If you see something scurry across your bathroom floor at 3 miles per hour, this might be an indicator of a
cockroach infestation. These pests rapidly multiply and can find a variety of entry points into your home.
Understanding the signs of a cockroach infestation can help you identify these insects before they wreak havoc on your house. Not only are they unsightly, but they carry a host of harmful bacteria and pathogens.
Seeing as females have the unique ability to mate once and stay pregnant for their entire life, it’s important to nip these pests in the bud as soon as you spot them.
Here’s how to identify a cockroach infestation and how to treat it.
Signs of a Cockroach Infestation
If you have a cockroach infestation, there are signs to look for. Consider the following:
- Cockroach droppings: These commonly look like pepper or coffee grounds
- Smears:
Cockroaches commonly leave dark smear marks on walls or wherever they’re most active
- Strange smells:
Cockroach droppings contain pheromones, so be mindful of damp, unpleasant odors
- Egg capsules: Cockroach egg capsules contain as many as 48 nymphs and are small, brown, or black and are shaped like a tiny purse
- Cockroach skin: Cockroaches shed 5-8 times before they mature, so look for shedded skin
- Chew marks: A cockroach infestation would offer chew marks, especially on food packaging or leather
- Cockroaches:
This might seem obvious, but if you see cockroaches scurrying about your home, you likely have more lurking about and a possible infestation
If you spot any of these signs, you need cockroach infestation treatment right away as an infestation is imminent.
Consider the
German cockroach. This is the most common cockroach across the globe.
Within a few weeks of this cockroach hatching it can reproduce. One female cockroach can produce as many as seven egg capsules in her 20 weeks of life (the lifespan of a German cockroach). Each egg capsule can hold upwards of 48 eggs, with an infestation occurring swiftly.
Treating a Cockroach Infestation
You might be wondering how to get rid of a cockroach infestation. There are several DIY treatments you can try.
Baking Soda
This effective method can kill cockroaches. Once cockroaches eat it, gasses accrue in its body, killing it. You need to mix baking soda with equal parts sugar to make the baking soda attractive to cockroaches.
Essential Oils
You can try peppermint or citrus oil sprays, as cockroaches detest these scents.
Purchase essential oils and, in a spray bottle, mix several drops with water. Wherever you see roaches, spray your concoction.
You can also add several doors of mint oil or lemon juice to a bucket filled with water. Mop your floors and wipe down your countertops to deter cockroaches.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a substance that occurs naturally. It’s made from fossilized sea organisms. It has sharp edges that cut insects as they crawl over it. This leads to dehydration and eventually kills the insects.
If you’re looking for a safe and non-toxic solution, DE is completely safe for humans and pets. Take a thin layer of DE and apply it to any surfaces where cockroaches crawl.
These methods might not treat your roach infestation. The best cockroach infestation treatment involves pest removal services. Trained professionals know the signs of a cockroach infestation and can quickly combat the issue.
FAQs About Cockroach Infestations
If you have signs of a cockroach infestation, you may have several questions. Here are some common FAQs to consider.
How Are Cockroaches Entering My Home?
Cockroaches enter your home the same way other insects do — through cracks and crevices. This includes
damage to your home or hitching a ride on items you bring into your house. This includes shoes, toys, and even pets.
Why Are They Coming Inside?
Cockroaches love food. This can be fresh food or rotting food in the garbage. If you have dirty dishes, cockroaches will gravitate toward them. Always clean your kitsch and dining room regularly to help keep a cockroach infestation at bay.
How Long Do Cockroaches Stay In a House?
The length of time cockroaches live in your home depends on local weather conditions, available nesting and breeding areas, and how much food and water they have available. You may find that several cockroaches make their way into your home and swiftly lay eggs, evolving from one to many.
Do Cockroaches Climb on People at Night?
Unfortunately, yes. These nocturnal posts are more likely to come out while you and your family are sleeping. If you’re a motionless sleeper, they may run across your bed while you’re asleep.
Can Cockroaches Harm You?
Cockroaches may very well carry harmful bacteria. These pests commonly live in dumpsters, bathrooms, and sewer drains, so they’re likely to transport pathogens as they come into contact with you or your family members.
If you have food that’s been exposed to a cockroach, never eat it. You’re exposing yourself and your family to bacteria and contamination.
Treat a Cockroach Infestation
If you suspect a cockroach infestation, it’s best to take action immediately. You can try several DIY methods as mentioned in this article, but cockroaches carry dangerous bacteria. The sooner you evict them from your property, the better.
Serene Property Services has the skills and experience to tackle any cockroach infestation.
Contact us today to see how we can help you with your pest removal needs in Sussex County, NJ, and Warwick, NY.
