Cockroaches started roaming the earth about 350 million years ago. These pests pre-date the dinosaurs. While dinosaurs are now extinct, cockroaches learned how to survive even the roughest of environments. So, your home is a walk in the park for them. If you want to make sure you have none of these creatures in your house, check out these five signs of a cockroach infestation.
Live or Dead Cockroaches
The first and most obvious sign of a cockroach infestation is live or dead cockroaches around your house. These creatures can appear in any part of your home, but they prefer dark places that are close to food and water. Under sinks, behind refrigerators, near trash cans and inside pantries are common places to spot these nuisances. If you notice multiple cockroaches, either place traps or contact a pest control service right away.
Egg Shells
Since cockroaches are insects, they hatch from eggs. Therefore, if you notice eggshells throughout your home, you have an infestation. Cockroaches are small, so their egg cases will be tiny. These cases are brown, oblong and translucent. Typically, these pests keep their eggs on them until they hatch, but they sometimes leave them off in books, cabinets and protected dark areas.
Foul Odor
Cockroaches give off a foul odor. Like many other animals and insects, these tiny bugs defecate where they live, sleep and breed. This odor attracts other cockroaches to come and congregate. To humans, the smell is musty, pungent and oily.
Cockroach Droppings
Another way of knowing that you have a cockroach infestation is finding their droppings in your home. These droppings look like coffee grounds or black pepper. And, you can find them anywhere in your house. Common places include countertops, inside the pantry, under or near appliances, in cabinets or at corners of objects.
Shed Skin
As these uninvited guests get bigger, they have to get rid of their old skin. Cockroaches shed about five to eight times as they go through their growth and maturing periods. Their exoskeleton comes in a variety of sizes, depending on how big they are. You can find their old skin anywhere around your home. You may mistake this skin for a dead cockroach, but whether it is deceased or just the old skin, contact a pest inspector right away.
How to Exterminate a Cockroach Infestation - Call Germantown Pest Control
Do not let cockroaches take over your home. Call a local pest control company right away if you see any of these five signs. Do you live in Memphis, Tennessee or the surrounding areas and need help with pests? Then, look no further than Germantown Pest Control and Termite. Contact us today for more information.