How to Get Rid of Roaches

To get rid of roaches for good, you need to do three things at once: kill the roaches already inside with targeted baits and treatments, remove the food, water and clutter that keep them alive, and seal the gaps they use to get in. Sprays alone rarely solve a Florida roach problem. 

Pests of any kind are concerning, but roaches in particular are especially distressing. Many products promise a quick fix, and some work for a while, but they do not address keeping roaches out. Here is how to deal with roaches the way a professional would. 

Know Which Roach You Are Dealing With 

Not every roach in a Pinellas County home is the same pest, and the right plan depends on the type. 

• German cockroaches are small, light brown and live indoors, usually in kitchens and bathrooms. They breed quickly, so a few can grow into a large infestation within a few months. 

• American cockroaches, often called palmetto bugs, are large and reddish brown. They live outdoors, in sewers and in drains, and wander inside, especially after heavy rain. 

• Smokybrown and Australian cockroaches live in mulch, gutters, leaf litter and attics, and slip in through gaps around roof lines, doors and windows. 

Small roaches in the kitchen during the day usually point to a German cockroach problem that has been growing for a while. That calls for a different approach than the occasional big palmetto bug on the lanai. 

Kill the Roaches Already Inside 

Store bought sprays kill the roaches you can see, but most of the population hides behind cabinets, under appliances and inside wall voids. These methods reach them: 

• Gel baits placed in small dots near hiding spots. Roaches eat the bait and carry it back to others. 

• Insect growth regulators, which stop young roaches from becoming breeding adults. 

• Dusts placed by a professional inside wall voids and other hidden spaces. 

Do not spray over bait. Repellent sprays make roaches avoid the bait, which slows everything down. Always follow label directions and keep any product away from children and pets. 

Seal the Way In 

Roaches often hitchhike inside cardboard boxes, paper bags and packages left on your porch, so check deliveries before bringing them in. The bigger source of entry, though, starts with the cracks, crevices and holes around your foundation. 

Sealing these openings keeps roaches out. Focus on: 

• Gaps where plumbing and electrical lines pass through block walls 

• Doors without sweeps, including the door from the garage 

• Worn garage door seals and torn screens on windows and attic vents 

• Openings around drainpipes, sewer cleanouts and dryer vents 

Older Clearwater and Dunedin homes tend to have more of these gaps, so a slow walk around the outside with a tube of sealant pays off. 

Take Away Food, Water and Shelter 

Make your space uninteresting to roaches and other pests. Florida humidity already gives them plenty of moisture, so do not give them more. 

• Clean food prep and serving areas after each meal or snack. 

• Wash dishes right away instead of leaving them in the sink overnight. 

• Sweep or vacuum food areas regularly, including under the toaster and stove. 

• Store dry pantry items in airtight glass, metal or hard plastic containers. 

• Keep your indoor trash area and outdoor bins clean and sanitized. 

• Fix dripping faucets and leaks under sinks, and pick up pet bowls at night. 

• Get rid of clutter and avoid storing cardboard in your attic or garage. 

• Pull mulch and leaf piles back a few inches from the foundation. 

Our guide to clearing pests out of the kitchen has more tips for the room roaches love most. 

When Roaches Keep Coming Back 

If you have a severe roach problem and nothing seems to work, a cracked plumbing pipe or sewer line may be the culprit. A plumber can use a camera or smoke test to find a cracked pipe that is letting roaches in. Dry drains in guest bathrooms can also let sewer roaches up, so run water in unused sinks and showers every week or two. 

German cockroaches that survive store bought products usually need a professional plan with repeat visits until activity stops. Our cockroach control service starts with an inspection to find where they are hiding and how they are getting in. 

Roach FAQ 

Why do I see more roaches after it rains? 

Heavy Florida rain floods the sewers, drains, mulch beds and tree holes where American and smokybrown cockroaches live. They move to higher, drier ground, and your home is often the closest option. Sealing gaps around doors, plumbing and garage seals before the summer rainy season cuts down on these visitors a lot. 

Are roaches harmful to my family? 

Roaches walk through drains, garbage and other dirty places, so they can carry germs onto counters, dishes and food. Their droppings and shed skins can also trigger allergies and asthma, especially in children. Clean any surface where you see roach activity, store food in sealed containers, and deal with an infestation quickly. 

How long does it take to get rid of roaches? 

It depends on the type of roach and how big the problem is. Occasional outdoor roaches often drop off soon after a perimeter treatment and some sealing work. An established German cockroach infestation usually takes several weeks and more than one visit, because eggs keep hatching after the first treatment. 

Ready to stop seeing roaches? Call Uprooted Weed & Pest Control at (727) 871-0721 or request a free estimate.