It's a dark day in any homeowner's life when they discover a pest infestation, but none truly compare to a cockroach infestation. These nocturnal scavengers aren't just dirty, they're dangerous to have around your Auburn home:
- Salmonella
- Dysentery
- E. Coli
- Severe allergic reactions
- Asthma triggers; causes development of asthma in children
- Can create extra moisture damage around your home
There are plenty of reasons why they could be in your Auburn home and even more reasons for why you should get rid of them, but how can you truly tell if you have an infestation?
Local Cockroaches Known For Infesting
Worldwide, there are over four thousand different species of cockroaches, and 55 of those species reside in the United States. Thankfully, most of those species don't really do the whole domestic infestation scene. There are four different species in Auburn that will happily take up residence in the darkened corners of your abode, though:
- Oriental Cockroach
- Smoky Brown Cockroach
- Asian Cockroach
- German Cockroach
Each of these species has its own distinctive characteristics, but all of them have at least somewhat similar appearances; flat, oval-shaped bodies, two long antennae, and six legs. Some are winged, while others aren't. Their sizes range from ½ of an inch to two inches long, and their coloring can be light brown, reddish-brown, dark brown, and even black. Given their nocturnal and reclusive nature, it can be difficult to discover an infestation, so what signs do you need to be on the lookout for?
Sign #1: Droppings
If you're a living creature, you leave behind waste, and that's no different for cockroaches. Depending on the species, this fecal matter could look like small piles of ground pepper or coffee grounds, or it could look very similar to mouse pellets. In the event of mouse-like droppings, it's always best to consult a pest professional to determine the true culprit.
Sign #2: Smear Marks
To be fair, these do qualify as a type of excrement. The difference is, smear marks are left behind when there's an excessive amount of moisture in the home. Excessive moisture could be as simple as dealing with extra humidity from showers, the washer and dishwasher, and even forgetting to clean up a water spill. It could also mean you have an underlying leak in your pipes, though, and extensive water damage is costly to fix.
Sign #3: Egg Capsules
Egg capsules are reddish to dark brown, and they're often mistaken for large seeds or spilled beans. Finding them in your Auburn home means they've been in your house long enough to reproduce, and finding multiple egg capsules means you're about to have an even worse problem on your hands. These capsules can hold between 10-60 eggs at a time.
Sign #4: Shed Skin
Cockroach nymphs will shed their skin up to six times before they've fully matured. This means that cockroaches have been in your home long enough to reproduce successfully and possibly even grow to maturity. This sign usually means you have a pretty bad cockroach infestation on your hands.
Sign #5: Musky Odor
A bad enough cockroach infestation will create an awful odor in your Auburn home. Cockroaches secrete a hormone in their excrement that has a pungent, musky odor, and if it's an overwhelming infestation, that smell will seep into everything. It's also a siren call for other cockroaches to invade, leading to a bigger and even worse infestation.
Sign #6: Live Cockroaches
Cockroaches are reclusive, nocturnal insects. Seeing one during daylight hours is definitely not a welcome sign, because it often means there's no more room for them to hide. Having cockroaches scurrying about during the day is the biggest indicator that you have an out-of-control cockroach infestation in your Auburn home.
If you're at any of these stages of discovery, don't delay in calling the professionals. These pests are dangerous to have, and our pest experts at Prewett Pest Control know exactly how to handle them. We take a more modern approach to the pest control business, using cutting-edge technology in our cockroach treatments and services, and we're so customer-forward that you can even order your pest control completely online. So get in contact with us today, and kiss your cockroach problems goodbye.