“I love the pitter patter of tiny cockroach feet as they scurry up my arm,” said nobody ever. Cockroaches are creepy, and it’s not just because of those long feelers and spindly legs. They’re creepy because they refuse to die from common pest control sprays. It’s said that they could even survive nuclear radiation.
No one likes that feeling of walking into the kitchen or bathroom and seeing a big cockroach scurry into the corner or under the refrigerator. It sends shivers down your spine and makes the room feel disgusting.
However, how do you know whether you are dealing with a rogue roach or a full-blown infestation? In this post, we’ll tell you what to look out for and when to consider a professional cockroach removal service.
How Do I Know I Have a Problem?
Here’s the bad news, if you’re reading this, you probably have a problem. You’re no doubt reading this because you have seen one of these little terrors lurking somewhere or running off. They are social insects and are pretty good at hiding.
If you’ve seen one, you can be sure that he’s got some mates around as well. Moreover, once these pests start settling in and breeding, getting rid of them becomes harder.
Here are some other signs to take note of:
- Droppings: These will be cylindrical in nature and dark in color. They’re about 2mm in length. These are more common if the roaches have less access to water.
- Smear Marks: These are going to be present when they have access to enough water. Look out for irregular, dark brown marks smeared along walls, floors, and floorboards.
- Old Skins: They have a hard exoskeleton which means that they need to shed their skins up to eight times before they are fully grown. Most of the time, these skins will be found close to where they have made their nest, so be on the lookout for that as well.
- A Strange Smell: If you start getting a whiff of an unpleasant smell that won’t go away, and have seen other signs that roaches are present, it’s time to call in a cockroach removal service. This likely means that they have a well-established colony.
My Home Is Clean — It Can’t Be That Bad
The cleanliness of your home has very little bearing on whether or not you have cockroaches. These are opportunistic insects, as long as they have access to food, shelter, and some moisture, they’re not all that fussy.
While they prefer to eat sweets, starches, and meats, they can also survive on hair and even the cellulose in books. So, even if your home is spick and span, there is bound to be something that roaches can eat.
Conclusion
These insects are pretty good at keeping themselves hidden. They are naturally nocturnal, so they are most active when we are asleep. Therefore, it’s a good idea to keep an eye open for signs that they have been around and deal with the issue decisively as soon as possible. Promptly calling a cockroach removal service can save you from future creepy encounters while keeping your home sanitary.
