How to Get Rid of Roaches for Good

Which cockroach do you have?

Knowing the species tells you where to look and whether the roaches are living inside or just wandering in. UC IPM describes four common household species ^[1]:

Species	Size and look	Where it lives
German	About 1/2 inch, light brown, two dark stripes behind the head	Kitchens and bathrooms, warm and humid spots near food
Brownbanded	About 1/2 inch, light bands across the wings and body	Behind pictures, inside furniture legs and appliances, in clutter
Oriental	About 1 1/4 inches, almost black, short wings	Cool, damp basements, drains, garages
American	About 2 inches, reddish brown, pale edge behind the head	Sewers, storm drains, water meter boxes; wanders indoors

Penn State Extension calls the German cockroach the most common roach in homes and apartments, usually found near dishwashers, stoves and sinks, hiding in cracks by day ^[2]. If you see small roaches in the kitchen or bathroom, assume German cockroaches until proven otherwise, because they breed entirely indoors. The big American and Oriental roaches usually come in from outdoors or drains, so sealing gaps and fixing moisture matter most for them.

Not sure what you caught? Try our bug identifier or read the cockroach profile.

Why do roaches keep coming back?

Roaches come back because a few survivors rebuild the population fast. UC IPM says a German cockroach female carries a beige egg case until a day or two before it hatches, each case holds about 30 young, and she can make a new one every few weeks. By UC IPM's estimate, one female and her offspring can produce over 30,000 roaches in a year. Penn State's figures are similar in spirit: up to 48 eggs per case and more than 10,000 descendants a year, assuming two generations ^[2].

That math explains two things. First, killing the roaches you see does little if egg cases and nymphs stay hidden. Second, any plan has to keep working for weeks, not just one evening.

How do you cut off food, water and hiding places?

Start here, because every other step works better once roaches are hungry. UC IPM's non-chemical steps are the core of a lasting fix ^[1]:

• Food: store food in sealed containers, keep trash in lidded bins, wipe up crumbs and spills right away, and do not leave dirty dishes or pet food out overnight.
• Water: fix dripping faucets and leaking pipes, and improve ventilation where condensation builds up.
• Clutter: get rid of stacks of paper bags and cardboard, which give roaches shelter.
• Cracks: caulk gaps where pipes pass through walls and around cabinets, and add door sweeps and weather stripping.
• Vacuuming: vacuum cracks to remove roaches, shed skins, droppings and egg cases. UC IPM suggests a vacuum with a HEPA or triple filter to keep allergens from blowing around.

Then set sticky traps to find the hot spots. Put them where walls meet floors, inside cabinets and under appliances, and check them daily for several days. Penn State suggests ten or more trap sites for about a week to map an infestation. The traps with the most roaches show where to focus baits. Our guides to the kitchen and bathroom list other pests that use the same hiding spots.

Which roach baits work best, and how do you use them?

Baits are the main pesticide tool for cockroaches. UC IPM says gel baits go in small dabs into cracks where roaches hide or travel, while bait stations hold the insecticide in tamper-resistant containers that can reduce exposure for people and pets ^[1]. Penn State also calls baiting an effective way to control or eliminate German cockroaches.

Read and follow the label. The label is the law. Use only EPA-registered products labeled for cockroaches and for indoor use, and keep every bait, gel and dust where children and pets cannot reach it.

How to get the most from baits:

1. Place them close. Baits do not draw roaches from far away, so put them right where your sticky traps caught the most roaches, along walls, under appliances and inside cabinets.
2. Be patient. UC IPM says it may take 7 days or longer before you see fewer roaches.
3. Do not spray near baits. Sprays can repel roaches and scatter them to new areas, which defeats the bait.
4. Keep it clean. Removing other food makes the bait the best meal in the house.
5. Refresh as needed. Gel baits can harden and need reapplying.

Dusts are a second option for hidden voids. UC IPM says boric acid dust works best as a very thin film in cracks and under appliances where people will not touch it, must stay dry, can take 7 days or more, and should not be used outdoors because it harms plants. Penn State lists boric acid, silica aerogel and diatomaceous earth dusts for cracks and crevices, kept away from children and pets. The same label rule applies to every dust.

If ants are also raiding your kitchen, see our ant guide for how to handle them.

Do bug bombs get rid of roaches?

Usually not, and they carry real risks. NPIC explains that foggers release a mist that settles on exposed surfaces and does not reach into voids, cracks and crevices where pests hide, and it says foggers may not work on hiding pests such as cockroaches and bed bugs ^[3]. NPIC adds that using extra foggers will not control pests any better than the number on the label, that fogger contents can catch fire, and that foggers may pose more risks to children and people with asthma. Penn State likewise says residual sprays and foggers are of little value and may scatter roaches.

If you still choose a fogger, EPA's safety precautions say to use no more than one per room, keep it at least six feet from pilot lights, flames and appliances that switch on and off, remove children and pets, and stay out until the label's waiting time has passed ^[4]. For roaches, a bug bomb mostly spreads the problem around while the colony stays hidden. The same is true for bed bugs.

When should you call a pest professional?

Call a licensed pest professional when roaches are still showing up after several weeks of cleaning, sealing and baiting, when you see them in many rooms, or when you live in an apartment where neighbors share walls and pipes. UC IPM recommends a professional for serious indoor infestations and large or complex problems. Penn State notes that roaches seen in daylight can be a sign of a heavy population. Roaches matter for health too: UC IPM says indoor cockroach allergens are a risk factor for asthma in children, and roaches can carry bacteria that cause food poisoning. If someone in your home has asthma, mention the roaches to their doctor. For other kitchen invaders, see our guides to mice and all get-rid-of guides.