Humans use many senses to discover many issues in their homes. When it comes to pests, we’ll usually see something wrong or hear a little scurrying in the walls. Did you know your nose could give you a clue, too? Read on to find out if cockroaches smell.

Do Cockroaches Smell?

People describe the roach odor as musty and oily which only gets worse as the infestation grows (although a single roach can give off a scent)—and that’s just the live ones. Dead roaches also start to have their own scent as they decompose, which is why it’s important to call in the professionals, even if you are able to get an infestation under control.

A warning: Some infestations get so bad, even food in the home starts to have a distinct taste!

Cockroach Infestation Signs

While you might be able to use your nose to identify a cockroach infestation, you’ll likely see these other signs first:

Finding Cockroach Eggs: Female cockroaches produce egg cases call oothecae which contain many eggs. The German cockroach’s ootheca is 6mm to 9mm in size. The color and size vary by species.

And if you find them, don’t delay getting help! Just one female German cockroach and her offspring can fill your home with more than 30,000 cockroaches in one year.

Seeing Feces: You’ll find things that look like coffee grounds in random places in your home. If you didn’t put the coffee grinds there, who did!?

Allergy Flair Ups: Millions of people are actually allergic to cockroaches, and that allergy so strong you might just need to be in the same space as an infestation. So if your allergies seem to be acting up for no obvious reason, you might be dealing with roaches.

Seeing a Cockroach: Of course, seeing a cockroach is a sure sign you have an infestation because where there’s one, you know there are more nearby. Cockroaches are light brown and have two parallel stripes on their back. They are oval and approximately 1/2″ to 5/8″ long.

Pest Problem? Call the pros at ExtermPRO.

That’s what your neighborhood pest pros at ExtermPRO are here for. Whether you are dealing with a cockroach infestation or want to get a head-start on pest control with our Pest Protection Plan, we are ready to keep your home insect- and rodent-free. Call us today at 571-620-1168.