Cockroaches: How to Spot an Infestation

When you hear the word cockroach, chances are it sends shivers down your spine. In addition to being creepy and repulsive, cockroaches can carry and spread potentially life-threatening diseases to your family, including salmonella, leprosy, dysentery, and gastroenteritis.

Despite your best efforts to keep these pests out of your home, you might still suffer from a cockroach infestation. Here are a few signs cockroaches have invaded your home, and what you can do to get rid of them and prevent them from getting into your house in the future.

Warning Signs of a Cockroach Infestation

No matter if you live in a rural or urban area, it is still important to learn about the signs of a cockroach infestation. Here are a few of the most common:

• Droppings. One of the clearest signs of a cockroach infestation in their feces. It will look like very small pieces of clumped black dust.
• Odor. A few cockroaches will not create a noticeable smell. However, if you have a serious infestation, the cockroaches collectively will smell musty or stale.
• Egg casings. A cockroach will lay dozens of eggs inside a casing. This casing, or ootheca, will shed, once the eggs hatch. The casing will be hollow, small and brown in color.
• Brown marks. If you notice long, light brown markings on your trim, it is a clear sign of a roach infestation. Cockroaches leave behind these discolorations when they scurry along your walls.

Finally, the clearest indication of a roach infestation is the presence of the insects, themselves. Cockroaches are active at night, so keep a watchful eye on the floor in your kitchen, bathroom or the warmer areas of your home.

If you find cockroaches scurrying around your home in the daytime, it could mean there is a severe infestation. Cockroaches will emerge during the day if their nest is large, and they are forced to find food while the sun is out.

Getting Rid of Cockroaches

If you’ve noticed any of the above-mentioned signs of a cockroach infestation, it is critical to act quickly. There are several cockroach baits and traps available at your local hardware or home improvement store. However, before you set out the traps, wander through your home at night to determine where the cockroaches are congregating.
Typically, cockroaches will be congregating in your kitchen or bathroom because these rooms are warm. Look in and under any nooks and crannies, such as behind your refrigerator or under your sink. Set the traps in the areas where you notice the most cockroaches.

If you’re continuing to notice cockroaches during the daytime, or if setting traps won’t control the cockroach population, your best option is to contact a professional. A professional exterminator will have the products and know-how necessary to get rid of the cockroaches throughout your home.

Preventing a Future Cockroach Infestation

Now that your trusty exterminator has gotten rid of the cockroaches, it’s time to prevent them from reentering your home. Begin by keeping your home clean. This includes covering any food, cleaning up spills and avoiding leaving food or water sitting out. A clean home is less attractive to hungry cockroaches.

Check for any damage or holes around your doors and windows and repair them immediately. Finally, make sure to check any bags, boxes or anything you carry inside your home for the presence of cockroaches. You might accidentally bring a cockroach inside your home on the bottom of a box sitting in your garage, for example.

Cockroaches are vile pests that can carry potentially life-threatening illnesses. If you suspect there is a cockroach infestation in your home, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Eliminator Pest Management Co.