Does One Cockroach Mean An Infestation?

You spot a cockroach scurrying across the kitchen floor. Is it just one lost bug or a sign of something bigger? The warm and humid climate in Jacksonville and throughout the First Coast and Northern Florida makes it a prime spot for cockroaches, so finding one in your home could be more than just a one-time sighting. In today’s blog, we’ll identify the types of roaches you might see, why one could mean many, the health risks they bring, and how to keep them out of your home.

Common types of cockroaches 

Although there are around 70 species of cockroaches in the United States, only a few are pests in homes and buildings. Unfortunately, a couple of those are prevalent in our region. Below is a short list of our region's most common types of cockroaches. 

American Cockroaches
Also called palmetto bugs, these giant roaches love damp, warm spaces, and you’ll often find them in basements, crawl spaces, and even sewers. Unfortunately, they’re not just outdoor dwellers—they can sneak indoors searching for food and water.

German Cockroaches
German cockroaches are smaller but incredibly common in homes. They thrive in kitchens and bathrooms where warmth and moisture are readily available. Because they reproduce quickly, they are usually the biggest culprits when a single sighting turns into an infestation.

Asian Cockroaches
Similar in appearance to German cockroaches, Asian cockroaches are small and light brown. Unlike German roaches, which prefer indoor environments, Asian cockroaches thrive outdoors. They are often found in shaded, moist areas like gardens and mulch beds. They are attracted to light and may inadvertently find their way inside. 

Does one cockroach mean more?

When homeowners spot a cockroach in their kitchen at night, the question that often comes next is how many cockroaches there are if you see one. Is a single cockroach evidence of an infestation? 

Unfortunately, the answer is most likely yes—seeing one cockroach often means there is more hiding nearby. Cockroaches are nocturnal and prefer to stay hidden in cracks and crevices during the day, which means if you see one, there’s a good chance it’s not alone. Cockroaches can squeeze into the smallest spaces and multiply quickly, especially German roaches, producing hundreds of offspring in a year. One roach can mean an infestation is growing; it can also mean you have a full-blown infestation, especially if you notice them frequently or see all life stages. 

Health risks associated with a cockroach problem

Beyond being unwelcome houseguests, cockroaches can pose serious health risks. First, they can carry bacteria like salmonella and E. coli on their bodies, which can contaminate food and surfaces, leading to illnesses including food poisoning. 

Cockroach droppings, shed skins, and saliva trigger allergic reactions and asthma, particularly in children and sensitive individuals. Given these health concerns, it is best to act fast when you notice cockroach activity.

Signs of a cockroach infestation

To find out if American or German roaches have infested your home, we recommend looking for: 

• Cockroach droppings
  German cockroach droppings look similar to black pepper and are often found in areas where they hide, like kitchen cabinets, drawers, and along baseboards. American cockroaches have larger, brown, or black droppings with ridges on the sides. They are often found in crawl spaces and behind appliances. 
• Egg casings
  Egg casings, also called oothecae, also vary by species. German cockroaches have light brown egg casings about 1/4 inch long, while American cockroaches have reddish-brown casings about 3/8 of an inch. 
• Shed skins
  Both species molt several times as they transition from nymph to adult. After each molt, they emerge with a soft, new exoskeleton while leaving the old skin behind. Shed skin is often found near cockroach hiding places. 
• Smear marks 
  Smear marks left behind by cockroaches are a residue that builds up on these pests as they travel across surfaces with moisture, dirt, or grease build-up. These marks appear as dark streaks or smudges on walls, floors, and other surfaces that cockroaches traffic. 

Where to look for cockroaches in your home

Now that you know what to look for, let’s identify the areas to check. Cockroaches are excellent at finding dark, warm, and humid places to nest and hide. If you’re worried about an infestation, check the following areas: 

• Kitchen
  Roaches often hide behind refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers, which provide warmth and easy access to food and moisture. Other kitchen hiding spots include inside cabinets and drawers and under the sink. 
• Bathrooms
  Like kitchens, bathrooms have moisture and humidity, making them prime hiding spots for pests. These pests often lurk under bathroom sinks, behind toilets, drains, and pipes. 
• Laundry room
  Cockroaches love the dark, humid conditions in laundry rooms and often hide under appliances. 
• Crawl space
  Crawl spaces attract roaches because they provide warmth, moisture, and shelter. 
• Attic & storage areas
  Cockroaches love clutter, or rather, they love to hide in boxes, piles of paper, and other items that collect in the attic, closets, and other storage areas. 

Please remember that the abovementioned hiding spots are not comprehensive; you could easily find roaches hiding under your couch or inside a gaming console. They are highly adaptable insects that can squeeze into tiny spaces, so it’s essential to check all over for these pests or signs of them. 

How to prevent cockroaches from infesting

To keep cockroaches out, follow these prevention tips:

• Seal entry points
  Since roaches can fit through tiny gaps, sealing every potential entry point from the foundation up is important. Seal openings and holes with caulk or install weather stripping. 
• Reduce moisture
  This is a big one- cockroaches love moisture, so you must fix leaks, ensure bathrooms are well-ventilated, and run dehumidifiers in damp areas.
• Keep the house clean
  Roaches will seek out food sources under the cover of darkness, so if you leave dirty dishes in the sink, you can bet they’ll find them. Also, crumbs and spills on the floor and counters will attract cockroaches. Take away potential food sources by keeping your home clean. And we’re not just talking about the kitchen. Roaches will feed on soap scum, toothpaste, human hair, and other items that we’d prefer not to mention. 
• Declutter like Marie Kondo
  Cockroaches love hiding spots, so reduce clutter in your home, particularly in the attic, closets, and garage.

Why professional cockroach control beats DIY methods

While DIY methods like sprays and traps can offer short-term relief, they rarely eliminate the root of the problem. Cockroaches are incredibly resilient and can survive many over-the-counter products. Plus, most DIY solutions only target the roaches you can see—completely missing the eggs and hidden pests.

Contacting a pest control company that offers cockroach solutions is the way to go. Professionals are equipped with the expertise and tools and know the best way to treat your specific type of cockroach infestation. 

Contact Lindsey Pest Services if you see a roach or signs of cockroach activity

For help getting rid of a cockroach infestation in your home, contact Lindsey Pest Services at the first sign of a problem. Serving Greater Jacksonville and the First Coast from Fernandina Beach to Crescent Beach, our local, woman-owned pest control company has been fighting and winning the battles against these vile pests since 1957!

Whether you’re looking for a one-time pest treatment or ongoing protection against roaches and other insect and rodent pests, we can help. In fact, we highly recommend signing up for one of our affordable home pest control plans for year-round service. Check out our Good Plan below, or give us a call! 

This blog was originally published Jan 20, 2022; it has been updated to reflect the most up-to-date information.