What is one of a homeowner's worst nightmares? Roaches. One would think that since humans are more than 100 times their size, most still go running for the hills at the sight of a roach. One of the nastiest cockroaches is the German cockroach. They are usually about ?inch or longer, and they can usually be identified by the two dark lines that run along the body.

Tip 1: Inspect all used appliances before bringing them home

Unlike other cockroaches, German cockroaches are not suited for outdoor life. They only survive indoors. This means they are usually introduces to homes when owners bring used or previously stored items into the house. The older a used item is, the more likely it is to have German cockroaches in it. Anytime you bring something used into the house, wash and inspect it while outside.

If possible, remove all the detachable parts and clean it. It is imperative that you do this before bringing the item into the house. That way, if there are roaches there, they will be left outside, not in your house.

Tip 2: Sanitize everything

Pests love food. Get rid of their food and you will (eventually) get rid of them. The most obvious place to start is the kitchen. Using your favorite sanitizer of choice (bleach or more eco-friendly options) thoroughly sanitize your kitchen, paying special attention to corners, crevices, and the inside of appliances. This is not your typical daily cleaning. Take a whole day to really clean every possible surface. Clean inside the cabinets, behind the fridge, under the sink, etc. It will take some definite elbow grease, but it is worth it.

Tip 3: Eliminate water sources

German cockroaches like water, so do everything you can to get rid of it. Leaky faucets and pipes can be big magnets for roaches. Fix them as soon as possible. Things like wet countertops, wet sinks, wet bathtubs and showers, and wet toothbrushes can also attract them. Every night, make an effort to dry all surfaces, and put stoppers in all drains. If you have pets, sit their water dishes outside or empty them out. Put wet wash towels in the washing machine or sit them outside to dry. It will probably be a hassle taking all these steps in the beginning, but you will get used to it sooner than you think.

Tip 4: Use bug sprays sparingly

Your first thought may be to run to the store and buy as much bug spray as you can carry, but this may not be the best idea. As advertised, bug spray will kill the roaches it lands on, but it probably will not have much of an effect on those it does not. This is because bug spray has a very strong smell that bugs do not like. Therefore, once it is sprayed, they will simply avoid that area. As a result, they may spread to previously unaffected areas of the home.

There are many people who have used all these tips and still had German cockroaches. They can be that stubborn. If you do not want to risk that happening, call a reputable pest control company and allow them to handle the problem for you.