How To Get Rid Of American Cockroaches
American cockroaches are one of the largest and most resilient cockroach species, and because they can live both indoors and outdoors, they’re difficult to eliminate without professional help. That said, a home or business owner can take several steps to reduce or potentially eliminate them on their own if the infestation isn’t severe. The best approach is a combination of sanitation, exclusion, and targeted treatments:
Eliminate Food and Water Sources
Clean thoroughly: Sweep, mop, and wipe down all surfaces daily to remove crumbs, grease, and food residue.
Store food securely: Keep all food in sealed containers and avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
Fix leaks: Repair dripping faucets, leaking pipes, and condensation issues, since cockroaches need water to survive.
Empty trash regularly: Use tight-fitting lids and take out garbage frequently.
Reduce Harborage Areas
Declutter: Cardboard boxes, stacks of paper, and cluttered storage areas provide ideal hiding spots.
Seal entry points: Use caulk or weatherstripping to close cracks around doors, windows, pipes, and baseboards.
Inspect drains: American cockroaches often come up from sewers. Install drain covers or clean drains regularly with enzymatic cleaners.
DIY Treatment Methods
Gel baits: Apply cockroach gel bait (such as those with fipronil or hydramethylnon) in cracks, crevices, and areas where you see activity. These work better than sprays because cockroaches share the poison with others.
Bait stations: Place in high-traffic areas (kitchen, bathrooms, basements, utility rooms).
Boric acid dust: Lightly apply in dry, hidden areas (under appliances, behind cabinets). Roaches walk through it and ingest it while grooming. Use sparingly—too much repels them.
Insect growth regulators (IGRs): These prevent roaches from reaching maturity and reproducing, helping break the life cycle.
Glue traps: Place sticky traps along walls and near suspected entry points to monitor activity and reduce numbers.
Ongoing Maintenance
Regular inspection: Monitor with glue traps to track progress.
Reapply baits: Refresh bait placements regularly, especially if they dry out.
Outdoor control: Keep mulch, leaf litter, and woodpiles away from the building’s foundation. Trim vegetation and seal gaps around doors.
If you’re seeing large numbers of American cockroaches, spotting them during the day, or noticing activity even after taking these steps, the infestation is likely severe or potentially tied to sewer lines.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of American Cockroaches
American cockroaches are among the most difficult pests to eliminate. While DIY methods like baits and sanitation can reduce numbers, these pests breed rapidly, spread disease, and often originate from hidden sources such as sewers, crawlspaces, and wall voids. Because of this, our professional pest control is the most effective and reliable solution.
Accurate Identification and Inspection
Our professionals know how to correctly identify American cockroaches versus other species (German, Oriental, or Smokybrown). Each species requires different treatment strategies. Our experts also conduct thorough inspections to pinpoint entry points, breeding sites, and harborage zones that the average property owner might overlook.
Access to Professional-Grade Products
Store-bought sprays and baits have limited effectiveness and often provide only temporary relief. Our licensed pest control technicians use stronger, targeted products such as residual insecticides, specialized gels, and insect growth regulators. These break the life cycle and control infestations at every stage—from eggs to adults.
Targeted Application
American cockroaches often live deep in drains, wall voids, basements, and sewers—areas that are difficult to reach safely without professional equipment. Our pest control experts apply treatments directly into these hidden areas with precision tools, ensuring maximum effectiveness while minimizing risk to people, pets, and the environment.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Approach
Rather than relying on chemicals alone, our professionals combine multiple methods: sanitation recommendations, structural exclusion, monitoring, and strategic treatments. This holistic approach not only eliminates current infestations but also prevents future outbreaks.
Faster and More Reliable Results
DIY methods often require weeks or months of persistence, and infestations may rebound if even a few roaches survive. Our professional services are designed to achieve rapid knockdown and long-term protection, saving property owners time, stress, and repeated expense.
Health and Safety Protection
American cockroaches are known carriers of bacteria, allergens, and pathogens that can contaminate food, kitchen surfaces, and air quality. Our professional pest control minimizes exposure to these health hazards and ensures treatments are applied safely.
Ongoing Monitoring and Prevention
We provide ongoing service plans that include regular inspections and preventative treatments. This provides peace of mind that cockroaches—and other pests—will not return.
While DIY efforts can reduce cockroach numbers temporarily, our professional pest control delivers the combination of expertise, powerful tools, and long-term prevention needed to completely eliminate American cockroach infestations.
Get Rid Of American Cockroaches With Miche Pest Control
Hiring our team of professionals at Miche Pest Control is an investment in long-term protection, expertise, and peace of mind. Here’s why:
- Personalized Service and Local Expertise: We know the specific pest pressures in the area—such as seasonal rodent activity, regional ant species, or local termite threats. Our technicians understand the environment, climate, and building types common to the area, allowing them to provide targeted, effective treatments.
- High-Quality, Comprehensive Solutions: As a full-service provider, we doe’t just treat surface problems; we address the root causes. From inspections and prevention to exclusion and ongoing maintenance, we deliver complete, integrated pest management (IPM) programs designed to both eliminate infestations and prevent future ones.
- Accountability and Reliability: We live and die by our reputation. We rely on trust, referrals, and repeat business, meaning we're committed to doing the job right the first time and providing exceptional customer care.
- Faster Response Times: We respond quickly to emergencies and schedule services sooner than large, national chains. Especially when you’re dealing with urgent pest issues like rodents or wasps, that speed matters.
- Customized Treatment Plans: We tailor our services to your property’s specific needs instead of using one-size-fits-all chemical treatments. This results in safer, more effective pest control that minimizes environmental impact and reduces unnecessary pesticide use.
- Highly Trained, Experienced Technicians: We invest in training, certification, and continuing education for our technicians. We stay current on the latest pest biology, control techniques, and safety standards.
- Long-Term Prevention and Value: Our focus on providing quality service means fewer callbacks, longer-lasting protection, and better value over time. Instead of repeated, temporary fixes, you get strategic solutions that protect your home or business for the long run and provide better peace of mind.
Hiring our team means you get expertise you can trust, faster service, safer and more effective treatments, and long-term results that protect both your property and your peace of mind. Contact us today!