How To Tell If There’s A Roach Problem In Your Reno Home

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Signs Of Cockroaches

Cockroaches are nocturnal. Roaches seek out dark, humid places, so under the kitchen sink and the bathroom sink are favorite places to hide. In addition, they live behind, under, or in appliances such as the refrigerator and stove. Because these areas are hard to check, you are apt to see signs of them before you actually see a roach. The most frequent signs are listed below.

  • Feces – Small cockroach feces look like coffee grounds or black pepper. Larger cockroaches have cylindrical droppings. Feces can serve as a rough indicator of the number of roaches you are dealing with.
  • Strong oily or musty odor – Cockroaches produce an unpleasant oily or musty smell. The more roaches you have, the worse the odor becomes.
  • Smears – Cockroaches leave behind oily, dirty smears along frequently traveled paths.
  • Egg cases – Cockroaches leave behind empty egg cases that resemble small brown purses.
  • Shed skins – After hatching, cockroaches go through several molts. You may find shed skins around infested areas.

Lifecycle Of Cockroaches

Female cockroaches lay their eggs in a brown capsule often referred to as a “purse.” Most species attach this capsule in a hidden, protected area using a sticky secretion. German cockroaches carry their egg cases until the young hatch. Depending on the species, each capsule can contain anywhere from 16 to 50 eggs.

When the eggs hatch, the young are called nymphs. After several molts, they reach adulthood. German cockroaches can produce multiple generations each year, while other species may take up to a year to mature.

Dangers Of Cockroaches

Cockroaches are more than just irritating pests. They can spread diseases by crawling over food-preparation areas, utensils, and stored food. These diseases include salmonellosis, typhoid fever, cholera, gastroenteritis, dysentery, listeriosis, Giardia, and E. coli.

Additionally, shed skins, feces, and egg cases break down into airborne particles that can worsen asthma and allergy symptoms. Children in heavily infested homes are more likely to experience severe asthma complications.

Cockroaches Die Hard

Cockroaches, especially German cockroaches, are extremely difficult to eliminate. They can hide in cracks as small as 1/32 to 3/16 of an inch wide, making it hard for pesticides to reach them. This is why bug bombs are often ineffective. Over-the-counter pesticides can also pose safety risks if not used properly.

Get Professional Help

It takes a pest control specialist to completely eliminate a cockroach infestation. Natura Pest Control offers free inspections inside and out, followed by a customized treatment plan tailored to your home. Once the infestation is resolved, we provide ongoing exterior treatments to prevent roaches from returning.

We use safe and effective natural products instead of harsh chemical pesticides. Call Natura Pest Control today to get rid of your cockroaches.