Signs You Have a Cockroach Infestation

May 23, 2018

Unfortunately, cockroaches are among the most common pests in many homes. They are pests because of their filthy habits and bad smell. Within one year, a female cockroach and her first round of young can lead to an infestation of 800 cockroaches so if you have a cockroach infestation, it is actually easier to spot […]

There are also a variety of ways cockroaches can enter your house. The most common are through cracks and crevices in walls and around doors or windows, as well as through plumbing, sewers and drains. Some cockroaches can also be easily transported from one location to another. So, if you’ve recently moved and are bringing cardboard boxes into your house, be sure to check them for cockroaches.

Cockroaches get into everything, multiply rapidly, and can survive for several months without food and up to two weeks without water. They are nocturnal, so are most active at night and generally hide throughout the day. If roaches are seen during the day, this could be a sign of a major infestation. Roaches are attracted to food and water that has been left out on the counter, greasy, dirty dishes in the sink, greasy spills, and food crumbs lying around.

Where might you find a cockroach home

Where a cockroach infestation can be found depends on the species of cockroach that has invaded your property and the ambient conditions in your area. Some species prefer warm and humid conditions, so these are more restricted in cooler climates, whilst others can tolerate cooler conditions.

Most cockroaches prefer moist, damp, humid places, so they are frequently found near leaky pipes under your kitchen or bathroom sinks and even areas near a wet bath mat on the bathroom floor. As one of the most common household pests, they are not just a nuisance because they pose serious health risks. Some species such as Oriental cockroaches can survive in drier, cooler areas so check downpipes for cracks and crevices they might hide in, as well as damaged drain covers they could scuttle through. Because they can flatten their bodies to fit into narrow areas, cockroaches may also be found hiding beneath rubber mats, behind wallpaper and within wall cracks.

Cockroaches will be hidden in areas in or behind cupboards and cabinets, food packaging. Sometimes cockroaches can be found in the upper inside corner of cupboards, hanging upside down out of sight. They could also be around pipe work such as under sinks and behind dishwashers. These areas could provide moisture as well as shelter, and food scraps or other food and water sources can attract cockroaches and are often the routes of infestation. Spotting them in daylight can also suggest an established population.

It’s important for your health and safety that you call a cockroach control company immediately if you see a cockroach infestation. You need to stop the cockroaches from multiplying and spreading to prevent any health risks that are associated with this unpleasant and unhygienic insect.

How to identify the signs of a cockroach infestation?

Cockroach droppings

Cockroaches leave behind a dusting of black droppings that can resemble coffee grounds. Seeing roach droppings is one of the most common signs of a cockroach infestation. Roach feces can harbor more than 33 kinds of bacteria, and around food-prep areas they can contaminate food and contribute to food contamination, so be cautious when cleaning them up. Wear gloves and a face mask, and use a vacuum to suck up loose feces before washing the surface with a disinfectant cleaner.

Cockroach smear marks

If there is water around cockroaches will produce an irregular brown shaped smear mark as they crawl around, or rest. Look for marks on horizontal surfaces at wall and floor junctions; this is where they are most active.

Egg Capsules

Cockroach eggs are contained inside egg cases that are known as oothecae. Each ootheca can contain 10 to 50 eggs. American and German cockroaches create brown coloured oothecae while the Oriental cockroach produces reddish-brown ones. Some species of roaches, such as the German cockroach keep their oothecae attached until just hours before the eggs hatch, but other species will attach an ootheca in a sheltered space several days before hatching of the nymphs occurs. Once the eggs hatch, the ootheca, nearly translucent casing, is left behind and sometimes visible behind furniture and in other dark hidden locations, such as the spaces between books.

Shed Skin

As they grow in size from nymphs into an adult and progress through the various lifecycle stages into adulthood, cockroaches shed their skins 5-8 times.

If cockroaches are present, you will likely see these shed skins of varying sizes around your home or business. Look for these shed skin in areas where you think they are living. Finding shed skins around your home is a definite indicator that cockroaches have been present but it does not necessarily mean there’s an active problem.

The presence of shed skins, roach droppings, and cockroach saliva can trigger allergies and allergic reactions when inhaled.

Damage

Cockroaches often leave behind chew marks and other signs of damage as they feed on decaying organic matter, food packaging, and household goods. Look for signs of any unusual damage, cockroaches will also attack organic goods including books and leather.

Unusual Odour

Cockroaches emit unpleasant smells. Where they live and sleep cockroaches will defecate, this produces a pheromone that in turn attracts other cockroaches. For humans, it creates an unpleasant musty odour that lingers and will become more intense as the infestation grows. A single German cockroach can produce a noticeable odor on its own. The bodies of dead cockroaches will also cause odors, too as oleic acid is produced.

Live Cockroaches

Usually, as cockroaches are nocturnal, you’d only see live cockroaches at night when it’s dark, so when you turn on a light you might see cockroaches scurrying around. German cockroaches are typically light brown, need humidity and warmth, and are often found around kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. An American cockroach is larger and prefers warmer, damp areas. Oriental cockroaches like cooler, damp conditions and are found in drains and basements.

Cockroaches mainly come out to eat at night and stay hidden during the daytime hours, so if you see signs of these nocturnal creatures out and about while the sun is shining, you may have a bigger cockroach infestation.

How to get rid of a cockroach infestation

While surface sprays are useful in the prevention of cockroaches entering your home, diy methods may offer only temporary relief; broader control methods and professional pest management are usually needed for lasting results, and while poor hygiene can contribute, infestations are also driven by moisture and access points:

Make sure your kitchen is clean

Wipe down your counters, put all food in sealed containers, including pet food, and take the garbage out regularly, particularly when it has food debris, since accessible food attracts cockroaches. You should also clean small appliances, like toasters, that may collect crumbs, and avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink, especially overnight. Store food promptly, and store food in sealed containers for dry goods.

Get rid of any sources of moisture

This means fixing leaking or dripping faucets to help prevent cockroaches by cutting off water access, and properly sealing around pipes. Clean out your drains and garbage disposal as needed.

Check around sinks and drains for leaks and contact a specialist if you need any large leaks in piping to be professionally sealed, since reducing moisture removes one of the key conditions pest cockroaches rely on.

Seal cracks and crevices

Make sure to focus on sealing entry points between walls or tiles, around windows and doors, crawl space vents, and holes for electric, gas and plumbing lines. The roaches will be forced out of their dark hiding places and into the open where they won’t be able to survive for long.

Get rid of any cardboard boxes

Cardboard boxes are common breeding spots for cockroaches as well as being a reliable food source. Recycling or disposing of cardboard boxes is a good way to deter cockroaches from using them as food or reproduction grounds.

Use Sticky Traps or cockroach baits

You can find the sticky traps, gel baits and chemical baits available at your local store.

Use Boric Acid, Diatomaceous earth and Baking Soda

Boric acid is one of the best ways to kill cockroaches in your home.

Natural smells

Much like any animal on the planet there are certain smells that cockroaches don’t like so here are a few natural pest control solutions you can either make into a spray or have a scented candle with these smells:

Bay Leaves
Lavender
Eucalyptus
Citrus
Peppermint
Lemongrass

Call a professional pest control company

If you have noticed any of the signs above, it’s a good time to call in your local professional cockroach control, professional pest control services, and pest control services to deal with your infestation quickly A professional technician can identify the species of cockroach that has invaded your home and the conditions your home provides, and select the right control methods.

Here at CPS we are trained to provide you with the best service and most efficient solutions to your pest problems, including the risks to human health from spreading bacteria, food poisoning, and ingesting contaminated food.

We’re here to help. Call us at 1300 766 614

So we can help get rid of your cockroach infestation immediately, with proven support for major pests and resilient pests/

Send us a message and one of our specialists pest managers will be in touch