Cockroaches serve an important purpose in the environment. They help decompose organic matter such as dead animals, fallen trees, feces, and garbage. Because of their job in the ecosystem, they spend a lot of time eating rather icky materials. While doing so, they pick up bacteria and pathogens on their spiny legs. That means they spread diseases like dysentery, typhoid fever, and cholera as well as 33 types of bacteria, including salmonella and E. coli. Cockroaches can also trigger allergies, especially among children.
While they have their role in the food chain, you definitely don’t want cockroaches in your Hartford home. Unfortunately, you may never actually see a cockroach. They like to hide behind walls and in the dark corners of homes. However, they do leave tell-tale signs of their presence. You have to know what to look for so you can address it before you have a large cockroach infestation on your hands.
Signs Of A Cockroach Infestation
- Cockroach Droppings: If you have cockroaches in your Hartford home, you’ll probably notice their droppings first. The droppings show up in corners, closets, and cupboards and look like coffee grounds or black pepper. The droppings are small, measuring less than 1 mm in length. (If you notice cockroach droppings in your home, get professional pest control services quickly to prevent the spread of disease. Be sure to clean the area using a disinfectant.)
- Shed Skins: As nymph cockroaches mature, they will shed their skins between five and eight times. So you will likely see these remnants in the areas where cockroaches like to hide. The skins look like a cockroach but are more transparent.
- Smear Marks: If you have a cockroach infestation, you may notice evidence on walls and countertops. Cockroaches can leave smear marks on moist surfaces like bathroom vanities and basement walls. You’ll only see the marks in areas where roaches are the most active, so be purposeful in your search. It’s a good idea to look in the following areas: Under bathroom cabinets, behind kitchen appliances, in boxes stored in basements.
- Egg Casings: Cockroaches lay multiple eggs at a time in a protected capsule called an ootheca. German cockroaches carry these capsules until they are almost ready to hatch, but other species drop the ootheca right away. While the ootheca may look slightly different depending on the species of cockroach, they are all oblong, small in size, brown or brownish-red, and segmented.
- Foul Odor: Cockroach droppings can produce foul odors, and roaches also produce pheromones that attract mates. While other cockroaches may like the odor, humans find the smell musty. As a cockroach infestation gets worse, the smells become worse. Unfortunately, by the time you notice the smell, the problem may be significant and require professional remediation.
What Is The Next Step?
If you see signs of cockroaches, your first stop may be the home improvement store for a can of roach spray. However, cockroaches are notoriously difficult to eliminate. They have become immune to many commercially available pesticides. Additionally, cockroaches reproduce quickly and are extremely resilient. For example:
- A cockroach can live a week without its head.
- A cockroach reaches maturity in 36 days.
- A cockroach can go a month without food and a week without water.
Instead of going the DIY route, call a pest control expert with experience in treating cockroaches in Hartford. American Pest Solutions offers customized solutions for both residential and commercial customers. We offer free evaluations followed by effective treatment options that work. If you have a roach problem, American Pest Solutions is only a phone call away. Contact us today at (857) 524-2991.