What This Blog Covers
- Where cockroaches hide in your home and why they’re attracted to it
- Key signs of an infestation before it gets out of control
- Health risks and potential damage caused by cockroaches
- When and why to call a professional for thorough control
- Practical prevention tips to keep your home pest-free year-round
By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly what to look for and how to protect your home, family, and belongings from these unwelcome pests.
Where Cockroaches Hide and Why They Enter Your Home
In Georgia and South Carolina, the two most common indoor species are the American cockroach and the German cockroach. While they differ in size and appearance, they share similar habits:
- They prefer warm, dark, humid spaces.
- Inside homes, they’re often found under sinks, behind appliances, inside cabinets, along baseboards, in bathrooms, in kitchens, in laundry rooms, or near plumbing fixtures.
Cockroaches may move indoors for several reasons:
- Weather changes
Extreme heat, cold snap, and rainfall (or lack of rain) can drive them inside. - Food or water shortages outdoors
Your home may offer more reliable resources.
In cities like Acworth, Atlanta, or Greenville, roaches commonly take shelter in kitchens, laundry areas, or behind bathroom vanities where humidity and warmth are ideal.
Signs of a Cockroach Infestation
Cockroaches are nocturnal, but early detection is possible if you know what to look for:
Cockroach Droppings
German cockroach droppings are tiny dark specks resembling coffee grounds or pepper, while American roach droppings are longer and cylindrical in shape. Droppings from both species can be found under sinks, inside cabinets, behind appliances, or along baseboards.
Egg Casings (Oothecae)
An ootheca is the protective case that holds the eggs of a cockroach. German cockroaches carry the ootheca on their bodies until the eggs are nearly ready to hatch, which makes these cases more challenging to spot. On the other hand, American cockroaches typically drop their oothecae in hidden areas such as cracks, behind appliances, or under sinks. Spotting an ootheca, or noticing a female German cockroach with one, is a strong sign that the infestation is active and reproducing.
Shed Skins
As cockroaches develop, they go through several molting stages, shedding their exoskeletons to grow larger. These discarded skins often accumulate in the same places cockroaches hide.
Smear Marks or Stains
Cockroaches can leave behind greasy, brown streaks or smears as they travel along walls, baseboards, and other surfaces, particularly in damp, humid areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, or near plumbing fixtures. These marks are made up of body oils and feces. Even if you don’t see live roaches during the day, noticing these streaks can be an early warning sign of a hidden infestation.
Unpleasant Odor
Cockroaches produce chemicals, oils, and pheromones that can accumulate in areas where many roaches are living and traveling. In small or early infestations, this smell is generally not noticeable, which is why it’s considered a late-stage warning sign.
Live or Dead Roach Sightings
Spotting a cockroach, whether alive or dead, is one of the most apparent signs of an infestation. Because roaches are nocturnal creatures that usually hide during the day, seeing one in daylight often indicates that the population in your home is large enough to push them into more exposed areas. Even a single cockroach sighting shouldn’t be ignored, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms, as it usually indicates that more are hiding nearby.
Damage to Food Packaging or Materials
Cockroaches are not only scavengers but also chewers, and they often gnaw through materials to reach food or create hiding spots. This can result in holes or tears in cardboard boxes, paper products, and food packaging. Even sealed food can be contaminated if roaches manage to break through the packaging. For homeowners, noticing unexplained damage in pantries, cabinets, or storage areas can be a subtle yet telling sign of a hidden infestation.
Why Early Detection Matters
Left untreated, cockroaches can create real problems for homeowners, including the following:
- Health risks: Droppings and shed skins carry bacteria, pathogens, and allergens that may trigger asthma or cause illness, including food poisoning.
- Rapid reproduction: Egg casings allow populations to grow quickly
- Hidden damage: Contaminated food, damaged packaging, and chewed materials
Catching an infestation early saves time, money, and stress—and keeps your home healthier.
When to Call a Professional
If you notice any of the signs above, contact Bizzy Bee Exterminators right away. Even if you’re unsure whether it’s cockroaches, our local pest control pros can inspect your home, and if they find cockroach activity, implement a plan of action to exterminate these vile pests.
DIY treatments often fail to eliminate infestations. Our experts eradicate all roaches, including eggs, and provide ongoing pest treatments to ensure your home stays roach-free.
How to Prevent Cockroaches
The best way to keep your home free of cockroaches (and other house-infesting pests) is through a combination of preventive measures and professional, ongoing pest control. While there are steps you can take on your own, partnering with experts ensures infestations are stopped before they have a chance to start and keeps your home protected year-round.
- Keep your kitchen clean: Seal food, clean up crumbs and spills, secure pet food, wash dishes promptly, and take out trash regularly
- Reduce moisture and humidity: Fix leaks, ventilate damp areas, and eliminate standing water
- Remove clutter and paper: Minimize hiding places like cardboard boxes and paper bags
- Seal entry points: Close gaps around doors, windows, siding, and foundation
- Maintain your yard: Trim foliage, eliminate standing water, and ensure proper drainage
Contact Bizzy Bee Exterminators for assistance in keeping your home pest-free!
