The right cockroach treatment depends on the species. German cockroaches breed indoors and usually need gel baits, growth regulators, and follow-up visits. Larger American and smokybrown roaches typically wander in from outside and are handled with exterior treatment, moisture reduction, and sealing entry points. Avoid foggers, which can scatter roaches.
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Cockroaches are among the most common pest calls in Metro Atlanta. The right treatment depends on which roach you have, because indoor-breeding species and outdoor species that wander inside behave very differently. Roaches can also aggravate allergies and asthma, which is one more reason to deal with them promptly.
Know your roach
- German cockroach. Small, light brown, with two dark stripes behind the head. It lives and breeds indoors, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, and populations can grow quickly. Seeing them in daylight often means a large infestation.
- American cockroach. Large and reddish-brown, often called a "palmetto bug" in the South. It usually lives outdoors, in sewers, or in damp crawlspaces and wanders inside.
- Smokybrown cockroach. Large, dark, and shiny. Common in the Southeast around trees, mulch, gutters, and attics, and often comes in from outside.
- Oriental cockroach. Dark and slow-moving, found in damp, cool areas like basements and drains.
How professionals treat roaches
- German roaches are usually treated inside with gel baits, bait stations, and insect growth regulators placed in cracks, under appliances, and inside cabinet hinges. Follow-up visits are common because eggs keep hatching.
- Outdoor species are usually handled with exterior treatment, reducing moisture and harborage, and sealing entry points, with indoor treatment only where needed.
Store-bought sprays and foggers can scatter German roaches deeper into walls and may interfere with baits. If you plan to call a professional, hold off and tell the technician what you've already used.
Help the treatment work
- Clean up crumbs, grease, and spills, and don't leave dishes or pet food out overnight.
- Fix dripping faucets and leaks under sinks. Roaches need water.
- Reduce clutter such as cardboard boxes, paper bags, and stacks of newspapers.
- Seal gaps around plumbing and behind appliances.
- Keep gutters clean and mulch pulled back from the foundation to discourage outdoor roaches.
- Inspect secondhand appliances, furniture, and grocery boxes before bringing them in.
Apartments, condos, and townhomes
In multifamily buildings, German roaches can travel between units through shared walls and plumbing. Treating one unit may not solve the problem if neighboring units are infested. Talk with your landlord or HOA about coordinated treatment.
Questions to ask
- Which species do I have, and how does that change the plan?
- How many visits do you expect, and is follow-up included?
- What should I do to prepare the kitchen and bathrooms before you arrive?
Tired of seeing roaches? Request a pest control company and let us know where you're seeing them.
Frequently asked questions
What is a palmetto bug?
"Palmetto bug" is a Southern nickname usually used for large outdoor roaches such as the American cockroach. They often live outside or in damp crawlspaces and wander indoors.
Why do I still see roaches after treatment?
With baits, roaches may be more visible for a short time as they're affected, and eggs laid before treatment continue to hatch. That's why follow-up visits are common, especially for German roaches.
Can roaches spread from my neighbor's apartment?
Yes. German roaches can travel through shared walls and plumbing in multifamily buildings, so coordinated treatment across units is often needed.