Have you recently caught a glimpse of an uninvited guest scurrying across your kitchen floor or along the wall? If so, there is a chance that you could have an unwelcome pest in your home – the cockroach. Cockroaches are one of the most adaptable pests on earth and can easily make their way into our homes. While seeing one roach does not necessarily mean infestation, it’s important to be aware of other signs that might indicate these unwanted critters have moved into your abode.
This blog post will discuss certain indicators to look out for if you think you may have a cockroach infestation.
1. Droppings
Droppings from cockroaches are one of the most common signs of an infestation. Since these pests often forage for food during the night and hide in dark spaces during the day, you may not be able to spot them until it’s already too late. However, their droppings can become noticeable over time due to their hard, cylindrical shape.
These droppings may look like coffee grounds or pepper flakes and can be found anywhere from countertops to cupboards to drawers.
If you begin to notice small, dark specks that have been scattered around your kitchen or bathroom, it might be a good idea to call in a professional pest control expert as soon as possible. Taking measures to prevent or treat a cockroach infestation is essential in order to protect your health – since they may carry bacteria and disease.
2. Smear Marks
Another telltale sign of a cockroach infestation is evidence of smear marks.
These are dark brown stains (often mistaken for dirt) that are left along walls or baseboards, or even drawers and cupboard crevices, and are caused when roaches traverse across them in search of food. If you see these markings, especially in areas where there are food sources, such as the kitchen, then it can be an obvious red flag for cockroaches.
If you notice unexplained smear marks in your home, call a professional. Your local exterminator will be able to inspect the smears and determine whether or not you’re dealing with a cockroach infestation.
3. Unusual Foul Odor
Having a foul odor lingering in your home is an unpleasant experience. In some cases, this can be an indication of unwelcome guests like cockroaches.
Cockroaches create, release, and spread pheromones, which are chemical signals between cockroach populations meant to attract new ones to the same environment. These pheromones have an unpleasant smell that humans can detect when the infestation has grown to a certain size, typically described as a musty, moldy scent. This odor can range from mild to intense, depending on the severity of the infestation.
If your nose has led you to suspect a lurking problem, you should contact a professional exterminator for an evaluation. Taking quick action is important since a cockroach infestation can cause potential health risks due to pests carrying bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens that can contaminate food and surfaces.
4. Eggs
Cockroach eggs can be an indicator of a serious pest problem in the house, so it is important to recognize them when spotted.
A cockroach egg, formally known as ootheca, looks like what appears to be a capsule or bean that is dark brown in color. The egg’s exterior will have ridges running along the edges and measure about one-quarter of an inch long. Depending on the cockroach species, an individual ootheca can contain up to 40 or 50 eggs.
To find them, use a flashlight to closely inspect areas that are often damp and dark such as kitchen sink cabinets and baseboards. Cockroaches often lay their eggs in dark and damp areas close to food sources but away from human traffic.
Due to the quick reproduction of cockroaches, if you spot egg casings that resemble the description above, contact your local pest control service provider.
5. Sheddings/Actual Cockroach Sitings
Cockroaches will frequently shed their outer layer (exoskeleton) several times as they grow (nymph-adult), leaving behind empty skin casings that resemble their body shape. If you notice these sheddings on the floor or countertops, it could be a sign of an infestation and should be investigated further.
Seeing a cockroach or two might seem like just an annoyance, but if you’re noticing them often, it can signify something more serious—a cockroach infestation. Roaches breed quickly, and the presence of several indicates there are likely many more that you don’t see. It is important to identify the source of an infestation as soon as possible in order to prevent further spreading and health risks.
If you’ve noticed either of these signs, contact a pest professional immediately.
Your Local Pest Professionals
Anteater Exterminating Inc. has been protecting homes and businesses since 1995! With a wide range of services, customers can rest assured that they will get top-notch pest control. Cockroach infestations can be particularly troublesome but don’t worry, Anteater Exterminating can take care of the issue. Before any treatment takes place, an inspection is conducted to determine the extent of the problem. This allows them to develop a specific plan to rid your property of intrusive pests, ensuring that you are getting the level of service you deserve!
Our wide range of residential and commercial pest control services includes:
- Cockroach Pest Control Services
- Rodent Control Services
- Bed Bug Treatments (Check out our blog post on bed bugs!)
- Termite Control (Check out our blog for signs of a termite infestation)
- And Much More.
Whether you’re in need of cockroach control Phoenix services, or whatever the situation may be, you can rest easy knowing that our expert technicians will handle everything with precision and professionalism. Call us today to schedule an inspection!