Not necessarily. Was it a large roach, and did you see it by a water source like a bathroom drain? If so, it’s likely an American or Oriental cockroach looking for or came from a water source. But, if you saw a small one in a different area, or different signs, you might have a problem.
German cockroaches rank in the top three most troublesome pests for good reason. They can come in by hitchhiking on someone’s pant leg, carry dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, and multiply by the thousands in a heartbeat. A female German cockroach can reproduce over 300 eggs in her lifetime, and it only takes 8-12 weeks for new eggs to mature. That means a population can double in less than two months!
German cockroaches are nocturnal, so if you see one out in daylight, you might have a problem lurking in the shadows. Kitchens and bathrooms are typical areas, around food and water sources and humid areas. Some signs to look far are clusters of pepper like dots (roach feces) in an area around appliances like microwaves, refrigerators, and stoves. A strong, musty or oily smell in kitchen cabinets can signal a hidden population, as well as seeing egg casings or shed skins.
You’ve seen all the signs and you are beginning to panic- now what? First, take a deep breath. Eliminating cockroaches is a marathon, not a sprint. Clean, clean, clean, and clean daily. Move all food to air-tight containers or store in the refrigerator with lids. Empty trash daily, and fix any leaks to cut off water sources.
Call in the professionals.
Wiser Smart Pest & Space Solutions knows the delicate balance in eliminating a population, including growth inhibitors, bait, and glue boards to not only catch the existing roaches, but diminish the next generation, until they are completely eliminated.