It’s happened to all of us. You walk downstairs for your morning cup of coffee, turn the lights on, and you see it. A cockroach skittering across the floor.
Where did it come from? Are there more? Do you have a cockroach problem? One bug can cause a thousand questions to race through your mind.
Seeing these unsavory pests in your home probably isn’t on the list of things you want to happen in a day. And to make matters worse, they aren’t just repulsive to look at, a cockroach infestation can also cause serious damage to your home.
Don’t panic yet. Listed below are the telltale signs of a cockroach infestation to help you determine the severity of your cockroach problem. We’ve also included a few helpful tips to rid your home of cockroaches, so you can see less of them on your kitchen floor.
1. Cockroach Droppings
Cockroaches eat a wide variety of foods. They feed almost constantly and defecate just as often, meaning they produce a lot of droppings.
That said, cockroach droppings are quite small (less than 1mm wide), making them difficult to spot. The droppings are easy to mistake for pepper or coffee grounds, so you’ll need to look closely.
The more droppings there are, the more cockroaches you’re dealing with. So if there’s clear evidence of roach droppings, you likely have a large infestation.
2. Unusual Musky Odor
All cockroaches leave behind an unpleasant smell, but you won’t be able to detect it if there are only one or two. If you’re dealing with an infestation, however, the smell will be more intense.
Cockroaches’ pheromones are the primary cause of their signature musty or mildew-like smell, but decomposing roaches can add to the stench.
3. Egg Casings
Cockroach egg casings are long, hollow, and light brown in color. They hold between 20 and 50 eggs, which means that if you find one in your home, you almost certainly have an infestation.
The most common locations of casings include damp areas such as near leaky pipes or around the base of your refrigerator. They can also be found in cabinets holding food.
4. You Spot a Roach During the Day
Because cockroaches are nocturnal insects and excellent at concealing themselves, you won’t see one during the day unless you have a problem.
It’s one thing to spot one when you turn a light on in a previously darkened room. But a roach out in the open typically means overcrowding is taking place in the nest. If this happens, you have a large infestation.
5. Your Neighbors Have a Roach Infestation
Unfortunately, if your next-door neighbors are dealing with a roach infestation, it’s only a matter of time before they move to your house.
Now, just because your neighbors have cockroaches doesn’t mean that you have them, it only increases your chances. It’s best to take preventative action as soon as you find out about your neighbors’ home to protect your own.
How to Get Rid of a Cockroach Problem
If you’ve seen any of these signs in or around your home, it’s best to stop the problem before it becomes any more severe. A small infestation is much easier to get under control than a large one.
Here are a few simple tips for ridding your home of its cockroach problem.
1. Keep Your Home Clean
Clutter is not only terrible for your mental and physical health, it’s also the perfect hiding place for cockroaches and other pests. Because of this, one of the best things you can do to rid your home of a roach infestation is to keep it clean.
Pay special attention to the kitchen, as food debris, crumbs, and garbage are some of their favorite snacks. Clean up spills as soon as they happen and keep food and garbage in airtight containers.
2. Seal Your Home
One of the best ways to prevent a cockroach infestation is to ensure that they can’t get into your home in the first place. Inspect your home on a regular basis for cracks and holes in the foundation, torn screens, and other open areas.
When you notice any damage to these areas, make repairs at once. It’s a good idea to check your pipes for leaks and your yard for standing water as well. To take it a step further, you can also treat window casings and door frames with pest repellent.
3. Use Traps and Pesticides
There are a variety of traps and pesticides available at any hardware or general-purpose store. Spraying your home with these pesticides can help to keep roaches out, while traps can take care of any lurking in the shadows.
There are also more sophisticated tools, such as an ultrasonic pest repeller, which are slightly more expensive than traditional traps and pesticides but can be more effective.
Depending on the level of infestation in your home, it might be best to call in a professional before things get out of hand. An exterminator will be able to do a thorough inspection of your home, evaluate the infestation, and provide potential solutions.
Free Your Home of Cockroaches Today
Though cockroaches are experts at hiding from plain sight, if you have a cockroach problem, you’ll notice the unmistakable signs. Although a cockroach infestation is certainly a cause for concern, take a deep breath.
For most people with cockroaches in their home, a regular deep clean and pest control treatment is enough to do the trick. You might still see a bug every now and then, but it won’t be anything a shoe can’t handle.
Interested in learning more about keeping your home in top shape? Take a look at our blog!