Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures that prefer to stay hidden, often making an infestation difficult to detect until it has taken hold. However, they do leave behind some telling signs. If you notice any of the following symptoms in and around your home, it may be time to call a professional pest control service like Hanner's Pest Control:

Cockroach Sightings
Aside from seeing cockroaches in daylight due to an overcrowded situation, you may also notice smaller and possibly younger nymphs, which suggest that eggs have recently hatched and potentially signal a breeding population within your home. Moreover, frequent sightings of cockroaches in areas like kitchen counters, bathroom floors, or basements indicate high activity levels. If you see cockroaches scurrying away upon entering a room or turning on a light, it's likely that multiple nesting sites exist and immediate action is required.

Cockroach Droppings
The feces of cockroaches can also stain the surfaces on which they are deposited, which may require extensive cleaning, and their presence can contaminate food surfaces leading to foodborne illnesses. Additionally, as the infestation grows, the quantity of droppings will increase, and you may begin to find these excrement piles near potential food sources or in sheltered areas like under the fridge or stove. Because cockroach droppings can carry various pathogens, it's crucial to address any infestations before they worsen and pose a significant health risk.

Egg Casings
The resilience of roach egg casings can make them hard to eradicate once they've been deposited; they can be resistant to many over-the-counter pesticides. Uncovering these egg casings in your home is a glaring sign that the pests are reproducing on-site and an infestation might spread rapidly. Furthermore, each of these egg casings can contain dozens of future cockroaches, which is why seeing even a few casings can indicate a soon-to-be worsening problem.

Unpleasant Odors
The pheromones produced by cockroaches can attract other roaches, leading to a larger infestation. Additionally, the more cockroaches present, the stronger and more detectable the odor will become, which could also seep into and taint food and other materials with which they come into contact. This scent may also linger on dishes and utensils, making kitchen hygiene a growing concern.

Cockroach Smears
These smear marks are not only signs of cockroach activity but can contain harmful bacteria that cockroaches carry with them as they roam from place to place. Regular cleaning routines may not be effective against these smear marks since cockroaches tend to crawl into small, often overlooked spaces that are not cleaned as frequently. Additionally, the amount of smearing can indicate the level of infestation; more smears usually mean more cockroaches.

Damage to Items in the Home
Recognizing suspicious damage to various household items can be challenging, but it's not uncommon to find chewed-up goods that alert you to a cockroach presence. The damage may not be limited to just food-related items; personal belongings like books and clothing can also be affected. Furthermore, cockroaches are especially drawn to any items that may have food residue, such as empty soft drink containers or dirty dishes, so their presence can also indicate lapses in house cleanliness.

Having a robust understanding of these signs can help homeowners catch an infestation in its early stages, which is why Hanner's Pest Control emphasizes education on these key indicators while providing superior pest eradication services. If you notice any of these signs, don't delay in seeking professional help. An untreated cockroach infestation can multiply rapidly and pose serious health risks. Hanner's Pest Control is well-equipped to tackle cockroach infestations of any severity. We'll conduct a thorough inspection to confirm the presence of cockroaches, identify the type of cockroach, and develop a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan.