How To Spot Early Warning Signs Of Cockroaches In Your Tupelo Home

You might think that seeing cockroaches is how you'll know you have cockroaches in your Tupelo home, but most pest cockroaches don't like to be seen. Not only are they nocturnal insects, but the vast majority of roaches also stay hidden, even when it is dark. If you want to catch cockroaches early, you need to be aware of the warning signs.

Sickness

Some cockroach species are filthy. These insects are drawn to rotting organic matter and feces. Contact with these dirty things causes roaches to become contaminated with microorganisms, some of which are harmful to humans. If stomach illness is common in your home, you may have a roach infestation. 

Droppings Or Streaks

When cockroaches explore your home, they leave evidence in the form of black-colored droppings and streaks. You can find these droppings in the places cockroaches prefer to explore, such as dark voids, crevices, and humid spaces. Here are a few places to check first.

• In the cabinets under your kitchen or bathroom sinks.
• Behind, under, and on the sides of appliances, such as your oven or fridge.
• Under or behind your washer or dryer.
• Behind objects in your pantry.
• On your insulation in your attic.

Unpleasant Aroma

One of the ways cockroaches communicate with each other is by excreting chemicals. These chemicals (called pheromones) have a scent to them. If you notice something doesn't smell quite right, it could be cockroaches. Some Tupelo cockroaches are stinkier than others. The worse the smell, the larger your infestation is likely to be. But this isn't always the case.

Shed Skins

As cockroaches develop, they shed their skins many times—sometimes as many as thirteen times. They do this in concealed locations. Look in tight spaces and compressed areas to find these skins.

Egg Cases Or Casings

The egg casing of a cockroach is called an ootheca, and oothecae may be found in many places within your home. The first place to look is outside your home. Inspect the bottoms of your trash bins, or the damp space underneath your trash bins. Inspect any area that has high moisture and rotting organic matter.

When searching for oothecae inside your home, look in humid spaces. Some locations are more inviting to cockroaches than others. One to consider is damp cardboard. If you have items stored in cardboard boxes in a humid space, this is a good place to inspect first.

When looking for oothecae, you may not see the cases. You may only see the casings. When the cockroach eggs inside an ootheca hatch, the case is broken and the husk of the case is left for you to find.

Holes

Cockroaches chew on many things. They may nibble on an area of wallpaper. They may nibble on clothing in storage. If roaches get into your pantry, you could see holes in your cardboard or paper food packages. While holes won't let you know conclusively that you have a cockroach infestation, seeing them can alert you to a pest issue, and lead to a detailed inspection of your home.

A Neighboring Home Has Roaches

If you hear that your neighbor is having trouble with cockroaches, this is the best warning sign of all. The roaches that are plaguing your neighbor could already be plaguing you, but there is a chance that you haven't been infested yet. This might give you time to take steps to prevent cockroaches around your Tupelo home. Here are a few tips.

• Address moist conditions around your home. There are a few key ways you can do this. Clean your gutters or have them cleaned by a professional. Repair breaks in your gutter system. Repair leaking spigots and other plumbing issues. Trim your landscape vegetation to let the airflow through. Water your plant in the early morning.
• Address organic clutter. If you have leaf litter or leaf piles, these can be a catalyst for cockroach issues inside your home. Blow those leaves out of your landscaping and rake them up from your lawn.
• Address hiding places. Cockroaches hide inside piles of wood and stone, and take refuge underneath objects you store in your yard. Move piles of objects away from your home and remove any objects from your yard that don't need to be there.
• If you have a dog, be sure to stay on top of waste cleanup.
• Make sure your exterior trash is bagged and stored in covered containers.
• Do a detailed inspection of your exterior and seal any potential entry points. Pay close attention to moisture points, such as the area where your water main enters your home. Be sure to also do a thorough inspection of your exterior doors.

When You Spot Roach Activity

If you see signs of cockroach activity, remember that McCary Pest Control is always standing by to assist you with correcting pest problems. We can help. Reach out to us today for immediate assistance.