Yes, you should.
Why?
If there’s one cockroach in your home, chances are there are more lurking nearby. Of course, there’s a possibility that a single cockroach wandered into your house, and you caught it before it could start breeding.
But, realistically, cockroaches live in groups, and they reproduce fairly rapidly. Additionally, since they are nocturnal, they often hide in cracks and crevices, so seeing them when they’re most active is difficult. So, you should be concerned if you spot one cockroach in your home, as it could signal a probable roach infestation.
But, then again, these are all assumptions, and the only way to be sure is to put on your detective gear and inspect your home for cockroaches.
Discovering if there are more
First, it’s essential to note that cockroaches are a common problem in many households, and they aren’t necessarily a sign of a dangerous hygiene problem. So, your worries shouldn’t be a cause for panic.
Now, to discover if more roaches are lurking around, look for potential hiding places. Since cockroaches love hiding in dark spots, you’re sure to find them in out-of-reach areas such as underneath the refrigerator, in trash cans, and the back of kitchen cabinets. Roaches also love living close to food and water sources. This makes your kitchen the first area to search.
During your search, look for tell-tale signs such as:
• Cockroach feces – Roaches poop a lot, and their droppings usually look like coffee grounds or pepper-like specks.
• Skin casks – Baby cockroaches shed their skins often during their growth, so watch out for brown casks around your home.
• Egg cases – Roaches produce egg cases instead of laying eggs. These cases contain numerous eggs, allowing them to breed rapidly.
These clues can give you a rough idea of how many cockroaches you have in your home, allowing you to access the level of the problem.
How many is too many?
According to experts, seeing one to five cockroaches in a day indicates a light infestation, while more than twenty roaches signal a heavy infestation. However, spotting one cockroach is enough to tell you that you have a pest infestation problem.
Waiting to see two or more roaches before you take action is the last thing you want to do, as these pests breed quickly. Before you know it, you’ll have a colony living in your home and infecting your stored food. Therefore, whether you have a light, moderate, or full-blown infestation, immediate extermination is your best course of action.
There are two ways to eliminate cockroaches in your home – naturally and chemically. The natural method involves sealing cracks, holes, vents, screens, and regular cleaning and decluttering. But, if the gravity of the infestation is significant, you’re better off using chemicals to exterminate the roaches. Some of the most common chemical methods include:
• Residual or non-residual sprays
• Insecticides
• Insecticidal dust
To ensure your and your family’s safety, hire a professional for the chemical application.