If you ever see any of these signs in your home or business, you should immediately take action and deal with the cockroach infestation before it becomes worse. You’re protecting your health if you act quickly at the first sign of a cockroach infestation. In addition to carrying bacteria and viruses that cause dangerous diseases, cockroaches also act as serious allergens for many people, especially children. Allergic reactions can be caused by the enzymes that are released when cockroaches shed body parts, lay eggs, or deposit saliva or excrement in our homes.

Signs of Cockroach Infestation

The following list details the direct signs of cockroach infestation. If you see any of the following signs, don’t hesitate to address the situation before it becomes a bigger problem.

Eggs and egg casings:

Cockroach eggs are small, light colored, and oval-shaped. Cockroaches typically lay several eggs at one time in an egg sac known as an “egg casing.” Egg casings are long, narrow, paper-y packets, typically light brown in color, that usually contain 20-50 eggs. If you find an egg casing that appears full, flush it down the toilet immediately. If you find an empty egg casing, then take immediate action to deal with the cockroach infestation before it gets worse.

Droppings:

Cockroach excrement is very small and easy to mistake for something else, like coffee grounds or black pepper, because it can look like dark specks for certain species of cockroaches. However it can also be as large as a grain of rice or look like a dark smear, for other species. You’ll be able to guess whether it is cockroach excrement instead of spilled pepper due to its location. Cockroach droppings are usually found on top of cabinets, underneath kitchen appliances, or in the corners of floors, drawers, or cabinets. It is important to wear gloves to keep from spreading dangerous bacteria when you clean up cockroach droppings.

Tiny cockroaches:

If you see tiny cockroaches, you may have an infestation. Seeing even a single cockroach is a sign that there are several living nearby, since cockroaches do not live alone. But if you see several small cockroaches, then you have a serious problem that calls for immediate action. Cockroaches reproduce rapidly and in large amounts. Tiny cockroaches are a sure sign that the infestation has become established and should be addressed quickly and effectively.

If you notice any of these signs of cockroach infestation, don’t wait to do something about it. Contact West Termite, Pest & Lawn today to learn more.