What’s worse than a cockroach? A cockroach nest- more so if it’s in your house.
Since I was a kid, I’ve absolutely hated dealing with cockroaches. One, just the sight of these pests disgusts me. I almost always get goosebumps! Two, they multiply way too fast and become hard to control once they find a suitable spot in your house. That’s why I’ve always avoided tasks that have anything to do with cockroaches.
However, last month, my husband had to travel for work, and I was left home alone. Now, it didn’t sound like much of a problem until I found a cockroach in the sink. After contemplating calling someone from the neighborhood for help, I decided to face my fears and take matters into my hands.
But, I knew for a fact that it was no use chasing cockroaches emerging from different directions. I had to get to the root cause- the nest.
Howdy! I’m Stacy Smith, and I’ve curated this extensive guide on how to find cockroach nest. So, let’s start the hunt!
A Brief Guide To Cockroach Nests
What Do They Look Like?
It might be a surprise to some, but a cockroach nest looks nothing like a “nest.” Neither do they resemble a bird’s nest made of twigs, nor are they anywhere close to a cluster of useful materials made by a mouse. All cockroaches want is food, and a lot of water. Thus, you often find them in your kitchen cabinets, behind refrigerators, and so on.
Such locations allow the colony to function efficiently while remaining undercover. What we call a nest is the hotspot of the colony which can contain over a hundred roaches. This is where they breed and lay eggs. Believe it or not- a single female cockroach can lay more than 40 eggs! So, once you find a cockroach nest, you are bound to discover many other cockroaches, some alive and some dead.
Some signs to watch out for while looking for a cockroach nest include old egg cases, skins, and droppings found in high activity spots. So, if you see tiny, dark grounds around the kitchen, don’t scold your kids for spilling coffee. They could be roach droppings!
Moreover, egg cases are usually smaller than half an inch and easy to recognize. Old skins are the exoskeletons that roaches shed as they transform into fully grown adults. Depending on the infestation at your home, you might find a few or plenty of these skins lying around.
If you happen to catch an insect that does not quite resemble a cockroach, chances are it could be a young roach, a.k.a. a nymph. Since they shed their skin at least six times, they look different at various stages of life.
Favorable Spots For A Roach Nest
Cockroaches like to work incognito; in fact, it is their most effective survival skill. So, needless to say, they love dark and dingy places, especially if it allows high levels of moisture. However, depending on the type, some could prefer cooler areas while others stick to hotter regions.
Additionally, these roaches are smart. They know what’s important in life, i.e., food! Thus, you’ll always find them in places allowing easy and quick access to food.
Most of the time, it is hard to locate these pesky insects because they are small and experts at hiding. Even the largest species, the American cockroach, is small enough to fit into nooks and corners that usually go unnoticed. That’s why you’re most likely to find a swarm behind cabinets, underneath carpets, and their favorite spot- the basement.
Overall, if you happen to spot a cockroach, do not brush it off, thinking a single insect cannot harm you. Chances are you’ve got many of these uninvited guests at home!
How To Find A Cockroach Nest
Before you get started, I highly recommend wearing old clothes and gloves because things will get dirty hereon!
While I was on my quest to find a cockroach nest, I admit I felt anxious about being face to face with an entire horde of them. But, since I was home alone, I had no other option. Plus, I convinced myself, knowing that they cannot harm me at all. In fact, they are going to be scared of me and dart away!
Keeping these points in mind, try to look for places that provide them the three necessities for survival- food, humidity, and security. I suggest starting from the kitchen. Check your cabinets, shelves, storage spaces, and look behind, under, and inside containers and any objects that serve as a good hiding place.
Kitchen appliances and refrigerators should be checked thoroughly for nests or any tell-tale signs of nearby hotspots. I suggest carrying a flashlight to ensure you don’t miss a single hint.
Next, you can inspect the bathroom and other dark and damp places, especially if there are rooms you don’t use that often. For instance, the basement or the guest room can also serve as efficient breeding grounds.
I understand checking high and low in all of these rooms can be time-consuming and physically draining. But the effort is a lot less compared to hiring a professional pest control service once the infestation is too severe.
- COCKROACH CONTROL: Advion Cockroach gel bait from Syngenta is a high-performing bait product targeting many pest species of cockroaches including German, American and gel bait-averse cockroaches. It’s formulated with 0.6% indoxacarb, which is a potent, non-repellent active ingredient used for trusted pest control.
- VERSATILE USAGE: Advion Cockroach Gel Bait is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Thanks to its targeted MetaActive effect that differentiates between target insects and non-target organisms, it’s highly unlikely to negatively affect people or pets.
- HIGHLY ATTRACTIVE FORMULATION: Advion Cockroach has a high-consumption bait matrix with ingredients that attract roaches to feed. Once consumed, treated cockroaches transfer the bait to as many as 40 other cockroaches, aiding in control of the infestation in as little as 24 hours.
- Quick Kill Formula – Your secret weapon against roaches! Starts working as soon as roaches feed on the bait - killing the ones you see and the owns you don’t.
- Eliminates the nest – Roaches take the bait back to the nest, killing other roaches and destroying the nest.
- Protects your home – Child resistant bait stations provide continuous maximum roach control for up to 12 months.
How To Prevent Cockroach Infestations
Cockroaches leave a strong odor wherever they settle. This attracts other roaches, allowing them to nest together. Thus, if you spot a nest, it is best to clean the area thoroughly. Remove all sorts of debris, including droppings and egg cases. Repairing plumbing issues like leakage will prevent unnecessary moisture, keeping roaches away.
Additionally, baits are useful in catching roaches nesting in hard-to-reach places. However, I do not recommend applying chemical treatments on your own. Only a professional knows the proper method and amount of chemicals required to eliminate a cockroach nest efficiently.
Conclusion
That’s all I’ve got for you today!
Hopefully, this guide will help you find and eliminate a cockroach nest once and for all. Regular cleaning and repairing leaky pipes and bathroom fixtures help a great deal in keeping roaches away.
Let me know some of your ways to tackle these pests in the comment section below. Stay tuned for more such informative reads.
Until then, stay safe and pest-free!