Of all the pests that can enter your home and take up residence, few can be as unsettling as cockroaches. Lots of people shudder at the sound of this insect's name — which means that if you find yourself in an unfortunate situation and believe that you have cockroaches in your home, you'll want to deal with the problem promptly. It's not practical to attempt to find and destroy these insects yourself. You'll want to seek help from a licensed pest control agency in your area. Here are some warning signs that you have cockroaches in your home and should seek help from a pest control professional.

Eggs

Seeing one or more cockroaches is the easiest way to tell that you have an infestation issue, but it's certainly possible to have cockroaches in your home that remain out of sight. It's useful to look for several warning signs, including the presence of eggs. Even if the insects themselves are difficult to spot, it can be relatively easy to notice their eggs. Cockroach eggs vary a little in appearance based on the specific variety of insects that they come from, but they tend to be dark in color and long and somewhat cylindrical in shape. If your cockroach problem is serious, you might see many of these eggs together.

Feces

Feces can be another warning sign that you have a cockroach problem in your home. The droppings are black or brown and small, and will often be smeared on horizontal surfaces. They're especially easy to notice on light surfaces, such as the base of a cabinet beneath your sink, because of their dark color. It's useful to remember exactly where you find cockroach feces so that you can share this information with your pest control agency. A large buildup of feces in one particular area indicates that the insects are in the vicinity.

Odor

The emergence of a new odor in one or more areas of your home can often indicate that cockroaches are present. While it's off-putting to notice such an odor, it's a good warning sign that you need professional help. Although the odor can be challenging to describe, it often has a scent that is musty or reminiscent of mildew. Just one of these warning signs should be enough to convince you that you have cockroaches in your home. Reach out to a local pest control company for help if you have a cockroach problem.