Cockroaches are filthy little critters that live in and eat sewage, garbage, decay, and many other unsanitary things. When cockroaches enter your home, they can spread bacteria, contaminate food, and even cause allergies and asthma. All these factors mean that roach control should be taken seriously. The earlier you catch an infestation, the quicker and easier it will be to get rid of it. For early detection, it is helpful to know the signs associated with a roach infestation. Here are the four most common signs:
Roach Droppings
Cockroach poop can be found anywhere cockroaches have been. Small species of roaches, like German cockroaches and brown-banded cockroaches, leave very small droppings that may resemble ground black pepper or coffee grounds. The excrement may also appear as small dark stains or smears on walls or floors. Larger roaches, like American roaches or oriental roaches, produce cylindrical droppings that are approximately 2 mm long. These droppings look very similar to mouse droppings, but they have blunt ends and small ridges from tip to tip.
Household Pest Droppings (Clockwise from the top) Norway rat, American cockroach, and mouse droppings by NY State IPM program at Cornell University [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/) via Flickr
Unusual Smell
As a cockroach infestation grows, you may start to notice a foul smell. According to a pest professional at Green Country Pest Control in Pearland, many people describe this smell as musty or oily. The smell comes from an aggregation pheromone that can be found within the feces of the cockroach. This smell attracts other roaches so they can stick together, and it can be very unpleasant to live with.
Shed Skins
Cockroaches go through several different molts in order to reach adulthood. They will shed their outer skins so that they can grow. The outer shell will split down the back, and the cockroach will crawl out and leave the old skin behind. Finding these shed skins of roaches is another sign of a possible infestation.
Live Roaches
The last and most obvious sign of an infestation is seeing live roaches. Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures that spend the day hiding in dark cracks and crevices and typically only venture out at night. If you start seeing roaches during the day, you may have a very large infestation on your hands. Roaches that are active during the day may indicate that the population is so large that food is at a premium and there is competition for resources.
Cockroach Control
If you start noticing these signs of a cockroach infestation, call the helpful professionals at Six Brothers Pest Control. Our friendly staff and expert technicians will work with you on a customized plan to get rid of the roaches. The treatment plan may involve sanitation efforts, exclusion techniques, and various chemical methods. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can feel confident knowing that Six Brothers Pest Control will take care of your home and family. For pest control in Kansas City, Salt Lake City, Dallas, and more, contact Six Brothers today.
