People say that cockroaches can survive a nuclear war and while that might be a bit of an exaggeration, having roaches in your home could still be a scary situation. There are many reasons why you might be dealing with a roach infestation but rest assured, cleanliness is not always the reason.

Cockroaches enter your home in a variety of different ways from the outside. They come in through cracks, vents and even drain pipes. There are some situations where they also find their way in through your groceries.

These pests are nocturnal, so they are challenging to track and find, but if you think you’re dealing with a roach problem, don’t try and tackle it alone. They are thrifty and they can survive most pest control strategies.

First, let’s take a look at why you might have roaches and how you can determine if you have a problem.

Young girl screaming as two roaches crawl onto her desk in Tallahassee, FL

Where to Find Roaches?

If you’ve seen a few roaches in your home, that is usually the sign of an infestation. Roaches stay hidden until they are forced out of hiding by overcrowding. If you have a couple hanging around, it’s usually the sign of a much larger problem.

They reproduce fast, so for every two, you see that means there could be as many as 25 for each couple. Roaches love warm environments with plenty of food sources. While your house might not be “dirty,” they are attracted to dropped crumbs and any food underneath appliances and furniture.

The best way to track down a roach problem is to pay attention at night. If possible, set up a few cameras in your kitchen after dark.

Schedule Inspection

Signs of Roaches

As we said, cockroaches are nocturnal so you won’t find them during the day. They’ll stay hidden underneath appliances and in any cracks or crevices they can find. Luckily, there are a few signs to look out for if you think you have an issue:

Smell – Cockroaches have a strong odor that will coat anything they touch. If you have a significant infestation, you’ll have no problem noticing the scent.

Droppings – Cockroach feces closely mimics that of a mouse. Keep your eyes open along the perimeter of your home and especially underneath stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers and anything else that may harbor food.

Smears – When you have a severe infestation, you’ll find smear marks around the floor and along low-hanging horizontal surfaces. These marks usually occur in areas where water is plentiful.

Exoskeletons/skins – Roaches shed their skin five to eight times, and you can find these near the area where they live. If you see skin laying around, you have a serious problem and you are hot on their trail.

What Causes Roaches

Here are some of the most popular reasons why cockroaches enter the home:

Trash bags sitting around for long periods
Open pantry areas
Damp basements
Plenty of cracks and entry points outside the home

As we said, it’s not always dirt or food particles that attract cockroaches to homes; sometimes, it could be the ideal environment due to moisture and humidity.

Schedule Your Service

Capelouto Termite & Pest Control Can Help

Roaches cause a variety of different diseases such as:

Cholera
Gastroenteritis
Leprosy
Salmonellosis

Their droppings are highly dangerous, and they pose a health risk to you and your family. Don’t take this situation lightly. Contact us today for help with any roach problems.