If I find one cockroach, does that mean there's more?

Cockroaches are one of the most common pests that our customers find in their homes and buildings. They’re known for being fast, adaptable, incredibly resilient and just all round a big old bowl of ewww.

If you’ve spotted one cockroach in your home, there’s a very good chance there are more lurking around in hidden places – in the ceiling, in walls, cupboards, garages and under your floorboards. If you’ve found a cockroach in your home, don’t worry, we explore why you might have them in the first place and what you can do to prevent a full-blown infestation.

Believe it or not, cockroaches are actually social insects and tend to live in groups or colonies. They’re nocturnal creatures, which means you’re more likely to spot them in your home at night as they search for food and water. If you see a cockroach during the day, this can be a sign that an infestation has reached a critical point, and the cockroaches are now competing for food and space, hence why they’re out and about during the day.

What to do if you see a cockroach during the day

If you’ve spotted a cockroach in your home during the day, here’s a few helpful steps to follow.

See if you can identify the cockroach

If it's in an area that you can easily reach – like on the floor, simply use a paper towel or a tissue to pick it up and dispose of it in the garbage. Before you do that, however, take a look at the different pages on our website that can help you to identify the breed of cockroach, which may come in handy if you need to talk to a professional pest control company.

The most common types of cockroaches we get in Brisbane are:-
Australian Cockroach
American Cockroach
German Cockroach
Oriental Cockroach
Brown Banded Cockroach
Smoky Brown Cockroach

Clean up

Make sure you put away any food debris and wipe up any spills that may have attracted the cockroach. Cockroaches are attracted to two things – food and moisture, so make sure you keep your kitchen clean, dry and free of food scraps.

Check for cracks

Take a look around your home for any cracks or openings where cockroaches could be entering. Seal up any openings with caulk or another appropriate material. This should at least deter cockroaches from entering your home through easy-to-use cracks and openings.

If you find the infestation is severe and you’re unable to control it yourself, consider contacting a pest control professional like Abolish for assistance.

Where do cockroaches like to hang out?

Cockroaches are incredibly prolific in their breeding habits. A female cockroach can lay up to 50 eggs at one time, and those eggs can hatch in as little as a week. This means that a small infestation can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation in a matter of weeks.

If you spot a cockroach in your home, it is important to do something about it to prevent the infestation from spreading further. First, you will want to identify the areas where the cockroaches are hiding out with all their little creepy crawly buddies. Cockroaches prefer warm, dark, and humid places, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Take a look in these areas for signs of cockroach activity, such as droppings, shed skins, or egg cases.

If you can identify the areas where cockroaches are hiding, you can make a start on taking steps to eliminate them. Try sealing up any cracks or crevices in your home, removing any sources of food and water, and if cockroach baits or traps don’t work, call in the professionals.

What are some signs of a cockroach infestation?

Here are a few signs that you may have a cockroach infestation in your home, shed or building:

You find cockroach poo

Cockroaches leave behind droppings that look like small, dark, cylindrical pellets (kind of like tiny licorice bullets but not nearly as tasty). You will find them in places where cockroaches are likely to be hiding, such as behind appliances, in cupboards, and under sinks.

You find egg casings

Cockroaches lay their eggs in casings that look like small, brown capsules (also very much like licorice bullets). You might find these in areas where cockroaches are likely to be hiding, such as in cracks, crevices inside boxes and under items that don’t get disturbed.

There’s an unpleasant odour

When there are a lot of cockroaches in your home, they emit a musty, oily odour that can be quite strong the closer you get to the infestation. If you notice an unpleasant smell in your home (that isn’t the dog's farts) – especially in areas where cockroaches are likely to be hiding, it could be a sign of an infestation.

You see live cockroaches

This one is the kicker. Seeing live cockroaches – particularly during the day, in areas where food is stored or prepared is a strong indicator of an infestation, and it’s time to call in a pest control company.

It’s really important to remember that seeing a single cockroach isn’t something to take lightly, as they’re known to carry a range of diseases and can trigger asthma and allergies in some people.

If you see cockroaches in your home, taking swift action can prevent a minor infestation from turning into a major problem and keep your home free from these unwanted pests.