Cockroaches are a pest that can strike fear and disgust into the hearts of many, and truthfully, this isn’t an overreaction. These pests are some of the most dangerous and filthy insects to have around your home, and even though people know they can be gross, the problems they cause are often underestimated. Knowing the early signs of cockroaches in your Lubbock home can help you remove them faster, and this guide is here to help you do just that.
What Do Cockroaches Look Like?
Cockroaches are long and oval-shaped with wings that lay flat on their backs, although they rarely fly. They have six legs and a pair of antennae, and their heads are small compared to their bodies.
One of the most common species in the area is the German cockroach. These roaches are less than an inch long and brown with two black stripes that run parallel behind their heads. Another common species is the American cockroach. This reddish-brown species is significantly larger, growing up to three inches long. Lastly, there’s the Oriental cockroach that loves damp environments. They fall between the other two in size and are jet black with a rather beetle-like appearance.
But, while knowing how cockroaches look is useful, there are some other signs of their presence that often appear before seeing the actual roaches. Knowing these can help you identify and remove a cockroach infestation before it spreads throughout your home.
Signs Of Cockroaches To Watch For
In order to protect your home from cockroaches, these are some of the specific signs of their presence and activity:
- Finding brown stains around furniture, walls, or appliances. These smear marks are actually cockroach excrement.
- Discovering small cockroach droppings that are dark brown.
- Smelling a strange musty odor that wasn’t there before.
- Seeing egg capsules that are a white to brown color depending on their age.
- Noting discarded cockroach skins around the house.
Why Cockroaches Are Dangerous To Have Around
While you likely know that cockroaches are considered unsanitary, it’s worth noting the many dangers they can bring and why they shouldn’t be underestimated. Cockroaches are known to carry 35 different diseases such as dysentery, typhoid fever, and salmonella. They often get into food items and spread these pathogens to what you’re going to eat.
On top of this, cockroaches are also some of the most invasive pests known to humankind. They reproduce quickly, and they can hide in many places you wouldn’t even consider looking. Cockroaches are often found inside of holes in the walls or under appliances. They also love items such as cardboard and will live behind wall decorations or inside boxes in closets. Plus, they are resistant to many pesticides, so effective cockroach control is rarely achieved using DIY methods.
What To Do If You Spot Cockroaches
If you’ve noticed any of the signs of cockroaches mentioned in this guide, the safest way to protect your home is with help from the pest control professionals at EnviroGuard. Instead of struggling with these dangerous pests to no avail, let our technicians help. We offer reliable cockroach control services that can eradicate an infestation and also keep them from returning.
All you need to do is give us a call to get started and request a quote or inspection.