Cockroaches
The old saying is that if you’ve seen one, you probably haven’t seen them all.
Four Signs of Cockroach Infestation
Seeing A Cockroach
Cockroaches are nocturnal insects. Typically, you will not see cockroaches during the day. If you do see a cockroach during the day, then it is possibly a sign of infestation.
Cockroaches tend to prefer dark, wet places to hide and breed. Most of the time they won’t be found unless you look behind refrigerators, sinks, stoves, under floor drains, and inside of motors and major appliances. They may also be found hiding underneath rubber mats, behind wallpaper, and within cracks of the walls. Cockroaches can flatten their bodies to fit into extremely narrow areas.
Finding Roach Feces
Cockroach feces are usually only visible during an infestation. Smaller roach feces that resemble coffee grounds or black pepper, while larger roaches have cylindrical droppings. The quantity of visible feces is oftentimes a good indication of the level or duration of infestation.
Oothecae: Cockroach Egg Cases
Infestations grow more and more rapidly because roaches are aggressive breeders. At a certain point, this means that cockroach eggs will begin to be visible throughout different places in your home.
Cockroaches don’t lay singular eggs, instead they produce oothecae. Oothecae is the name for oblong, brown casings that house many eggs. When roach eggs hatch, the oothecae/casings are left behind, providing undeniable evidence that there is a roach infestation. Sometimes you might find oothecae with unhatched eggs still inside. Most species of common household roaches in the US produce oothecae with 10 to 20 eggs inside. The German roach, however, which is the most common home invader, produces ootheca with up to 50 eggs inside.
Cockroach eggs are a clear sign of an infestation. Oval-shaped egg cases may be visible behind furniture, on counters, or in other hidden locations, such as the spaces between books. If you’ve found eggs, call us right now.
Strong Odors
Roaches produce a pungent, musty odor that some people describe as “oily”. The odor of a cockroach infestation will get stronger as the roach infestation grows. At the point that you can smell an infestion, it is likely that you have cockroaches throughout your home.
Stop cockroach infestions before they get bad. If you notice any of these four signs of a cockroach infestation, then call Cape Fear Termite & Pest Control. We will help you reclaim your home.
Cockroaches: Quick Facts & Identification
Common cockroaches can measure over 2 inches in length. Cockroaches have six legs, two antennae, and some have wings. Most winged cockroaches are not particularly good at flying.
Cockroaches are beneficial to the environment as important recyclers of decaying organic material. However, the common pest cockroaches can be carriers of various diseases because they are often found near trash or in the kitchen, where food is present. Many restaurants have to fight cockroach infestations.
Cockroaches can wreak havoc on your home. To win the war in cockroach control, here’s some helpful information:
- Entry: Cockroaches can enter your home in many different ways; through cracks and crevices, vents, sewer, and drain pipes. They can also hitchhike their way in your home on items like grocery bags, boxes, and purses.
- Ideal environment: Your home is an ideal breeding ground for common pest species of cockroaches. With plenty of food, warmth, water and nesting sites, they can remain active all year round.
- Reproduction: Cockroaches reproduce quickly. For every one you see there can be many, many more hiding and multiplying behind your walls.
- Evasiveness: Because cockroaches typically are nocturnal, if you’ve seen one, you probably haven’t seen them all. The few cockroaches you see by day could mean they were likely forced out by overcrowding; a possible sign of severe infestation.
- Allergies / Asthma: The debris created by cast-off cockroach skins, dead bodies, and droppings is known for aggravating allergies, especially in children and sensitive individuals.
- DIY Roach Traps: Cockroaches are better at hiding than you are at finding them, and their eggs are naturally protected from many over-the-counter insecticides. Without special equipment, materials and know-how, cockroach control can be a losing battle.
Got roaches? Call us immediately. Cape Fear Termite & Pest Control will get rid of what bugs you!
