Cockroach control: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What cockroach control is

Cockroach control inspects kitchens, bathrooms and hiding spots for roaches, then applies gel baits, dusts or sprays and advises on sanitation and sealing gaps so the numbers drop. People call when they see roaches during the day, find droppings or egg cases, or notice a musty smell near the sink, the stove or the drains.

Signs you need it

  • Roaches appear during the day, or run across the kitchen counter when a light goes on
  • Small dark droppings that look like coffee grounds or pepper appear near the stove, sink or cabinets
  • Brown or tan egg cases are found in cracks, behind appliances or under drawer liners
  • A musty or oily odor comes from the drains, cabinets or the area under the sink
  • Roaches are coming in from the garage, the wall voids or a neighboring unit and you cannot stop them

What the pro does

  • The technician inspects the kitchen, bathrooms, under sinks, behind appliances and around drains for activity and harborage
  • The species is identified, since German, American and other roaches respond to different methods
  • Gel baits, dusts or sprays are placed in cracks, under appliances and along harborage routes, following the label
  • Gaps around pipes, cabinets, baseboards and outlets are sealed to cut off the roaches' hiding places
  • The technician explains the sanitation steps, such as clearing food and cleaning grease, and schedules a follow-up visit to check the numbers

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Species and the level of infestation, which decide how many visits are needed
  • Number of rooms and the size of the home or unit
  • Number of harborage areas that must be treated, such as cabinets, appliances and wall voids
  • Access to appliances, cabinets and clutter that must be moved for treatment
  • Whether the building is shared, which can affect the treatment plan and visits
  • Sealing and exclusion work included in the plan
  • Number of follow-up visits needed to confirm the roaches are controlled

What a written quote should spell out

  • The species identified and the areas where activity was found
  • The treatment products by name and the method used for each area
  • The rooms and harborage areas that will be treated
  • The sealing work included, and the materials used
  • The sanitation steps you must complete before and after each visit
  • The follow-up schedule and the terms for returns if activity continues

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What roach species is it, and how did you identify it?
  • Where do you put the gel and the dust, and are they safe around kids and pets?
  • Will you move the appliances to treat behind them?
  • What do I need to do to help, and what should I not do, such as spraying store-bought products?
  • How many visits do you plan, and how long before the numbers drop?
  • Do you seal the gaps around the pipes and cabinets?
  • If the building is shared, how do you coordinate with the neighbors?

Red flags

  • They spray foggers or bombs in the kitchen, which do not reach the hiding places
  • They spray open surfaces where food is prepared, without a plan to clean them
  • They promise the roaches will be gone after one visit
  • They do not inspect under sinks, behind appliances or around drains
  • They will not say what products they use or where they are placed

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can clean up food, wipe grease from the stove and cabinets, fix leaky pipes and seal small gaps with caulk; store-bought gel baits can be used as the label directs, placed in cracks and out of reach of children and pets. Do not use foggers or bombs, since they do not reach the roaches in the wall voids and can leave residue on food surfaces. Call a licensed operator for heavy infestations, for roaches in shared buildings, and for treatment inside appliances or wall voids.

Licenses and permits

Cockroach control with pesticides for pay is commonly licensed in many areas, and the operator or technician may need a specific license. Check with your state or local licensing agency before you hire, and ask to see the license that covers the work.

Cockroach control questions

Why do roaches keep coming back after I clean?

Roaches hide in cracks, behind appliances and inside wall voids, so cleaning reduces food but does not reach them all. Ask the operator to treat the hiding places and seal the gaps that let roaches come in.

Are roach gel baits safe around kids?

Gel baits are placed in small amounts in cracks and out of reach, which limits exposure, but children and pets should still be kept away. Follow the label, and ask the operator where each bait goes.

Should I use a fogger for roaches?

No. Foggers do not reach the places roaches hide, and they can leave residue on food-prep surfaces. Ask the operator for a treatment plan that targets the harborage areas instead.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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