One of the most common complaints that exterminators in Mississauga receive is cockroaches in the house. The mere sight of these creatures is enough to make your skin crawl but aside from this, cockroaches are dangerous. The insects carry diseases including Salmonellosis, Cholera, Gastroenteritis, Typhoid Fever, Plague, Leprosy, Dysentery and more. It is worth noting that unlike mosquitoes, cockroaches do not transmit diseases directly to humans. Instead, they spread disease mainly by contaminating food consumed by humans.
Signs of Roaches in the House
If you suspect that you have a cockroach infestation in your house, you can look out for the following signs;
The first and most obvious is spotting the insects dead or alive. They like to live in dark, moist areas of the house. Favorite hiding places include behind the sink, behind the refrigerator and behind or inside appliances. The insects are nocturnal so you are most likely to spot them at night when they are active.
Another sing of a roach infestation is finding egg cases also known as oothecae. The casing contains up to 50 eggs (depending on the type of cockroach) protected by a layer of protein. The protein hardens over time to form a strong, protective case. You can identify the oothecae by its oblong shape and brown color. Common areas where the cockroach may hide its eggs include inside books, between cracks, behind furniture, in pantries and in wall voids. Some species such as the German roach will carry the casing until the eggs can hatch safely. Most other species simply stash the eggs in a safe location.
Roach feces are yet another sign of an invader. Roaches have a large appetite and their diet consist of anything from plant matter to garbage and human food. This also means that they leave behind a sizeable amount of droppings which are hard to miss if you know what you are looking for. The droppings may look like oval pellets, ground coffee, brown stains or pepper depending on the type of roach. The amount of droppings can give you a good indication of the size of the infestation.
Finally, you can tell a cockroach infestation from a distinct odor especially if the infestation has gone on for a long time. The smell is pungent, musty or oily. The smell may come from the roaches themselves or from decomposing bodies of dead members. The smell is so strong that it can seep into food and affect its flavor.
Call a Professional Exterminator
DIY extermination is rarely successful so save your time and money and call a professional cockroach exterminator in Mississauga. The major reason for DIY failure is most people are unable to locate and/or identify the oothecae and treat accordingly. You can kill all the live cockroaches in the house but the infestation will definitely return when the eggs hatch.
An exterminator’s services extend to more than simply killing the roaches. He will also clean up after to discourage other pests from coming in after extermination. He will also help you to avoid roaches in the future. Ask for a warranty for at least six months to guarantee that the job was successful.