Spotted a Dead Roach in Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Do!

With cockroaches affecting 14 million households across the United States, sooner or later you might end up seeing a dead roach. If that is why you are here, you need to understand what this means for your home and how to deal with the possibility of an infestation. So, do you know what steps you need to take now and what changes you need to make to your home?

This article will go into detail on how a single dead roach can be an indicator of a much worse threat. As you read on, discover how to rid your home of roaches for good, or get someone else to do it for you.

What Does a Dead Roach Mean?

Spotting a single roach in your home is, unfortunately, rarely the end of the story. It is much more likely you have a deep cockroach infestation that has not reared its head yet.

These creatures are very hardy, and can often adapt to many environments, including the dark of your kitchen cupboards. It is very likely that, due to the fast cockroach reproduction cycle, two cockroaches can turn into thousands in a very short space of time.

Because cockroaches are nocturnal, you may not even know the true number of them that exist. The fact you have seen one during the day is, if anything, a stroke of luck that can allow you to take action.

The Dangers of Roaches in Your Home

Not taking action on the appearance of roaches might seem like a “live and let live” option, but they can have a real impact on your home.

Cockroach droppings, for example, can often trigger allergies in many people. For those who suffer from asthma, this can be even worse and could cause serious respiratory issues.

These creatures are also known for eating any food they can gain access to. This leaves behind dangerous bacteria that can lead to you or your family becoming ill. To avoid this in the short term, try to put all your loose foods, such as cereals or oats, into sealed containers until you resolve the cockroach problem.

How to Get Rid of Roaches

To deal with roaches long-term, you need to understand that you cannot target only the living creatures you currently see. You also need to find and eradicate their hatcheries and areas where they congregate. Your approach will depend on your confidence and ability to take action in your home.

DIY Methods

There are many different ways you can attempt to eradicate a cockroach infestation. Though, you should always be aware that without dedicated equipment and training, there is always a chance you will not complete the task. Regardless, the following methods are well-known for reducing cockroach populations.

Many shops sell cockroach bait or traps that can draw cockroaches to them. This will not only allow you to contain the creatures, but can also lure them into specific areas of your home for you to focus on exterminating them.

Another option is to place specific scents in areas of your home you wish the cockroaches not to go into. These can include:

• Bay leaves
• Coffee grounds
• Cucumber peels
• Vinegar
• Pepper spray
• Essential oils

This list is not exhaustive, and many insects will not go close to strong smells such as these for many reasons. So, use them to your advantage to keep these creatures out of areas they could do the most harm.

You could also buy boric acid powder and pour it into cracks where you believe cockroaches to be. This will dry out the cockroaches, either killing them or causing them to scatter from the hole. This makes it easier to notice them and remove them from your home, or at least prevents them from entering specific areas.

Much like boric acid, you could also use diatomaceous earth (DE). This fine powder also kills off cockroaches, as its razor-sharp surface will cause physical harm to the insect.

If you use boric acid or DE, though, ensure you study and follow the instructions on the container to ensure your personal safety. These chemicals are potentially harmful if used the wrong way, or if not cleaned up after use.

Hire a Professional

If you have a large infestation, or you do not feel comfortable or safe dealing with cockroaches yourself, you might be better off calling an expert. Many pest control specialists understand the ins and outs of how to remove such creatures from your home for good.

A professional infestation remover will make a detailed inspection of your home one of the first things they do. During this process, they will try to uncover the full extent of any infestation, as well as find places the roaches are likely to congregate. They will then use safe methods to clear these creatures out of your home without causing harm to you or your pets.

In the case that they need to remove you from the area for a short time, for your safety, they will work to ensure your furnishings do not come to harm.

Prevent Further Sightings

To make sure the cockroaches do not come back, there are a few things you can do.

First of all, you should try to seal up any cracks in the wall or floors of your home. This will prevent any new creatures from gaining entry.

You also want to make sure to vacuum or otherwise clean your home regularly. Food debris and other sources of nutrition will attract many different types of tiny visitors. So, make sure your house is never enticing to such beings.

Ensure You Never See a Dead Roach Again

The above steps should be everything you need to do to ensure that one dead roach does not turn into a much larger problem in the future. Still, you might be at a loss for what you can do, or you might not feel comfortable clearing out your home yourself. This is where we can help.

We are pest control veterans with many years of experience ensuring houses are safe from such infestations. So, ask about our free inspections and discover how we can help you feel comfortable in your own home.