tan in color.
• German cockroaches prefer warm and humid places, like kitchens and bathrooms.
• Infestations occur in areas where people eat, drink, watch TV, and even sleep, making any food and/or water source a prime area of harborage.
• German cockroaches are not only a nuisance, but they have been known to carry disease-causing germs, along with germs and allergens known to trigger asthma.
• Particles from the cast-off molts, or exuviae, of German cockroaches can become airborne, and have been known to trigger allergies in some people.
• Sanitation is the cornerstone to effective, long-lasting control of German cockroaches.

Why are German cockroaches so common? These pests feed on a wide variety of food sources, and have an uncanny ability to hide and remain undetected until the population gets large enough to turn into a major problem.

Where might you most often encounter or notice German cockroaches? Usually in the kitchen and surrounding area.

Is there anything you can do to reduce the risk of German cockroach infestation? It’s important to clean up, as much as possible, any food debris or residue from the kitchen. This includes unwashed dishes, spilled and caked-on food around cooking areas and surfaces, and food-storage containers that have been left open when they’re not being accessed.

If you’re having problems with German cockroaches around your home, call California’s trusted, friendly pest control expert, Clark, at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or send an email to clarkcares@clarkpest.com

Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home.