Which Cockroach Do You Have?
| Species | What it looks like | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| German cockroach | About half an inch, tan with two dark stripes behind the head | Kitchens and bathrooms, behind the fridge and stove, in cabinet hinges, inside appliances |
| American cockroach | About 1.5 inches or more, reddish brown, can fly short distances | Floor drains, bathtubs, garages, water heater closets, crawlspaces, at night on patios |
| Oriental cockroach | About 1 inch, shiny dark brown to black | Damp, cool spots: under sinks, crawlspaces, around leaking hose bibs |
Signs of a Cockroach Infestation
- Roaches running when you turn on the kitchen or bathroom light
- Live roaches seen during the day, which usually means a heavy infestation
- Black specks like coarse pepper along cabinet hinges, drawers and the top edges of door frames
- Brown, capsule-shaped egg cases behind appliances or in cabinet corners
- Shed skins and dead roaches in drawers or under appliances
- A musty, oily smell in cabinets when the infestation is large
- Large roaches coming out of floor drains or the bathtub at night
Why Cockroaches Get Into Homes
German cockroaches almost always come in with something: grocery boxes, used appliances, furniture, cardboard or moving boxes, or from a neighboring unit. Once inside, they breed fast in warm, humid areas close to food and water. American and Oriental cockroaches come from outside, mostly from sewer lines, storm drains and damp landscaping, and get in through drains, gaps under doors, crawlspace vents and plumbing penetrations.
How Cockroach Treatment Works
German cockroach treatment
- Inspection with a flashlight in the kitchen and bathrooms: hinges, behind appliances, under sinks, inside motor compartments, electrical outlets and cracks around counters. Sticky monitors may be placed to show where activity is heaviest.
- Gel bait placed in small amounts in the cracks and crevices where roaches hide and travel.
- Insect growth regulator that stops young roaches from maturing and breeding.
- Crack-and-crevice dusts or sprays in wall voids and hollow spaces where appropriate.
- Follow-up about two to three weeks later to reapply bait and treat the next generation that hatches from protected egg cases.
American and Oriental cockroach treatment
Treatment targets the entry points and outdoor harborage: floor drains, cleanouts, crawlspace and slab edges, water heater closets, garage corners and damp planter beds. Granular baits outside, perimeter treatment at the foundation and door thresholds, and sealing gaps at plumbing penetrations and under doors stop the invasion from outside.
What Affects Cockroach Treatment Cost
The biggest cost factors are the species and how many rooms or units are involved. An American cockroach problem is usually handled with a perimeter and drain treatment. A German cockroach infestation needs detailed indoor work and at least one follow-up, and a heavy infestation needs more visits. Other factors:
- Number of kitchens and bathrooms
- Clutter or stored items that hide roaches and need to be worked around
- Shared walls with other units, where adjoining units may need treatment
- Commercial kitchens with heavy equipment, where treatment has to be scheduled around business hours
When a Cockroach Problem Needs Immediate Service
- Cockroaches in a restaurant, commercial kitchen or food storage area, especially before a health inspection
- Cockroaches in the home of someone with asthma. Cockroach droppings and body parts are a known asthma trigger, especially for children
- German cockroaches found in a rental unit between tenants
- Many roaches coming out of drains after a sewer backup or plumbing work
How Oxnard's Coastal Humidity Affects Cockroaches
Oxnard's marine layer keeps humidity high for much of the year, often around 70 percent on average in summer. Cockroaches need moisture, and in this climate crawlspaces, water heater closets, sub-floors and drains in coastal homes stay damp enough to support American and Oriental cockroaches without a leak. The low-lying areas near the harbors and the beach also have high groundwater and plenty of storm drains. For homeowners that means drain traps that dry out in guest bathrooms, loose floor drain covers and gaps around plumbing under sinks are common entry points. Running water in unused drains and fixing plumbing gaps makes the treatment last longer.
How to Prepare for a Cockroach Treatment
- Empty the cabinets under the kitchen and bathroom sinks.
- Put food, dishes and utensils away in closed containers or the fridge.
- Don't use store-bought sprays or foggers for a few days before the visit. They can make roaches avoid the bait.
- Leave the bait in place; don't wipe inside cabinet hinges or corners for a couple of weeks.
- Expect to see some roaches for a week or two as they come out and feed on bait. That's normal. If you still see many after three weeks, call us.
Cockroach treatment is part of our full pest control service in Oxnard, CA. If you are dealing with ants in the same kitchen, both can be treated during the same visit. Cockroaches and bed bugs both spread between apartments, so the approach to shared buildings is similar.