Cockroach control companies

About cockroach control

Cockroaches hide during the day, breed quickly and are hard to clear out once they settle into a kitchen or bathroom. This guide explains the signs, what you can do yourself, what professional treatment involves and what to ask before you hire a company.

Signs of a cockroach infestation

One cockroach running from the kitchen light at night doesn't always mean an infestation. These signs point to a larger problem:

• Cockroaches out during the day, which can mean their hiding spots are crowded.
• Small dark droppings that look like ground pepper or coffee grounds in drawers, cabinet corners and along baseboards.
• Egg cases, which are small brown capsules, near cracks and behind appliances.
• A musty, oily smell in cabinets or closets.

The species matters. The German cockroach is small and light brown with two dark stripes behind its head, and it lives indoors near stoves, sinks and dishwashers. Larger species, such as the reddish brown American cockroach and the dark, shiny Oriental cockroach, often come in from outdoors, drains or sewers.

How to make your home harder for cockroaches

Cockroaches need food, water and tight places to hide. Taking those away helps any treatment work better.

• Wash dishes and wipe counters every night.
• Store food, including pet food, in sealed containers.
• Clean crumbs and grease from under the stove, toaster and refrigerator.
• Take out the trash often and use a can with a tight lid.
• Fix dripping faucets and leaky pipes.
• Seal cracks around cabinets, baseboards, pipes and outlets.
• Recycle cardboard boxes quickly and check used appliances before bringing them inside.

If you use a store-bought insecticide or bait, read the label and follow it exactly.

What professional cockroach treatment involves

A visit starts with an inspection. The technician checks the kitchen, bathrooms and the spaces behind and under appliances, identifies the species and may set sticky monitoring traps to see where activity is heaviest.

For German cockroaches, treatment usually centers on baits placed in cracks and crevices where the roaches hide. Some companies add products that stop young cockroaches from maturing, along with targeted treatments in wall voids. For species that come from outdoors, the work often includes exterior treatment and sealing the gaps and drains they use to get in.

Expect more than one visit. Eggs inside egg cases are protected from many treatments, so new cockroaches can hatch after the first visit. Licensed professionals must use every product according to its label.

Cost depends on the species, how widespread the infestation is, the size of the home, whether neighboring units need treatment and how many follow-up visits the plan includes.

Questions to ask a cockroach control company

1. Are you licensed in this state? You can check a license with your state's pesticide regulatory agency, often part of the department of agriculture.
2. Which species did you find, and where?
3. What products will you use, and where will you put them?
4. How many visits are included, and what happens if the cockroaches come back?
5. What do I need to do before the visit, and should I avoid cleaning treated areas afterward?
6. If I rent or share walls, will you work with my landlord or treat nearby units?

Compare the cockroach control companies listed above and read their reviews before you choose one.