Also known as frass, cockroach droppings can be a crucial indicator of a roach infestation in your living space.
There are many benefits to identifying cockroach poop. One big reason is roach poop can pose health risks to you and your family. Cockroach poop often carries bacteria and a host of other risky pathogens that can hurt human health.
In addition to being an important sign of a roach infestation, these droppings can contaminate surfaces and food, leading to infections like gastroenteritis and salmonella.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about identifying cockroach poop.
- What does cockroach poop look like?
- Comparison of cockroach droppings to other insects and rodent droppings
- Where to look for cockroach poop
- Health risks associated with cockroach poop
- How to get rid of a cockroach infestation
Description Of Cockroach Poop
Physical Characteristics of Cockroach Poop
Cockroach dropping is usually very small, measuring under one millimeter. It is also particularly regular, just like a grain of rice, albeit half the size.
In terms of color, cockroach feces is dark brown and from a distance, they may resemble specks of dirt.
Droppings from small roaches may look like black pepper or ground coffee. Big roaches’ droppings tend to have crests down the side and blunt ends.
Note that droppings from small species of roaches are different in both size and shape from adult roaches.
Small cockroach droppings are usually in the form of black specks or stains and resemble a grain of ground coffee or black pepper. Droppings from big cockroaches are normally cylindrical and solid.
Comparison of Cockroach Poop to Other Insects & Rodent Feces
Understanding the differences between cockroach poops from other insects and rodent poops can help you fathom what exactly you are dealing with.
You might come across an area of fecal matter somewhere in your home, but if you can’t tell where it comes from, it can be hard to deal with the infestation at hand. As we have mentioned, cockroach poop tends to have a granular touch since it contains undigested foods.
But droppings from, for example, bed bugs tend to have a smooth surface since they consist of dried blood food.
As a homeowner, it would be good to be able to tell the difference between a cockroach and rodent poop. Rat and mouse droppings tend to have pointed ends, while roach feces have blunt ends.
The location of the poop is also important because cockroaches usually leave behind their feces in smaller spaces that mice or rats cannot fit.
Where to Look for Cockroach Poop
Common Areas Where Cockroaches Leave Feces
The thing with cockroaches is that they leave their droppings everywhere they go. And while they don’t have specific bathroom locations, there are locations where they are likely to defecate more than others.
Cockroaches are highly likely to leave droppings near their food sources and their nesting areas. If you leave food around for them to eat, then they will poop in that area.
Cockroach poop can be found practically anywhere that these pests can be found – be it underneath the bed, behind a wall painting, or under the tables. But the most common places to find roach poop include:
- On top of cabinets, shelves, doors, or any other high items that can offer hidden passage
- Behind and underneath large home appliances such as refrigerators, dryers, washers, and even sinks
- In storage places, particularly with papers and cardboard boxes
- In the corners around your homes as well as on baseboards
- Any crevices or openings on the walls or floor
Signs of Cockroach Infestation
Discovering cockroach infestation can be a disturbing realization. The quicker you do the better your chances of dealing with it. Moreover, it can be pretty easy to notice early signs of roaches’ activities in your home, even though they like to hide during the day.
Here are some of the most common signs cockroaches leave behind during their daytime activities that can help you detect their infestation.
- Poop: One of the first signs of cockroach infestation is droppings. If you discover a group of small, cylindrical, or black pepper-like droppings with ridges running on the side and blunt ends, this could be a clear indication of a cockroach infestation.
- Shed skins: In addition to droppings, cockroaches also leave behind skin sheds. These shells are often found in areas where roaches like to hide. They can shed their skins up to 8 times before reaching adulthood.
- Foul smell: Some cockroach species produce a musty, upsetting smell that tends to get stronger as the infestation grows.
- Egg capsules: Cockroaches usually lay their eggs in a capsule, with each carrying up to 30 small nymph cockroaches. If you come across egg capsules in your homes, it is a clear indication that there is an infestation.
- Smudge marks: Sometimes roaches will leave behind brown, irregularly shaped smudge marks on wall-floor corners and surfaces, especially in areas with a lot of moisture.
Health Risks Associated with Cockroach Poop
Disease Carried by Cockroaches
Roaches are usually associated with poor hygiene, filth, and dirt. Their nesting and feeding habits mean they can ingest and carry numerous pathogenic microorganisms such as fungi, parasites, viruses, and bacteria. This can easily contaminate food and surfaces they come in contact with in your home, causing illnesses and even leading to food deterioration.
For businesses, these pests can negatively impact the staff and lead to a breach of safety laws, closures, product recall, and massive financial losses.
Roaches are believed to carry organisms that can cause the following infections and illnesses:
- Listeriosis
- Dysentery
- Giardia
- Cholera
- Typhoid fever
- Gastroenteritis
- Leprosy
- Salmonellosis
In addition, cockroaches can also aggravate allergies such as asthma as well as spread streptococcus, staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli.
Health Risks of Inhaling or Touching Cockroach Feces
Cockroach droppings are more than just a nuisance; they can be hazardous to your health. Proteins contained in the excrement may cause asthma attacks or allergies and even lead to children’s development of asthma, long after cockroaches have been removed from the home.
After eliminating roaches from the home, it is vital to carry out a deep cleaning process – if this step isn’t taken seriously the cockroach proteins may linger in your home for years to come. Be proactive about keeping your loved ones safe and tackle any traces left behind by roaches today!
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches Infestations
Professional Pest Control Options
The best way to get rid of cockroach infestations in your home or business is to use a professional pest control company. This is because a typical cockroach infestation requires around three treatments to permanently eliminate them.
These treatments may include a combination of a gel bait, insecticidal spray, and glue traps. If the roach infestation is so severe, you may require fumigation.
Conclusion
If you discover roach droppings in your home or business establishment, it is a clear indication that you have an infestation.
However, it is important to be able to tell the difference between cockroach feces and other insects’ and rodents’ feces, as this will help you understand the kind of pest you are dealing with.
Cockroach droppings are mainly found near or around their food sources. This is bad news for you since these droppings can contaminate your food and utensils, and the roaches themselves are also known to carry disease-causing pathogens.
Using professional pest control is the best and quickest way to get rid of cockroach infestation permanently.
FAQ
How can you tell the difference between cockroach poop and mouse poop?
Cockroach poop has ridges running down its side and blunt ends, while mouse droppings are usually smooth, slightly large, and may contain short hairs.
What should you do if you find cockroach poop in your home?
If you find cockroach droppings in your home, cleaning and vacuuming the affected areas can help prevent potential diseases and may also reduce allergic attacks.
What do cockroaches like to eat?
Cockroaches are known for their survivability, one reason being the breadth of food sources they’ll eat. Roaches will gorge on anything from sugar and starch to glue or cardboard – yes that’s right, American roaches, Palmetto roaches, and German cockroaches can survive munching away at an old pizza box!
They’re able to last weeks without sustenance yet once a source is found these scavengers spread like wildfire and become difficult to control. To steer clear of having them take up residence in your home it’s essential you keep surfaces clean with proper food storage habits.
