How To Get Rid Of Brown Banded Cockroaches

Brown-banded cockroaches (Supella longipalpa) are among the more challenging household cockroaches to eliminate on your own because they thrive in warm, dry areas and can spread throughout a property—often infesting ceilings, furniture, and electronic devices rather than staying near moisture like other cockroaches. However, if a home or business owner wants to tackle them without professional help, here’s the most effective step-by-step approach:

Identify and Locate the Infestation

Brown-banded cockroaches prefer higher, warmer locations, so focus inspection efforts on:

Behind picture frames, clocks, or wall decorations
Inside and under furniture, especially upholstered pieces
Inside electronics (TVs, computers, routers, etc.)
Along ceiling moldings and upper cabinets
Behind light switch plates and electrical outlets

Spotting small, tan egg cases (oothecae) glued to surfaces or tiny dark droppings resembling pepper specks are strong indicators of infestation.

Deep Cleaning and Clutter Reduction

Eliminate all potential hiding and breeding areas:

Remove clutter, cardboard, and paper piles (they lay eggs on these).
Vacuum cracks, furniture, and baseboards thoroughly.
Wipe down all surfaces—especially in kitchens, offices, and storage areas.
Empty trash frequently and keep lids sealed tight.
Avoid leaving out food, crumbs, or grease residue overnight.

Even though brown-banded roaches don’t require moisture like other species, sanitation remains essential to limit their access to food sources.

Targeted Insecticide Treatments

Focus on cracks, crevices, and hiding areas—not open surfaces. Use multiple control methods for best results:

Gel Baits: Apply roach gel bait (containing fipronil, hydramethylnon, or indoxacarb) in small pea-sized dots near activity areas: upper cabinets, inside drawers, behind wall hangings, and around electronics. Replace baits every few weeks to keep them fresh and effective.
Insecticidal Dusts: Use a light application of boric acid or silica gel dust in cracks, voids, and behind electrical outlets (use caution to avoid live wiring). These dry out and kill roaches that come in contact with them over time.
Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs): Apply IGRs (like hydroprene or pyriproxyfen) to disrupt reproduction and prevent immature cockroaches from developing into adults. Combine IGRs with baiting for long-term control.

Seal Entry Points and Hiding Spots

Seal cracks and crevices with caulk or sealant—especially around ceilings, light fixtures, vents, and wall joints.
Repair torn window screens and weatherstripping.
Use outlet covers and seal cable openings where roaches may travel.

Maintain and Monitor

Place sticky traps (roach monitors) in suspected areas to track activity and measure progress.
Re-clean and reapply bait as needed until no more activity is detected.
Continue sanitation and exclusion habits to prevent re-infestation.

If you continue seeing roaches after 3–4 weeks of consistent effort—or if the infestation is widespread across multiple rooms—our professional pest control becomes the most effective solution. Brown-banded cockroaches reproduce quickly and can hide deep within structures, making complete eradication extremely difficult without commercial-grade products and equipment.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Brown Banded Cockroaches

Our professional pest control is the best way to eliminate brown-banded cockroaches (Supella longipalpa) because these cockroaches are exceptionally difficult to fully eradicate with DIY methods. There are several reasons for this:

Expertise in Detection and Inspection

Brown-banded cockroaches are small, elusive, and prefer high, dry areas—often hiding behind ceilings, light fixtures, picture frames, furniture, and electronics. Our professional technicians have the training and experience to:

Identify the species accurately
Locate all infestation hotspots, including hard-to-reach or hidden areas
Recognize signs that are often overlooked by homeowners, such as tiny egg cases and subtle droppings

Without this precision, DIY efforts may only treat visible areas, leaving much of the population untouched.

Access to Professional-Grade Products

Our professionals use commercial-grade insecticides and bait formulations that are more effective and longer-lasting than over-the-counter products.
We can safely apply residual insecticides in voids, behind walls, or around electrical fixtures—places where DIY products often cannot safely reach.
We combine multiple treatment methods (baits, dusts, insect growth regulators, residual sprays) strategically for maximum impact.

This ensures the elimination of both adult cockroaches and immature stages (nymphs), which DIY products often fail to control.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Approach

Our professional pest control services employ an IPM strategy, combining:

Sanitation guidance
Habitat modification (sealing entry points and reducing clutter)
Monitoring with traps
Targeted chemical treatments

This holistic approach attacks the problem from multiple angles, reducing the likelihood of reinfestation—something most DIY treatments cannot achieve effectively.

Faster, More Reliable Results

Brown-banded cockroaches reproduce quickly and hide in inaccessible areas. DIY efforts often take weeks or months with inconsistent results. Our professional services:

Provide rapid reduction of the population
Target egg cases and nymphs before they mature
Reduce the risk of persistent or spreading infestations

This is especially important for businesses, where infestations can affect reputation, hygiene standards, and compliance with health codes.

Safety and Proper Application

Our professionals know how to use insecticides safely, minimizing risks to children, pets, and sensitive environments.
We apply the correct concentrations and combinations, ensuring effective control without overuse of chemicals.

DIY methods often rely on trial-and-error applications, which can be unsafe or ineffective.

Brown-banded cockroaches hide, reproduce quickly, and resist casual treatments. Our professional pest control provides the expertise, tools, and comprehensive strategy needed to eliminate the infestation completely and prevent it from returning.