Cockroaches prefer to live and feed in the dark, which makes them hard to detect during the early stages. Since they are nocturnal creatures, roaches hide in the dark, like in sinks, stoves, refrigerators as well as inside of major appliances and motors and beneath floor drains. You can also find them under rubber mats, within wall cracks and crevices and behind wallpaper, thanks to their ability to flatten their bodies.
If you suspect an infestation, its best to call a cockroach control in Boston immediately. These creatures multiply so fast and have the potential to cause infections to you and your loved ones. Here is how to detect roach infestation:
You see a roach
If you spot a cockroach in your house, then there are high chances that you have an outbreak. The hard truth is that cockroaches don’t walk alone. The fact that you have seen one should be a red flag. This is especially true if you spot the roach during the daytime because that would mean that they are overcrowded and can’t hide anymore. In such a case, you could be facing a pretty large cockroach infestation.
Your neighbors have cockroaches
This is another big giveaway. If your neighbor has a cockroach infestation, it’s likely that it will spread to your home – sooner or later. If they haven’t invaded already, you’ll want to put measures in place to minimize the risk of having an infestation. You can do this by ensuring that your home is cockroach-unfriendly – by tightly sealing all foods, closing all entry points to your house, cleaning up messes promptly, keeping trash cans outdoors and keeping your home clutter-free.
You see oval-shaped egg casings
An egg casing is a big indicator of infestation. When you spot one, you’ll have an idea of what you are dealing with. Each casing often holds about 20 to 50 eggs; once the eggs hatch, the casing remains in the same position. So if you find the casing behind your refrigerator or furniture, near leaky pipes or in the cabinet, you should put measures in place to control the invasion before things get out of hand. Sometimes, you may find a casing that still has eggs, in which case you’ll need to destroy it by flushing it down the toilet.
You notice an unpleasant odor
Under normal circumstances, you wouldn’t catch a cockroach smell, because they don’t leave behind a strong enough scent for you to realize. However, if you have a severe infestation, then you are bound to notice a strong musky or oily odor. The bodies of dead roaches may also add to the smell when they decompose.
You spot cockroach feces
If you have an infestation, rest assured you’ll see the droppings. The feces of small cockroaches look like black pepper or coffee grounds, while those of larger roaches are cylindrical. The quantity of visible droppings is often a good pointer of the duration or level of infestation. While these creatures are known for leaving their feces wherever they go, you should focus on places like cabinet tops, floor corners and below the stoves and refrigerators.