Cockroaches are a cesspool of bacteria and viruses. Their mere presence can close food establishments for an entire day. They can contaminate everything they touch and even cause irreparable structural damage when they infest load-bearing walls and insulation. This is why proper cockroach control is important, especially at home.
While the occasional cockroach sighting isn’t a sign of trouble, seeing one too many too often can be a red flag of worse things.
Understanding Cockroach Infestations
Cockroach infestations can range from light or mild to severe or heavy. You don’t need to worry yet if you see five or fewer cockroaches at night. But, it’s worth noting that the cockroaches you see are just a fraction of the actual number.
A nightmare scenario is thinking you only have a light infestation and then finding that more than 25 cockroaches have settled in your home. This is a situation that professionals classify as a heavy cockroach infestation.
The increased sightings of cockroaches during the day, droppings, shedding, and molten skin are tell-tale signs. But, if you start seeing egg sacs (oothecae), call a professional exterminator as soon as possible.
Signs That You Need To Need Professional Help
- Cockroaches live in dark and damp areas. You should worry if you see them throughout the day and at night in well-lit areas.
- Another worrying sign of a dangerous number of cockroaches living inside your house is drops and shed skin in specific areas. These spots are usually accompanied by an unpleasant musty odor. The stronger the smell is, the closer you are to cockroach hiding spots.
- In heavily afflicted dwellings, cockroaches are everywhere. They can hide and breed in file drawers, appliances, and even inside clothes cabinets.
These are signs that a space is already beyond DIY treatments. Trying to solve these levels of cockroach outbreaks on your own can put you, your family, and your pets at risk. Dangerous chemicals are as toxic to human beings and animals as they are to insects like cockroaches.
When you see these signs, don’t ignore them. Instead, call professional pest control companies for complete cockroach eradication.
Prevention Is Key to Keeping Cockroaches Out of Your Home
Proper sanitation practices like sealing food containers, wiping down spills, cleaning dishes, and taking out the trash can keep your apartment or house safe from cockroaches. You can also seal cracks and gaps around pipes, windows, and doors to keep cockroaches outside. Finally, preventative baits and traps are effective for low-level cockroach problems.
When dealing with cockroaches, shift the focus to prevention and not treatment.
Heavy Cockroach Infestations Are Bad For Your Health
Cockroaches can host bacteria and viruses like salmonella, and in worse cases, even polio. They have no place inside your lovely homes. But, in worse cases, DIY treatments are no longer effective. This is where professionals come in.
For your safety and security, Peace of Mind Pest Control offers a wide range of cockroach control solutions tailored to individual homeowner needs. Call us today for a consultation so you don’t lose more sleep due to your worsening cockroach situation.
