You may have roaches if you notice small, dark droppings that resemble ground pepper, a strong oily or musty odor, or smear marks along walls and surfaces. Other signs include shed skins, egg cases (called oothecae), and actual sightings of roaches—especially at night when they’re most active. Common hiding spots include behind refrigerators, under sinks, inside cabinets, and around drains. If you’re seeing signs during the day, the infestation may already be severe and should be addressed quickly by a professional.

You might have a roach infestation if you see live roaches—especially during the day—or find signs like droppings that look like black pepper, shed skins, or oval egg cases. A strong, musty odor is also common in larger infestations. Roaches tend to hide in dark, moist areas like under sinks, behind appliances, or inside cabinets. If you spot multiple signs, it’s best to contact a pest control professional right away.

Roaches reproduce rapidly, making infestations hard to control once established. A single female cockroach can produce an egg case containing 10 to 50 eggs every few weeks. Depending on the species, these eggs hatch within a month, and the young roaches mature into adults in as little as two months.

Professional roach removal involves a combination of inspection, targeted treatments, and prevention strategies to ensure safe and effective results. Experts use gel baits placed in hidden areas where roaches travel, which attract and poison them without widespread pesticide use.