Photo: Snapwire

What to do if you see a cockroach?

Natural Cockroach Control Food-grade diatomaceous earth is safe for people and pets (though you should take care not to breathe it) but lethal to cockroaches. Sprinkling this around areas you suspect they're hiding is a good way to eliminate some of them.

cockroachfacts.com - I Saw One Cockroach. Should I Be Worried?

How long can u satisfy a woman?

The average therapists' responses defined the ranges of intercourse activity times: "adequate," from three to seven minutes; "desirable," from...

Last updated Nov 10, 2020

What language did Jesus speak?

Aramaic Most religious scholars and historians agree with Pope Francis that the historical Jesus principally spoke a Galilean dialect of Aramaic....

Last updated May 25, 2022

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Cockroach Facts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It’s a common question, one that’s both horrifying and well – sort of bravely optimistic:

“I saw one cockroach. Should I be worried?”

So should you? Should you be worried? Honestly, you probably should be.

But if there really is a problem, you’ll know how to handle it. Because by the end of this short 5 minute read, you’ll know exactly what to do if you see a cockroach. Need Product Recommendations? A handful of easy-to-use products can solve most cockroach problems. See Below

Is It Possible to Have Just One Cockroach?

Seriously, is it possible to have just one cockroach in a home or apartment? Sure. It could be a loner of some sort, or the last of its colony, or even a cockroach scout. It could even be a hapless, relatively harmless wood roach that got carried in along with the firewood – a bug that never wanted to be in your home in the first place. But without proof, those would be some pretty risky assumptions. Cockroaches are nocturnal so you don’t see them when they’re most active, they rarely live alone, several species will actively try to infest your home – and there are consequences for making a wrong or overly-slow decision. Having found one cockroach in your house or apartment, how do you know if it’s the only one or an actual cockroach problem? By putting on your detective gear and inspecting the scene for clues – particularly for where they hide, and the evidence they leave behind.

Discovering if There are More

Hiding is one of the things that cockroaches do quite well. There are lots of things that want to kill or eat them, and they know they’re safer if predators (like you) never even know that they’re around. So to begin to understand what you’re dealing with, you need to find those potential hiding places, and you need to look for signs. Do you have to turn your house upside down to find them? No. You only need to know what to look for and where to start your search.

Finding Their Hiding Spots

So, where do roaches hide?

It’s probably no surprise that cockroaches prefer dark, out-of-reach places. After all, they’re more afraid of you than you are of them! But most home-infesting roaches typically live pretty close to food and water sources, and you’ll want to hunt these down. Poke around the back of kitchen cabinets and underneath refrigerators. Look in trash cans and behind pet food bowls. Look underneath sinks in the kitchen and bathroom and carry a flashlight to the basement where roaches might be hiding around leaking pipes. As you explore, don’t underestimate their ability to hide in tiny, out-of-sight places. German cockroaches and other small species can squeeze through tiny holes and live anywhere from sink drains to gaps beneath the floor.

Recognizing the Signs

Sometimes, you have more than intuition to go on in your search for creepy crawlies–sometimes, you have evidence.

Roach Droppings

One roach infestation indicator is feces. Roaches leave tiny droppings in the areas they frequent. That’s gross—and it’s one of the reasons they’re dangerous. Cockroach droppings look like tiny black specks. If enough roaches are present, their droppings can look like crushed pepper or scattered coffee grounds. The amount of feces you find is a good indicator of the size of the roach infestation.

Cockroach Body Parts

Roaches leave body parts of every kind behind. As young or baby roaches grow, they slough off their old, outgrown exoskeletons. You may find these entirely intact, or in bits and pieces after other cockroaches have fed on them. Cockroaches also simply die of course, and other roaches readily eat their bodies, leaving body parts, bits of wings, and antennae in areas in your home.

Cockroach Eggs

A rarer piece of evidence is an egg case. Cockroach egg cases are typically about 1/4 inch long or smaller and brown or reddish-brown. Cockroaches take special care when hiding them, so you’re unlikely to find them without some serious sleuthing. Adult female roaches hide egg cases in cracks, crevices and, sometimes, inside cardboard boxes. Some species such as the brown banded cockroach also stick them to walls, and if it’s a brown banded roach you’re dealing with, you’ll want to look on the tops of picture frames, and in areas closer to the ceiling.

Where should you not put your bed?

Where You Shouldn't Place Your Bed According To Feng Shui No Beds Under Beams. Don't hang anything massive above your bed because this creates...

Last updated Aug 2, 2021

How long should a 10K last?

Average time Most runners who are reasonably fit and clock 15–30 miles per week can expect to finish a 10K race in 50–70 minutes. More advanced...

Last updated Dec 16, 2022

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

It’s also possible that you’ll start to smell cockroaches in your home. As the roach problem grows, you might notice a sharp, oily odor. If you start to sense this kind of musty smell, don’t ignore it. It’s a good signal that they’re nearby and also a warning that there are probably more than one. By following these clues, you can start to narrow down their potential hiding places and begin to assess the actual level of the problem. You won’t have to actually find more roaches to know if something needs to be done. Finding signs of their presence will be enough. If you’ve found those, the next step is to begin a thorough pest management plan. You’ll use a combination of baits, liquid pesticides and preventative measures to eliminate roaches and keep them out.

Insecticides and Other Chemical Cockroach Killers

Comprehensive cockroach control involves more than scrambling for the bug-killer spray any time you happen to spot one. You’re savvier than that. You’ll use strategy, perseverance and the knowledge you now have about cockroaches’ habits and habitats to target them efficiently.

Cockroach control products come in several forms:

Traps Baits Insecticidal Dusts Residual sprays Non-Residual Sprays Perimeter treatments

A few roaches probably doesn’t warrant a full-on chemical assault. That’s a lot of work for a problem that’s potentially very small. Instead, consider starting with roach traps. A few strategically placed traps can help you diagnose the size of the problem and find its epicenter. Cockroach baits contain insecticides that kill roaches after they’ve gone back to their hiding place and, ideally, spread the poison to other roaches. In combination with a residual spray, which can kill on contact, baits can effectively reduce a cockroach population without requiring too much work on your part. If you’re worried you’re facing a cockroach infestation on the larger end of the scale, it’s probably a better idea to call a professional pest control service than to take on the problem yourself. A professional can treat your whole home with a perimeter spray and better target cockroach habitats indoors and outdoors. To Find Cockroach Hiding Spots and Kill Them Fast When You Have Just a Few

Recommended for all cockroaches

Exterminator’s Choice Sticky Glue Traps Used to measure and monitor a cockroach infestation and provide some supplemental control. Check Price on Amazon BASF PT P.I. Contact Insecticide P.I. is a pyrethrin-based spray insecticide that kills roaches fast. Best when used as a supplement to other treatments, it’s not inexpensive, but far more effective than off-the-shelf sprays. Check Price on Amazon

To Kill Cockroaches Inside Your Home When You Have a Serious Problem

Recommended for German cockroaches and Brown banded cockroaches, as well as American cockroaches (Palmetto bugs, Water bugs, Tree roaches, Sewer roaches), and Oriental cockroaches when they enter in large numbers. HARRIS Diatomaceous Earth Powder Duster Insecticidal dusts like CimeXa work best when applied with a duster tool. This inexpensive diatomaceous earth duster works fine with CimeXa, Delta Dust, and other recommended dusts. Check Price on Amazon Syngenta Advion Cockroach Gel Bait Advion first poisons the roaches that eat it, then others in a secondary kill. For the most effective indoor treatment, combine with CimeXa insecticidal dust and Gentrol IGR. Check Price on Amazon Gentrol Point Source IGR Gentrol is an insect growth regulator (IGR) that interferes with roach reproduction. It’s most effective used alongside Advion Gel Bait and CimeXa insecticidal dust. Check Price on Amazon

To Kill Cockroaches Outdoors Before They Have a Chance to Get Inside

Recommended for American cockroaches (Palmetto bugs, Water bugs, Tree roaches, Sewer roaches), Oriental cockroaches, and Smokybrown cockroaches. Bayer Polyzone Suspend Insecticide When used on exterior foundations, entries, and walls, Suspend insecticidal liquid stops outdoor roaches before they get in. It requires a separate sprayer (see below), and works best alongside a granular outdoor bait like Intice and an outdoor crack and crevice treatment like Delta Dust. Check Price on Amazon Chapin 1 Gallon Multi-Purpose Sprayer Liquid pesticides require a separate sprayer. This inexpensive pump sprayer works fine for smaller jobs. Check Price on Amazon

Which zodiac loves money?

Capricorn For this Earth sign to be able to expose their hearts, they must always feel financially secure. Capricorns are willing to give up short-...

Last updated Dec 20, 2020

What is the most valuable rare penny?

Here's a rundown of 10 of the most expensive pennies made since 1900: 1931-S Lincoln Cent: $65 to $100+ ... 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent: $125,000+ ......

Last updated May 24, 2019

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

InTice Perimeter Insect Control Bait Granules InTice is a granular bait that kills roaches outdoors and in spaces like your garage or attic. Used alongside a spray treatment like Bayer Suspend and a crack and crevice treatment like Delta Dust, it can protect the entire perimeter of your home. Check Price on Amazon Delta Dust Insecticide Dust Waterproof and long-lasting, Delta Dust is a crack and crevice treatment effective in high-moisture areas such as attics, exterior walls, and plumbing lines. Delta Dust is regulated and unavailable in some areas. Check Price on Amazon

Natural Cockroach Control

There are a few natural ways to kill cockroaches, too.

Food-grade diatomaceous earth is safe for people and pets (though you should take care not to breathe it) but lethal to cockroaches. Sprinkling this around areas you suspect they’re hiding is a good way to eliminate some of them. You can also mix boric acid and sugar to make a mixture that’s a natural bait and insecticide.

Preventative Measures: How to Keep Roaches Out

You might be asking yourself, why did that cockroach you saw have to pick your house? In all likelihood, it’s nothing you did. The cockroach only came in for its basic survival needs: food, water and shelter. Finding a cockroach in your house doesn’t necessarily mean your home is dirty. That said, it won’t hurt to be a little more deliberate in your cleaning routine after you’ve found a roach. Eliminating food sources is an effective way to keep them away. You can also make a few external changes—such as clearing piles of sticks and leaves and organizing boxes in the garage—to keep cockroaches outside. Oh, and always keep windows covered with screens if you like to leave them open, especially at night. Many flying cockroaches are attracted to lights and they’ll fly straight through an open window to get to your living room lights. These simple preventative measures can make a big difference in your cockroach control efforts.

Conclusion

You saw one cockroach; should you be worried?

It’s important to pay attention to the evidence and do a careful inspection before you start fearing the worst. Try to find their hiding place, be strategic with baits or natural pesticides and up your cleaning game until you’re confident the roaches aren’t interested in coming back. By using the information in this article, you can win back your peace of mind and protect your house from future cockroach break-ins. Explore the site for more information about cockroaches, facts about the most common species and answers to your questions about how to get rid of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

I found a dead cockroach in my house. What does that mean? Finding a dead roach means the same thing as finding a living one: it’s time to inspect for evidence of more cockroaches and, if there are more, determine the extent of the problem. Then, you’ll know if you should set baits and spray pesticides or call a professional pest control service. Can one cockroach cause an infestation? In a word, yes. Some cockroach females don’t actually need a mate to reproduce. On top of that, it’s unlikely that the lone cockroach you’ve seen is the only one in your home. Cockroaches are excellent at hiding and the one you’ve seen may be a sign that there are others nearby. I found one cockroach in my apartment. Is that different from finding a cockroach in a house? Whether an apartment or a house, the steps for identifying a cockroach problem and treating it if necessary is the same. Since you may not have access to all the areas roaches may be hiding, you’ll want to have your landlord take the proper steps.

Sources

cockroachfacts.com - I Saw One Cockroach. Should I Be Worried?

What are the 4 personality colors?

The Discovery tool uses the concept of four colors to describe four different styles of personality (precise cool blue, caring earth green,...

Last updated Jul 20, 2022

Why do people put cinnamon on the door?

So why do you have to spread it by your front doorway specifically? “Doors, in esoteric practice, represent the portal between the outside world...

Last updated Oct 23, 2019

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

What is a golden birthday for a girl?

The term refers to the birthday when your age matches the day you were born. For example, if your birthdate is the 28th of the month, your golden...

Last updated Mar 16, 2022

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Is Krishna the 8th child?

Krishna was the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudeva. Before that, seven children were killed by Kansa. However, at the night Krishna was born one...

Last updated Mar 18, 2019