Although it’s a popular myth, cockroaches aren’t 300 million years old, but some species do date back about 50 million years! There are about 4,500 species of cockroaches today, of which four are well known as common pests. 

If you live in a house or apartment almost anywhere in the world, chances are you’ve seen a cockroach. They’re more than simple pests. Cockroaches spread diseases such as typhoid fever, dysentery, and cholera. 

Do you have a cockroach problem in your home? Keep reading for information about signs of cockroaches. 

Do You Smell an Unusual Odor?

Like any creature, cockroaches leave feces. The droppings are small but they contain pheromones attractive to other cockroaches. This causes other cockroaches to gather near the droppings. 

The odor is unpleasant and musty. If your home has a musty smell for no clear reason, it could be a cockroach problem. Speaking of cockroach feces…

Do You See Strange Droppings?

Do you see areas on the floor that look like spilled coffee grounds or pepper? If you know you haven’t dropped anything, you could be looking at cockroach droppings. 

Do you suspect cockroach droppings? Be aware that the droppings can contain pathogens so exercise caution when cleaning. Wear gloves and use an antibacterial spray and disposable cloths. 

Strange Smear Marks

Do you have unidentified, irregularly-shaped dark smear marks on your walls? When cockroaches crawl, they leave these marks, especially near floor-wall junctions. This is because they’re active in these areas. 

Property Damage

Cockroaches eat almost anything. That includes packaging, book pages, and even leather. Don’t leave unused old packing boxes in your basement or attic, since that attracts cockroaches. 

If you see unidentifiable chew marks on cardboard, books, or furniture, it could signal cockroaches. 

Old Cockroach Skins

A cockroach sheds its skin as much as eight times as it grows to adulthood. If you’ve got cockroaches in the house, you’ll see shed skins. 

Eggs

Another sign you’ve got cockroaches is a capsule full of eggs. The capsules (oothecae) vary depending on the type of roach. Some cockroach capsules have up to 18 segments while others have no segmentation. 

The German cockroach doesn’t drop its capsule but instead carries it until it’s time for hatching. Upon hatching, it releases about 30-40 nymphs. 

Where You’ll Find Cockroaches

If you’ve got cockroaches, you’ll find them in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements. They also hide in drains. Look in cabinets, especially under sinks where it’s warm and moist. 

Cockroaches like the dark. If you turn on the lights suddenly in the kitchen at night, you can catch them scurrying across cabinets, walls, and floors if you’ve got a cockroach infestation. 

Cockroaches breed fast, so getting rid of roaches is crucial if you’ve got them in your home. 

Signs of Cockroaches in Your Home

Keep your eyes out for the above signs of cockroaches in your home. Cockroaches are more than pests since they carry and spread disease. Don’t let them wreak havoc in your home. 

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