Signs of a Cockroach Infestation & What to Do
Many people worry about the disgusting possibility of cockroaches living in their homes. The truly frightening thing is that sometimes, roaches can multiply to huge numbers in your home before the problem even becomes apparent. Cockroaches thrive in darkness and tend to scurry for cover if they sense you coming, but there are ways to know you have a roach problem even if you can't see them. Signs of a cockroach infestation in your Raleigh home will be explained below.
6 Signs of a Cockroach Infestation
Roach Droppings - When cockroaches are living in your home, you may begin to find small, black droppings that look like ground pepper in areas where they're active. Larger species, like American cockroaches, produce cylindrical droppings, while smaller species such as German roaches leave tiny specks. Look for cockroach droppings in areas like under the sink, beneath cupboards, and behind kitchen appliances.
Oothecae - Female cockroaches lay their eggs in capsules known as oothecae, often hiding these egg sacs in secluded places. While you're unlikely to stumble upon oothecae while going about your usual daily routines, you might unearth them when moving furniture to vacuum or cleaning under the sink. Seeing oothecae is a warning sign that you have a large cockroach infestation in your Raleigh home and should take immediate action.
Musty Smell - Cockroaches produce a musty, oily odor that becomes more noticeable as the infestation grows. This foul smell is created by a revolting cocktail of the roach pheromones, droppings, and decaying dead bodies. You may notice that the smell is particularly strong in areas where roaches often hide, like cupboards, storage areas, and beneath furniture.
Shed Skins - When cockroach nymphs are growing, they will shed their exoskeleton multiple times through a process known as molting. A single cockroach might molt more than a dozen times before reaching adulthood. Because of this, if you have multiple roaches living in your home, you're sure to spot some shed skins sooner or later. Seeing multiple shed skins in one area is a warning sign of a large infestation.
Smear Marks - Smear marks are brown streaks that cockroaches leave behind as they move across surfaces, especially in areas where they have access to moisture, like around sinks, toilets, and showers. During particularly humid weather in Raleigh, smear marks are often more widespread and easier to see.
Packaging Damage - Cockroaches are always trying to get into stored food and will chew through various types of food packaging, including paper, cardboard, and plastic. You might notice small holes, bite marks or torn packaging left behind by ravenous roaches. Also, you may see droppings or smear marks on or near food packaging. It's essential to throw out any food that has been contaminated by cockroaches to avoid contracting foodborne illnesses like salmonella and E. coli.
What You Should Do If You Have a Roach Problem
Once you see the signs of a cockroach infestation, it's important to act quickly to solve the problem before it grows. Left unchecked, roaches can quickly multiply and spread throughout your home in Raleigh. Start by purchasing cockroach control products at your local hardware store. You should be able to buy a roach killing spray so that you can instantly exterminate roaches if you catch them scurrying out in the open. For more thorough roach removal, you should also buy some bait traps that will lure in and snuff out hidden cockroaches.
If you've been unable to make a dent in your roach problems, then your best option is to get help from a professional cockroach exterminator to remove your infestation. Licensed and insured pest control technicians will use superior methods to get rid of all roaches in your home and make it more difficult for other roaches to find a way in. Contact Sustainable Pest Systems today if you're in need of professional cockroach control services in the greater Raleigh area!