Cockroaches are a fact of life. In fact, they’re more than just a fact of life—they’re one of the most common household pests in America. If you have roaches in your home, it’s time to take action and eradicate these creepy crawlers before they get out of control and infest your entire kitchen.
But how do you know if you have a cockroach problem? And where do these sneaky little critters hide out in the first place?
We’ll go over all the signs that indicate your house is infested with roaches so that you can quickly remove them from your home!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Natural pest control can be just as effective as chemical pesticides for eliminating cockroach infestations. |
| Cockroaches pose serious health risks to humans and can cause significant property damage. |
| A multi-faceted approach is necessary to eliminate cockroaches, including prevention, sanitation, and professional pest control. |
| Regular inspections and treatments are essential for detecting and preventing cockroach infestations. |
| Understanding the physical characteristics and behavior of different cockroach species can help with identification and treatment. |
| Early detection and swift action are key to preventing cockroach infestations from becoming unmanageable. |
Know The Signs
Look for the brownish-black, winged insects. The cockroaches in our country are of the German variety, but there are also Oriental and American varieties as well.
Look for their size and wingspan. Cockroach bodies range from 1/4 to 1 inch long, with a wingspan that’s about three times longer than this (1-1/2 inches).
A roach’s antennae will be longer than its head and body combined; they have six legs on each side of its body; they’re flat and oval in shape; they’re light to dark brown or black in color.
For comparison purposes, when you see an insect on your floor that’s bigger than a mouse but smaller than a cricket—and has wings—it could be a cockroach!
While chemical pesticides may seem like a quick fix for cockroach infestations, natural remedies can be just as effective without the harmful side effects. Check out our guide on Cockroach Control: Natural Remedies vs Chemical Pesticides to learn more about the benefits of natural pest control
Inspect Your Home
Cockroaches are pests, and they need food and water to survive. If you find any evidence of cockroach activity, it’s a good idea to take steps towards ridding yourself of them before they become a bigger problem.
Check under sinks, pipes, or appliances for droppings and egg cases; check damaged fabrics or papers in the kitchen and pantry areas; inspect closets where food is kept; look behind furniture near windowsills that gets direct sunlight since roaches like these areas because they’re warm—and then squash anything resembling a cockroach body part (eek!).
You can also check if the area has dampness due to plumbing problems that could attract cockroaches as well as mice (who love eating roach eggs).
Look For Droppings
Cockroach droppings are dark brown or black, shiny, and resemble coffee grounds. The insect will often leave behind a trail of these droppings as it travels through your home during the night. Droppings can also be found in toilets, sinks, and drains, as well as in corners of the kitchen.
Cockroaches may also leave behind traces of their presence on walls, floors and countertops near where they have been foraging for food or shelter.
Cockroaches not only cause discomfort but also pose serious health risks to humans. Protect your family and property with preventative measures outlined in our guide on The Dangers of Cockroach Infestations and How to Prevent Them.
Seek Out Food Sources
The first thing you should do is to look for food sources. Cockroaches need food to survive, so if they are present in your home or business, there will be a lot of it around.
Look for any food that is left out or not in a sealed container. Also look for pet food, garbage and other organic material (like moldy produce).
Search For Damages To Fabrics And Papers
Cockroaches like to hide in dark places, so look for signs of damage to fabrics and papers. Cockroaches will eat almost anything, but they are particularly attracted to paper and fabric items. They can damage books, clothing and furniture by chewing holes in them.
They also leave stains on walls and floors which can be seen as dark brownish-red smudges or droppings left behind after they have been eating an item such as wallpaper paste. It is common for cockroaches to leave behind a musty smell once they have been in your home because they love warm moist areas such as basements where there is no airflow at all!
| Items to Check for Damage |
|---|
| Upholstered furniture |
| Curtains and drapes |
| Carpets and rugs |
| Books and magazines |
| Wallpaper |
| Documents and photographs |
| Clothing and linens |
| Storage boxes and containers |
| Artwork and frames |
| Mattresses and bedding |
Take A Look At The Floor For Dead Specimens And Egg Cases
Take a look at the floor for dead specimens and egg cases. Cockroaches are nocturnal pests, so you will see them at night when you turn on your lights.
You can even listen for them by placing a bowl of water in the kitchen or bathroom; cockroaches will be attracted to the light and will fall into the container as they try to escape it.
To find out if there are cockroach droppings, look on surfaces that would have been touched by roaches such as countertops or cabinets next to appliances where food is kept (though remember that not all roaches eat human food).
Cockroaches are a persistent problem that require a multi-faceted approach to eliminate. Check out our guide on 15 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Home for a comprehensive list of methods to banish these pesky insects from your home.
Conduct A Close Inspection Of All Corners, Crevices, And Cracks
When the roaches are active, they’ll be found on the walls, floors and other surfaces in your home.
However, they may also be hiding in dark corners of your cabinets or drawers. You can identify these crevices by doing a close inspection of all corners, crevices, and cracks before turning on the lights (or leaving them off to allow for better vision).
If you don’t see any evidence of cockroaches during your inspection then it’s time to turn on some lights!
Search Your Basement, Carport, Garage, And Storage Areas
- Check your basement, carport, garage and storage areas. Look for droppings and egg cases.
- Look for signs of infestation such as damaged fabrics or papers.
- Look for damp areas where roaches might nest under cabinets or behind appliances.
Hunt Out Damp Areas In Your Home
After you’ve identified a few cockroach habitats, it’s time to hunt out the roaches themselves. The best places to start your search are in damp areas of your home.
You’re likely to find them in the kitchen sink and bathroom, but they may also be discovered lurking around other damp spots like under sinks or laundry rooms.
If you do see one or more cockroaches during your search, don’t panic! The presence of these pests is not an indication that there are many more hidden around the house—it’s just proof that they’re probably living somewhere nearby and have been eating much of their food before it can be disposed of properly.
| Areas to Check for Dampness |
|---|
| Basements |
| Crawl spaces |
| Attics |
| Bathrooms |
| Kitchens |
| Laundry rooms |
| Around windows |
| Under sinks |
| Near pipes |
| Behind appliances |
Make Sure To Check Under Sinks, Pipes And Appliances Regularly.
To find cockroaches in your home, it helps to know where they like to hide. Cockroaches can be found under sinks, pipes and appliances regularly.
Check around the base of toilets and showers, behind kitchen cabinets and refrigerators, inside garbage disposals, dishwashers and washing machines.
It is not uncommon for cockroaches to crawl through the smallest of cracks or holes as they look for food or water sources.
When searching for signs of cockroach infestation it is important not just to look for adult insects but also their eggs or droppings.
Some species will lay their eggs inside egg cases which resemble little bean-shaped casings made out of silk fibers that keep pests safe from predators until they hatch into nymphs (baby roaches).
Don’t let cockroaches take over your space. Regular inspections and treatments can detect and prevent infestations before they become unmanageable. Check out our guide on The Importance of Regular Cockroach Inspections and Treatments to learn more about the benefits of professional pest control
Check Your Drainpipes And Sewage Lines For Feces And Egg Casing Infestations
Cockroaches can live anywhere, but they prefer warm and humid areas. They’re often found in sewers or drains because it’s easy to get there through pipes.
You may also see them in your walls and ceilings, as well as under carpets or furniture. You might even find them in your kitchen cabinets where they’ve been feeding on food scraps.
To check for infestation in these places:
Inspect the drains and sewage lines for feces and egg casing infestations (these are usually dark brown). If you do find any evidence that roaches have been around, then you’ll want to use a special product called “roach killer” which will help get rid of them permanently from your home environment!
Conclusion
While cockroaches can be difficult to locate and control, they’re not impossible. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to identify a cockroach infestation in your home.
If you do suspect that an infestation is occurring, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a free inspection of your property!
Different species of cockroaches require different treatment methods. Learn how to identify the most common species found in homes and how to effectively eliminate them with our guide on The Most Common Species of Cockroaches Found in Homes.
Further Reading
Orkin Canada – Cockroaches: Learn more about cockroaches, including identification, behavior, and how to eliminate them, from Orkin Canada.
Cockroach Facts – Types of Roaches with Pictures: This article breaks down the different types of cockroaches with pictures to help with identification and provides tips for control and prevention.
Orkin – What Does a Cockroach Look Like?: Read about the physical characteristics of cockroaches, such as their color, size, and shape, in this informative article by Orkin.
FAQs
What are the signs of a cockroach infestation?
Some common signs of a cockroach infestation include an unpleasant odor, droppings that resemble black pepper or coffee grounds, shed skins or egg cases, and seeing live or dead cockroaches.
What are the risks of having cockroaches in your home?
Cockroaches can contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria, allergens, and feces, which can trigger asthma and allergies. They can also cause damage to books, wallpaper, and electronics.
How do you prevent a cockroach infestation?
Preventive measures include keeping your home clean and free of clutter, sealing up cracks and gaps, storing food in airtight containers, and fixing leaky pipes and faucets.
What are some natural remedies for getting rid of cockroaches?
Natural remedies include using boric acid, diatomaceous earth, or essential oils such as peppermint or tea tree to kill or repel cockroaches. However, these methods may not be as effective as chemical pesticides.
When should you call a professional pest control company for a cockroach problem?
If you have tried multiple DIY methods and the infestation persists, it’s time to call a professional pest control company. They have the expertise and tools to effectively eliminate cockroaches and prevent future infestations.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I write about how to keep pests from invading your home. For the last 10 years, I’ve been working in pest control and am excited to share my expertise with you!
