Cockroaches are some of the most common pests on earth. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, and certain species like to live right alongside humans. On the Sunshine Coast, common pest cockroaches include: German cockroaches, American cockroaches, and Australian cockroaches. Once you start seeing a lot of cockroaches, the population is probably already very large. Luckily, there are plenty of warning signs that may alert you to a possible cockroach infestation before it gets out of control. Let’s take a look at some of these signs that you should be looking for.
Cockroach Feces
Small roaches will leave feces that looks like black pepper or coffee grounds. It will be dark in color, but may be difficult to identify with certainty because it lacks a real shape. Larger roaches leave very unique droppings that make it easier to identify. The droppings will be dark brown to black, cylindrical in shape with blunt ends, and will have ridges running down the sides. Cockroach feces will most likely be found in areas where they spend a lot of time like bathrooms, under appliances, in laundry rooms, under sinks, etc.
Cockroach Egg Cases
Cockroaches lay their eggs in oval shapes cases called oothecae. Some species of roaches carry the egg case with them until they are ready to hatch, and others will leave it in a dark, hidden place. The appearance of the egg cases varies by species, but most pest roach egg cases are brownish and 6-9 mm in length. One female German cockroach can create 90 oothecae in her lifetime, each one with up to 50 embryos. Frequent cleaning and dusting can help eliminate egg cases that may be hidden around the house.
Cockroach Odor
Another unpleasant sign that you may have a cockroach infestation is the odor that often accompanies a large population of roaches. Oftentimes, homeowners will complain that roaches have a distinctly oily or musty odor. This odor will most likely be strongest in humid or moist areas where roaches commonly live.
Live or Dead Cockroaches
Seeing live or dead cockroaches is the most obvious sign of a possible infestation, but seeing only one bug does not necessarily mean you have a problem. Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures that prefer to hide during the day and go out in search of food during the night. If you are seeing cockroaches during the daylight hours, that may be a sign that the population of roaches is very large and some are being forced to scavenge for food during the day because there is a lot of competition. The more roaches you see, the worse the problem is likely to be.
If you have been noticing any of these signs of cockroaches around your home, it may be time to investigate further. A professional exterminator is trained to be able to identify these signs, as well as find where the infestation is, and how to deal with it. Radar Pest Control is your Sunshine Coast cockroach control specialist. We will come to your home to perform an inspection and work with you to formulate a comprehensive plan to eliminate the cockroaches. Our treatments are safe, odourless, and non-staining. You are in good hands with the trained technicians at Radar Pest Control. Contact us today.