Cockroaches in Valley homes
German cockroaches and American cockroaches are both common in the Valley, and they're not the same fight. German cockroaches are small, live indoors near kitchens and bathrooms, and multiply fast. American cockroaches, often called sewer roaches, are bigger, come up through drains and pipes, and tend to show up one at a time.
CockroachesHow to tell it's this one
- German cockroaches are small, about half an inch, tan with two dark stripes behind the head, and stay close to kitchens and bathrooms
- American cockroaches, sometimes called sewer roaches, are reddish brown, over an inch long and come up through drains
- A musty, oily smell in cabinets with a heavy infestation
- Small, dark droppings that look like coffee grounds or pepper flakes along cabinet edges
- Egg cases that look like small dark capsules tucked into cracks
Where it hides in Valley homes
- Under sinks and around leaking pipes
- Behind refrigerators and dishwashers
- Inside cabinet voids and cracks
- Floor drains and around water heaters
When it shows up
From our own route records, month by month.
What to do right now
- 1Fix any leaking pipes under sinks, German cockroaches need a water source close by
- 2Don't leave dirty dishes out overnight
- 3Run water down rarely used floor drains so the trap stays full
- 4Take trash out before bed instead of letting it sit
How Facility handles cockroaches
We treat German cockroaches with targeted gel bait and growth regulators placed in cabinet voids and cracks where they actually live, not a visible spray that pushes them deeper into the walls. American cockroaches get drain and perimeter treatment since they're traveling up from the sewer line rather than nesting in your kitchen. Low toxicity, environmentally friendly products are used throughout, backed by our 30 day guarantee.
Cockroaches questions
What's the difference between a German and American cockroach?
German cockroaches are small, about half an inch, tan with two dark stripes, and live indoors close to kitchens and bathrooms where they multiply quickly. American cockroaches, sometimes called sewer roaches, are over an inch long, reddish brown, and travel up through drains and pipes rather than nesting inside cabinets.
Why do I see roaches come up through my drain?
American cockroaches live in sewer lines and drain systems and travel up through infrequently used drains, especially ones that have dried out and lost their water trap seal. Running water down rarely used floor drains keeps that seal in place and makes it much harder for them to come up.
Are cockroaches in my house a sign it's dirty?
Not necessarily. German cockroaches need very little, a water source and a few food crumbs are enough, so they can turn up in a well kept kitchen just as easily as a messy one. American cockroaches are coming from the sewer system entirely, which has nothing to do with how clean the house is.
How fast do German cockroaches multiply?
Very fast, a single female can produce dozens of offspring in one egg case, and a new generation can mature in as little as a month under the right conditions. That's why a small number of German cockroaches can turn into a real infestation within just a few weeks if it isn't treated.
Will one roach in my kitchen mean an infestation?
One cockroach isn't automatically an infestation, especially if it's an American cockroach that wandered up from a drain, but it's worth taking seriously since German cockroaches multiply fast and hide well. If you keep seeing them, especially at night, it's worth having it checked before numbers build.
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