During the winter months, cockroaches (and all bugs, really) are generally out of sight and out of mind. But, contrary to most people’s belief, many bugs don’t die off in the winter. In fact, many pests end up invading homes and businesses more frequently this time of year to get out of the harsh elements. Survival is everything when you’re a cockroach. Most pest cockroaches can’t survive in temperatures colder than 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Use that info to your advantage.

Does Seeing one Cockroach Mean There’s an Infestation? 

If you see a cockroach in your home, chances are it’s a German cockroach, the most common pest cockroach in the United States. Seeing one cockroach is a cause for concern and could indicate that there are more insects hidden out of sight.

Seeing one cockroach is reason enough to investigate further.

Here are some signs of a German cockroach infestation in a home or restaurant:  

• Seeing cockroach feces. German cockroach feces are tiny brown dots that look like little bits of pepper or coffee grounds and is often called “peppering”. Look for this pattern of cockroach waste in the corners of cabinets, under tables, and cracks and crevices near kitchen appliances. 

• Shed skin. German cockroach nymphs shed the outer layer of their skin as they grow, leaving empty shells as evidence. Seeing shed skin tells you that cockroaches are breeding and growing. 

• Egg cases. German cockroaches don’t lay one egg at a time but instead lay an egg case called an ootheca. These small, bean-looking cases are a huge indication that a group of breeding cockroaches is near. 

• Odor.  German cockroaches are said to emit a foul-smelling odor when they are in groups. This smell is usually described as being “oily” or “musty”. 
• Seeing cockroaches themselves. Encountering insects in a home or restaurant (especially during the day when they aren’t typically active) is an indication that there could be an infestation going on.

Will I get sick if I have cockroaches?

Living with an active German cockroach infestation is dangerous for your health. German cockroach waste can contain allergens, and it’s possible to develop allergic reactions to cockroaches if around them for long enough. Cockroach waste can also contain harmful bacteria like. E. coli that can cause many food-borne illnesses. German cockroach waste can easily become airborne and even trigger asthma symptoms.

According to the FDA food code, all restaurants that make and serve food are required by law to be pest-free and take measures to control and prevent pests like German cockroaches. This is to prevent any illness and make sure that food is being prepared in a clean environment.  

I’m only seeing one cockroach. Where did it come from?   

German cockroaches travel from infested buildings or items to other areas by hitching rides on different items. Cockroaches are generally considered “dirty” animals, but anyone can bring them into their home. You don’t have to be “dirty” or have bad hygiene to see cockroaches in your space. In many situations, like when traveling or shopping, you may be unknowingly taking some cockroach friends home with you. A simple trip to the grocery store can be the beginning of a German cockroach infestation. Below are some ways that cockroaches can enter your home.  

• Cockroaches can hitch a ride on bags, suitcases, containers or cardboard boxes. This happens very often with cardboard boxes during the moving process, as well as taking home grocery bags.   

• If you visit someone with a cockroach infestation, you could be taking those pests home with you in your belongings.

• They can enter buildings the old-fashioned way through cracks or holes on the outside of a home, as well as openings around doors and windows.   

• They are also known to move between apartment units through pipes, drains, and vents in shared walls.  

• Cockroaches can also hide out in second-hand items and furniture. Inspect and clean your thrift finds! 

What Do Cockroaches Need to Survive? 

German cockroaches can survive anywhere people live (even research stations in Antarctica have cockroach pests). Cockroaches are a lot like us humans and need things like food, water, warmth, and shelter to survive. These insects are scavengers, so they will eat almost anything. This includes crumbs, food scraps, trash, grease, oil, pet food, and even glue. Kitchens are the perfect place for German cockroaches to find these sources of food and water.

German cockroaches love hiding in dark, confined spaces like behind warm kitchen appliances or inside your cabinets. Any objects that are stored close together provide German cockroaches with many hiding spots. Cockroaches have been around for nearly 300 million years and are very resilient insects. They can even live for up to a week without their heads and can withstand about 15 times more radiation than a human can. 

What Should I Do if I Have Cockroaches? 

Seeing one cockroach doesn’t mean you have to panic. But if you’re seeing any of the signs we’ve been talking about in this blog post, don’t stall on reaching out to a trusted professional.

When a building or home is already infested with insects like the German cockroach, they can be very stubborn and difficult to get rid of. Do-it-yourself pest control products can often cause an existing cockroach problem to worsen. If you live in a multi-unit building, notify your landlord. If you see activity in your home or business, reach out. We will ensure safe control of the situation while protecting your health.  

German Cockroach Prevention 

The most important step in preventing German cockroaches is to make your home as unappetizing as possible to them. Take steps to minimize the water, food, shelter, and warmth elements that these insects need to survive. Here are some ways to make your home unattractive to German cockroach pests: 

• Remove any food sources out in the open, and properly seal/store your food. Taking away accessible food sources and making those food sources harder to get to will make these pests search elsewhere for the nutrients they need to survive. 

• Remove sources of water or humidity. Cockroaches can live up to 3 months without food, but only a week without water. Consider taking measures to prevent humidity, like using a dehumidifier, and removing water sources in the home (pet water bowls, houseplant drainage saucers, leaky faucets, etc.). 

• Seal any possible entry points. Try your best to seal cracks and crevices on the inside and outside of your home to make sure cockroaches cannot get in. If you live in an apartment and suspect a neighbor is dealing with a cockroach infestation, try sealing cracks where pipes enter your home, and putting screens or hair snares on vents and drains to prevent cockroach entry in those places. 

• Remove clutter to minimize cockroach hiding places. Remove those tight spaces that cockroaches love through minimizing clutter in your home. 

• Keep your home/kitchen clean. Vacuum crumbs and debris, take out your trash regularly, wash dishes, and clean spills to make sure cockroaches don’t find them first. 

• Inspect items before bringing them in. Take the time to thoroughly inspect cardboard boxes, grocery bags, and secondhand items for cockroaches before bringing them into your home.