A cockroach sighting in your home is never fun. Unfortunately, when you see one, it usually means there are more nearby. These nocturnal creatures are great at staying out of sight. They prefer dark, undisturbed corners of the home, so seeing one out in the open during the day often signals a larger infestation is present. If you spot roaches in your home, here’s what you should do:
Don’t Panic, But Don’t Ignore it Either
When people see a cockroach in their home, they usually do one of two things: brush it off as a one-time incident or sound all the alarms. While one cockroach doesn’t automatically mean a full-blown infestation is at play, it does mean you should take immediate steps. These pests reproduce fast, so what started as a small problem can spiral into a larger one within a matter of weeks. Don’t panic, but do plan to take action.
Try to Determine the Extent of the Problem
Before you can effectively tackle the problem, you need to know the extent of it. Check common hiding places, like under the sink, behind appliances, inside cabinets and along baseboards for signs of roaches. If you see multiple signs in multiple areas, you’re likely dealing with an established infestation rather than a single stray roach. These insects leave behind a few clues of their presence, including:
- Ground pepper-like droppings
- Musty odors
- Smear marks
- Egg casings
- Shed skins
Immediately Cut Off Food and Water Supply
Like many other types of pests, roaches are opportunists. They invade places where food, water and shelter are easy to come by. One of the first things to do is to make your home less welcoming. You can do this by immediately cleaning up food crumbs and sticky spills, securing trash, storing food and leftovers in airtight containers, and avoiding leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight. Fix leaky pipes and eliminate standing water in your home, as moisture is just as attractive to these creatures as food. These steps alone won’t eliminate an existing problem, but they can help prevent it from getting worse.
Try DIY Treatments Until the Pros Arrive
For a minor roach issue, there are some over-the-counter treatment options worth trying. Gel baits and bait stations behind appliances, inside cabinets and along baseboards are highly effective. They contain a sticky substance with poison that roaches carry back to their nests, attacking the infestation at its source. Whichever DIY method you try, remember that they’re most effective when combined with good sanitation and other preventative pest control measures. Also remember that they’re best used as a temporary measure until the pros arrive.
Call a Professional Pest Control Team for Help
DIY methods can be helpful for preventing the issue from growing into a larger one, but they’re usually not the most effective solution for eradicating an infestation. If you’re still noticing roaches after trying to get rid of the problem yourself, bringing in a pest control team is your best bet. Professional technicians have the knowledge and tools to find the source of the problem and apply targeted treatments to eliminate it. On top of that, they implement preventative measures to protect your home from these pests returning.
Have you spotted cockroaches in your home? Contact the Omaha pest control pros at Pro-Staff for help by requesting a free quote online or calling us at (402) 819-7378.
