Should I Worry If I See One Cockroach?

We receive a lot of questions about these cockroaches. Some people wonder if these pests are dangerous, while others are concerned that seeing one might mean an infestation. In this article, we’ll address both concerns. We’ll identify the three most common types of cockroaches in the Hampton Roads area, explain what spotting one in your home could mean, and share tips on how to exterminate and prevent these pests! 

The most common cockroaches in Hampton Roads

We have several cockroach species in the state. The three that commonly get into structures are American, German, and Oriental cockroaches.

• American cockroaches
  The largest roach that gets into homes in our area, American cockroaches are often over an inch and a half long. Some get even larger!  They are reddish-brown (or chestnut) and have pale brown or yellow bands on the upper plate that cover their heads. Wings that hang past the end of their abdomens are stacked on their backs. Although adult American cockroaches can fly, they don’t make a regular habit of doing so.
• German Cockroaches
  This is the smallest roach listed here, ranging from ½ to ⅝ inches in length. They have tannish yellow bodies, and on their backs, they have a marking that looks like an equal sign. German cockroaches have pale gold wings but cannot fly.
• Oriental Cockroaches
  Oriental cockroaches are in the middle of the size spectrum, measuring around one inch long. They are shiny black or dark brown. Males of this species have short wings that cover only a portion of their backs, while females have only wing pads. These roaches do not fly.

Should you worry about cockroaches making you sick?

Each roach listed above is a health concern because they all feed on decaying organic matter and can pick up harmful disease-causing organisms like salmonella and E. coli, as well as other bacteria and pathogens. What’s more, these nasty bugs trigger allergies and asthma with their body parts, saliva, and feces.

Does one cockroach mean you have a full-blown infestation?

Seeing one cockroach in your home does not necessarily mean you have a full-blown infestation, but it can be a sign of a potential problem. You see, roaches can be difficult to spot because they are primarily nocturnal and avoid encounters with humans. Spotting a live cockroach crawling under your refrigerator or in your drain probably means others are nearby. Unfortunately, roaches often live inside structures, especially ones with high moisture levels, and quickly grow large populations. Experts say that seeing one roach usually means there are hundreds that you're not seeing. Therefore, seeing one roach is likely a warning that you have an infestation.

What to do if you see a cockroach in your house

If you see one cockroach in your home, you could look for others crawling about or signs of cockroaches, including droppings, egg cases, or shed skins. Of course, we recommend contacting a pest control company if you’re worried about a possible roach infestation. Here at Getem Services, we offer pest control services that start with a thorough inspection to accurately identify the pest, evaluate the severity of the problem, and locate conducive conditions. We’ll develop and implement a customized treatment plan to eliminate these vile pests based on our findings!

We also provide home pest control services in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and communities throughout Hampton Roads. Our services offer ongoing protection against common house-infesting pests, including, but not limited to, some cockroach species, spiders, ants, mice, and rats. Check out our plan below or contact us for more information! 

The time for cockroach control is before you have a problem

Cockroach infestations are unpleasant; proactively preventing an infestation is far less stressful than finding these gross bugs crawling around your home. If you’re ready to protect your family and home from roaches, give us a shout!  If it’s too late and you’ve already found evidence of a cockroach issue, still call us, and we’ll send out a trusted pest control specialist to take care of the problem right away!

A word on cockroach prevention

To make your home less appealing to these moisture-loving pests, we highly recommend the following tips:

• Make sure your crawl space is dry.
• Seal cracks, gaps, and other entry points.
• Address moisture and humidity levels in your laundry room, bathrooms, and other areas.
• Fix any plumbing problems.
• Store food in containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Take your trash out regularly and make sure exterior garbage cans are covered.