Do You Have a Roach Infestation…
Winter is here and all seems still and calm. No annoying mosquitoes buzzing in our ears, no ants climbing across our counters, not even a fly to land on our baked goods! Just when we think we’re going to get a bug break, we begin to see them…everywhere.
Cockroaches can be seen climbing through our kitchen cupboards, across our bathroom walls, and in our basements where darkness and moisture can be abundant.
If they can survive the radiation from a nuclear blast, guess what…winter isn’t going to faze them!
We know better than anyone else how much of an inconvenience cockroaches can be, which is why we want to help you spot infestations and potentially stop cockroaches from making your house their home. Join AAA Exterminating, a pest control company in Indianapolis with more than 65 years of experience, as we detail how to curb a cockroach’s interest in your home.
First Things First, Do I Have a Cockroach Infestation?
“If you build it, they will come” …we’re not talking about a baseball diamond, we’re talking about your home!
Cockroaches have no problem making what’s yours, theirs, but how do you know if you have a serious infestation? Look at these tell-tale signs below!
#1 Is That Cockroach Poop?
Not the most glamorous topic, but cockroaches eat everything from plant matter to our food to garbage, which means they produce a lot of feces. Since not all cockroaches are the same, their feces can take on many forms. Some cockroach feces appear as tiny, blackish/brown flecks. Other feces can appear as big brown stains or oval-shaped pellets.
You’ll most likely find cockroach feces behind kitchen appliances, in cupboards and below sinks, and other areas where food is stored.
#2 Please Tell Me Those Aren’t Roach Eggs…
Cockroaches don’t lay clusters of eggs, instead, their eggs are secured in a brown, oblong casing called an ootheca. Inside each ootheca, there are typically 10-20 eggs, yet the German cockroach can produce an ootheca with up to 50 eggs inside. You will generally find leftover ootheca casings in hard-to-reach areas like wall cracks, within pantries, or in household objects like books. The presence of oothecas can be a good indication that you have a cockroach infestation.
#3 What’s That Smell?
As if the feces and the oothecas weren’t bad enough, cockroaches tend to emit a smell. Their smell is distinguishable and is marked by a pungent, musty order. When cockroaches die, oleic acid is produced that can cause this musty smell.
Okay, so You Think You Have a Cockroach Infestation…How Do You Avoid Further Problems?
Once cockroaches take hold of your home, the most effective remedy is to hire a pest control company in Indianapolis to come treat your home—further preventing an infestation. Though there are steps you can take before an infestation to protect your home like…
#1 Frequently Clean Your Home
Cockroaches are attracted to food, odors, trash, and areas of excess moisture within your home. To help prevent an infestation, constantly wipe down areas (especially in the kitchen) and remove your trash frequently. If you have leaking pipes, make sure to seal them to cut off water supplies for roaches.
#2 Store Food in Sealed Containers
Roaches are excellent at fitting into extremely tight spaces, so food should also be kept in air-tight, secure containers. Pet food should be stored similarly, and pet bowls should be emptied and cleaned every night.
#3 Seal Entry Points to Your Home
To stop cockroaches from entering your home, all entrances should be secure. This means repairing window gaps and mending holes in screens, placing weather stripping around doors, and sealing external cracks in your home.
#4 Remove Roach Shelters
Roaches tend to hide in common household objects like paper, cardboard, and boxes. For those with basements and attics, you should store things in plastic containers with tight lids to prevent roaches from making their homes.
I’ve Tried Everything…What Next?
Need help with your roach infestation? The Exterminators at AAA Exterminating have over 65 years of experience dealing with household pests like cockroaches—they’re even an Angie’s List 2018 Super Service Award winner!
For help with your cockroach infestation, call (317) 773-3797 for rapid help.