Signs of a Cockroach Infestation in Your Home

Cockroaches can be hard to spot in your home. They’re most active at night and prefer to live in dark, moist areas like behind the fridge, sink, and other appliances. Plus, they’re can hide away in small cracks, crevices, and other tiny areas. Though these critters may be difficult to find in your home, there are a few common signs that you may have roaches. Read more to learn about the top four warning signals of an infestation.

Roach Egg Cases

Cockroaches are aggressive breeders, which is why infestations can quickly go from bad to worse. However, this also makes it easy to spot an infestation. Roaches don’t just lay one egg, they create brown oval casings that hold numerous eggs called oothecae. After the eggs hatch, the oothecae is left behind, providing solid proof that there are roaches in your home. Look for oothecae inside the pantry, in books, behind furniture, in cracks, and in other small, private, and well-protected areas.

Unusual, Musty Odors

Cockroaches produce a strong and musty scent that only gets worse as the infestation continues. Typically, the stronger the smell is, the larger the number of roaches in the home is. Odors can also come from dead cockroaches caused by the oleic acid produced during decomposition. These smells can linger around your home. If you smell something unusual in your home, be sure to contact a service that provides home pest control in Atlanta, GA.

Cockroach Feces

Another of the most common signs of a serious infestation is a large amount of roach droppings. Cockroaches eat anything they can get their hands on like human food, plants, garbage, dead skin cells, and even feces. Because of this and their high metabolisms, roaches produce a lot of excrement. The appearance of the waste can vary depending on the type of roach and the size of the infestation. It may look like tiny flecks of pepper, coffee grounds, brown stains, or oval pellets. Look behind the fridge, stove, sinks, pantries, cupboards, and other food storage areas for this evidence.

Seeing a Roach

Of course, the clearest sign that you have an infestation is actually seeing a roach. Cockroaches are nocturnal, so you’re more likely to spot one at night. Generally, they will scatter when you enter a room and turn on a light. If you see a roach during the day, it likely means the infestation has been an issue for a long time and has progressed to a point where serious measures must be taken. Roaches usually remain hidden during the day, but overcrowding and less available food can draw them out. In this case, contact a pest control company immediately.