German roaches are becoming a huge problem in the Greater Houston Area. These roaches are not your standard, large creepy-crawlers we typically see in the Spring and Summer. These roaches are smaller and reproduce rapidly forming large colonies in no-time. The German cockroach is best identified by its small size, light golden color, and by two dark parallel lines running down the back of the body. They usually prefer a warm and humid environment with a nearby food source. These insects are little scavengers and will feed on a wide variety of foods. They are most active at night when they are searching for food, water, and mates. During the day they hide in cracks and crevices and other dark places. Their narrow, flat bodies enable them to move through small openings with ease. They may be seen during the daytime, if a heavy population is present or if they are in desperate need for food or water. People with an infestation of German roaches will generally begin finding them in the kitchen or bathroom. From here, they can spread to multiple areas of the house, in some cases, completely taking over. Due to the amount of chemicals used to treat these roaches in recent years, they've developed an immunity to most pesticides. A special combination of contact, residual and growth inhibitor chemicals applied by a licensed pest technician is the most effective way to treat these sneaky critters. There are several ways to prevent an infestation of German roaches: Maintaining a clean home by removing food debris (crumbs) and covering garbage cans and using sink covers to limit the amount of food sources. These roaches WILL find ways to get into your house. They can even hitch a ride into your home hiding inside of used appliances: stoves, fridges even microwaves. Before purchasing these items, confirm they did not come from a home that may have a German roach infestation.  If your dealing with German roaches, contact a licensed pest professional to help you. Only fumigation with professional grade products will be effective in eliminating these hard to kill insects.* Check out this great video shot by SunFlower Pest at a home they were treating for German roaches. YOU DO NOT WANT THIS TO BE YOU!! Tune in next week to see more tips and info about local area pests. Check out the YouTube video below of live footage of a German roach infestation in a kitchen.