Five signs of a cockroach infestation
Worry you’re sharing your home with unwelcome visitors? Here are five signs you have a cockroach infestation.
The thought of sharing your home with cockroaches is enough to send shivers down most people’s spine – and for good reason.
Spotting one (or multiple) in your living space is cause for concern, as these insects can carry and spread a wide range of harmful diseases, as well as contaminate the food you eat. In some people, the presence of cockroaches can also cause respiratory problems.
Here are five of the most common warning signs of a roach infestation, and why you need to take action.
1) You spot live cockroaches
Although cockroaches tend to stay out of sight, as an infestation increases, the members of the colony may start to get bolder and show themselves when people are around.
Spotting live roaches in your home is a clear indication that you need to take immediate action. Even the sight of one cockroach is a warning sign of what could be to come, so keep an eye out for movement when you turn on the lights or walk into a room.
2) You notice property damage
One of the biggest warning signs of a cockroach infestation is damage to your property.
These bothersome pests will eat just about anything, often leaving behind chew marks and other signs of damage. You may spot these marks on food packaging, but roaches will also eat pages of books, leather, and trash.
3) You find discarded body parts and skin
Cockroaches often shed parts of their bodies and skin as they progress through the lifecycles and grow in size. You may see discarded wings or antennae around your house, or you could see shed skins that roaches leave behind as they grow new skin.
Cockroaches also lay eggs to reproduce, so the sight of a capsule full of eggs is a clear warning sign of an infestation. The capsule, called an oothecae, can contain up to 30 nymphs, which will grow into adulthood in your home.
4) You notice an unpleasant odor
An unpleasant odor in your house can also indicate the presence of a roach colony. Cockroaches leave feces behind wherever they are, and the droppings they produce emit a pheromone that appeals to other cockroaches that can smell or sense it.
When you catch a whiff of that pheromone, it comes through as a musty, unpleasant odor. As the number of cockroaches in your living space increases, the pheromone level will go up, resulting in a stronger odor.
5) You see an increase in dirt and grime
In areas with high humidity levels, cockroaches tend to produce smear marks that show up on the lower parts of walls where their bodies rub as they move through a living space.
If you notice an increase in dirt and grime within your space, particularly on the walls and floors, you could be dealing with cockroaches that are staying out of sight.
One type of roach that is more prevalent in humid areas is the smoky brown roach,which can produce these smear marks on the walls and leave other debris behind.
If you spot any warning signs that your home may be overrun with cockroaches, take action right away. The presence of these pests is worrisome from a health perspective, as they can spread disease and cause a wide range of health issues.
