With spiny legs and oily bodies, cockroaches are hard to miss, but there are three different types that may invade your Jacksonville home: American cockroaches, German cockroaches, and Oriental cockroaches.
American roaches are the largest, growing up to three inches in length, and have reddish-brown coloring. German cockroaches usually only grow to less than an inch with brown or tan coloring, but they’re more common than American or Oriental roaches. Oriental roaches look similar to German roaches, but they are slightly larger, have darker, glossier bodies, and are more likely to fly.
Some people assume they don’t have a cockroach problem just because they do not see live bugs, but seeing cockroaches themselves isn’t always the first indication of trouble. There are plenty of signs of a cockroach infestation, and spotting live roaches is typically one of the last you’ll see. For Jacksonville homeowners, here’s what you should know about the signs of cockroaches, how dangerous they are, and what to do if you’re spotting signs of roaches.
Signs Of A Cockroach Infestation In Jacksonville?
Besides seeing actual cockroaches, there are other, more subtle signs of an infestation, such as:
- Droppings: Cockroaches will eat almost anything in your home, and they’ll leave tiny droppings behind, which resemble pepper or coffee grounds.
- Musty odor: It’s not as noticeable with small infestations, but roaches have an unusual, musty odor that will linger around your home as an infestation grows.
- Smear marks: Cockroaches can also leave streaks and smear marks behind on baseboards, walls, and other areas of your home with high roach activity.
- Discarded skin: Cockroaches shed their skin several times during their lifespan, and this discarded skin can get left in areas where roaches are hiding out or spending time.
How Dangerous Are Cockroaches In Jacksonville?
Not only are they unsanitary and unsettling to have in your home, but cockroaches can be dangerous too – for a couple of reasons:
- They can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms, especially in children.
- They can contaminate and spread bacteria like salmonellosis, streptococcus, and staphylococcus.
- They can cause property damage by eating books, glue, or other starchy materials around your home.
Besides the dangers they bring into a home, cockroaches can be extremely difficult to get rid of on your own. Roaches can hide in tiny cracks and crevices that go unnoticed for months, and they reproduce quickly.
What To Do If You’re Seeing Signs Of Cockroaches In Jacksonville
Because of how quickly they reproduce and how well they hide, the best way to get rid of a cockroach infestation is by enlisting help from the professionals at Trad’s Pest Control. With convenient scheduling, effective treatments, and experienced professionals, we’ve got the perfect recipe for ridding your home of roaches in Jacksonville.
If you’re seeing signs of cockroaches in your house or have actually spotted live roaches, there’s only one thing to do. Contact us today at Trad’s Pest Control to learn more about how we can help or schedule an inspection of your Jacksonville home.