5. Damage to food packages:
Cockroaches are not picky eaters and will chew through cardboard, paper, and plastic to get to food. If you find holes or chew marks in food packaging, it’s likely due to cockroaches.
Eradicating a Cockroach Infestation
1. Keep your home clean: Remove food scraps and liquid spills immediately, take out the garbage regularly, and store food in airtight containers. This helps remove sources of nutrition for the cockroaches.
2. Seal cracks and crevices: Cockroaches can enter through the tiniest of spaces. Sealing gaps around windows, doors, and where pipes enter walls can help prevent access.
3. Use baits and insecticides: There’s a wide range of chemical and natural insecticides available for home use, including gel baits and boric acid. When using chemicals, it is imperative to follow the product’s instructions to ensure the safety of household members and pets.
4. Set traps: Glue traps can help monitor and reduce the population by trapping scouting cockroaches. Place them in areas where cockroach activity has been noticed.
5. Hire a professional: If the infestation seems beyond control, consider bringing in a pest management professional. They have access to more potent tools and techniques that can often be more effective and efficient.
Is Seeing Just One or Two Cockroaches Bad?
Finding one or two cockroaches in your home isn’t necessarily an indication of an infestation. However, because cockroaches are good at hiding and their populations grow quickly, even a couple could mean that there are more in hiding. Therefore, any sighting of cockroaches should motivate you to monitor the situation more closely and possibly implement preventative measures.

In conclusion, even though seeing a single cockroach might not be a sure sign of an infestation, it’s important to remain vigilant. Keeping your home clean, sealing entry points, and using traps or insecticides can control and prevent further infestation. Professional pest control may be required for severe infestations. Early intervention is key to keeping a cockroach problem from becoming a cockroach disaster.