One of the most common pests, cockroaches can easily enter homes and apartments and invade the entire property in a short time. Food crumbs lying on the floor, garbage, dirty dishes in the sink, and excess moisture are the key reasons roaches enter a house. Though cockroaches mostly operate during the nighttime, it is easy to spot them as compared to many other pests.
Once cockroaches have infested a home, they can cause health issues and damage to the property. They remain hidden during the daytime and move out during the nighttime from gaps and cracks. They come out in search of food. Once a few cockroaches have entered your property, they can lay eggs and multiply in number very fast. That is why it is extremely important to keep an eye out for these pests and pay attention to the signs of infestation. If you take action in time, you can prevent roaches from invading the entire property. While you get rid of the cockroaches, you should also take preventive actions to keep them out in the future.
If the roach infestation is small, you can deal with it on your own. However, you will need to hire the services of a pest control company to eliminate a large infestation professionally and effectively.
How Do I Know If I Have a Cockroach Infestation?
There are some common signs which you can use to identify the presence of roaches in your home or apartment. What is important is that you remain aware of these signs to spot infestation quickly.
Droppings:
The droppings of cockroaches have a similar look to that of black pepper. If you have these pests in your home, watch out for their droppings in the suspected areas. If you find cockroach droppings, do not ignore the sign. Take note that roaches have found shelter in your house. Also, do remember to clean up the droppings, as they can spread harmful bacteria.
Eggs:
The ootheca or the egg capsules of cockroaches remain packed with multiple eggs inside them. The presence of egg capsules is a clear sign that roaches have attacked your property. If the ootheca is left to hatch, you can expect to have a large infestation of cockroaches soon.
Smear Marks:
Cockroaches also leave smear marks as they operate from one area to another on the floors and walls. If you suspect there are roaches in a particular area of your home, look for dark, irregular smear marks. You will be able to easily identify these marks on horizontal surfaces.
Unpleasant Smell: The areas that are frequented by cockroaches or where they live also have a must smell. The smell is created by the droppings or the feces roaches leave behind where they operate. The odor will grow stronger, as the infestation of roaches turns into a larger one.
Live Roaches:
If your property has an infestation, you should expect to see roaches crawling here and there in search of food, particularly at night. Whether it is the kitchen, bathroom, basement, or laundry room, you can find cockroaches anywhere when you switch on the light at night. Cockroaches can not just crawl, but they can also climb up walls and ceilings.
Cockroach Nests:
If there is a nest located nearby, it will be hard for you to get rid of a minor cockroach infestation. Unless the nest is removed, roaches will continue to enter your home from time to time. If you spot droppings, eggs, and live cockroaches in your home, this means a nest is located somewhere close. Seek professional help and advice to deal with the situation.
If you see any or more of these signs in your home, you should know that cockroaches have attacked your home or apartment. And then, it is time to get into action and take the necessary steps for their removal.
Where to Look for Cockroach Infestation
You should also have some knowledge about where exactly you should look for a roach infestation in your home. Since there are various species of cockroaches, their habitat behavior also varies. However, there are some common locations where you are most likely to find cockroaches.