Cockroaches are one of the most common household pests on the Gulf Coast. Our warm, humid climate is perfect for species like the German cockroach, American cockroach (palmetto bug), and smoky brown cockroach. Because roaches are primarily nocturnal, you can have a significant infestation before you ever see one.
Cockroach droppings look like small black pepper flakes or coffee grounds (German cockroaches) or small dark cylinders (American cockroaches). Check behind appliances, under sinks, inside cabinets, and along baseboards. The quantity of droppings is a good indicator of infestation severity.
Large cockroach infestations produce a distinctive musty, oily smell. If you notice an unusual odor in your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room that you can't identify, cockroaches could be the source. The smell comes from pheromones they use to communicate.
Cockroach egg cases (called oothecae) are small, dark brown, purse-shaped capsules. German cockroach egg cases contain 30-40 eggs each. Finding even one egg case means there's an active breeding population in your home.
Cockroaches molt multiple times as they grow. Finding translucent, cockroach-shaped skins around your home is a sign of an established population. Look behind furniture, in closets, and in other undisturbed areas.
If you're seeing cockroaches during daylight hours, you likely have a serious infestation. Roaches are nocturnal and only venture out during the day when the population is so large that they're being pushed out of hiding spots by competition.
Over-the-counter sprays and baits may kill individual roaches but rarely eliminate an infestation. Professional treatment targets the colony at its source. EnSec's quarterly pest control program includes cockroach treatment and prevention.
Suspect you have cockroaches? Call EnSec at 850-821-2215 for a free inspection.
The most common signs are pepper-like or small cylindrical droppings, a musty oily odor, purse-shaped egg cases (oothecae), shed skins, and seeing roaches during the day.
Cockroaches are nocturnal, so daytime sightings usually mean the population is large enough that competition is pushing them out of hiding — a sign of a serious infestation.
Large infestations give off a distinctive musty, oily odor that comes from the pheromones cockroaches use to communicate.
Over-the-counter sprays and baits kill individual roaches but rarely eliminate an infestation. Professional treatment targets the colony at its source and includes ongoing prevention.
EnSec Pest & Lawn has been protecting Gulf Coast homes since 1997. Get a free estimate today.
