Few things make a home feel less like home than a cockroach running across the kitchen floor at night. In North Texas we deal with two main kinds. German cockroaches are small, tan and breed fast indoors, mostly in kitchens and bathrooms. American cockroaches, the big reddish-brown "water bugs," live in drains, sewers, mulch and crawl spaces and wander inside, especially in summer. We also see smoky brown and Oriental cockroaches. Each one needs a different plan, and that's where we start.
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Signs of a cockroach problem
Roaches running when you turn on the kitchen or bathroom light at night
Small black droppings like pepper or coffee grounds in cabinets, drawers and behind appliances
Brown, purse-shaped egg cases behind the fridge, under sinks or in cabinet hinges
A musty, oily smell in heavy infestations
Shed skins near the dishwasher, microwave or water heater
German vs. American cockroaches
Size: German cockroach: About ½ inch; American cockroach: About 1½ inches
Color: German cockroach: Tan with two dark stripes behind the head; American cockroach: Reddish-brown
Where they live: German cockroach: Inside: kitchens, bathrooms, appliances; American cockroach: Outside and in drains, sewers, mulch, crawl spaces
What it means: German cockroach: They're breeding indoors. Act fast.; American cockroach: They're
coming in from outside. Seal and treat entry points.
How we treat cockroaches
Inspect and identify. We find the species and the places they're hiding and breeding: behind appliances, in cabinet voids, under sinks, around the water heater.
Targeted treatment. For German roaches we use baits and growth regulators placed in cracks and crevices where they live, not just a spray across the floor. For American roaches we treat drains, the foundation, mulch beds and entry points.
30-day follow-up. German cockroach egg cases hatch on their own schedule. Our follow-up visit 30 days after the first service is built for exactly that.
Quarterly protection. Our quarterly plan covers roaches inside and out, garage included, and re-treatments between visits are free. Prefer something greener? Ask about our organic program on a two-month schedule.
Commercial programs. Restaurants, apartments and offices get a commercial plan with documentation for health inspections.
What you can do at home
Don't leave dishes, pet food or crumbs out overnight.
Fix dripping faucets and leaks under sinks. Roaches need water more than food.
Seal gaps around pipes under sinks and behind appliances.
Keep drains clean, and run water in rarely used sinks and tubs so the traps don't dry out.
Check grocery bags, used appliances and cardboard boxes before you bring them inside. German roaches often hitchhike in.
Skip foggers. They scatter roaches into walls and rarely reach the egg cases.
Where we see roaches most in Collin County
Older homes in Plano, Wylie and downtown McKinney see more American cockroaches from drains and crawl spaces. Apartments and homes near restaurant districts see more German cockroaches. Newer homes in Princeton and Murphy usually get them from moving boxes, used appliances or groceries.
Cockroach control FAQ
I only see one roach once in a while. Is that a problem?
One big American cockroach in summer is often a stray from outside. Small tan roaches, or roaches during the day, usually mean a German cockroach population is breeding indoors. Call us.
Do roaches mean my house is dirty?
No. American cockroaches come in from drains and outdoors no matter how clean the house is. German cockroaches often hitchhike in on boxes or appliances.
How long until the roaches are gone?
You'll usually see far fewer within a couple of weeks. German cockroaches take the 30-day follow-up to clear the next hatch.
Are your roach treatments safe for kids and pets?
We use targeted baits and crack-and-crevice treatments, and we tell you what we use and where before we treat. Our organic option is available too.
Do you treat restaurants and apartments?
Yes. Our commercial program covers restaurants, retail, offices and apartment communities.
Can roaches come in from a neighbor's home or apartment?
Yes. German cockroaches travel through shared walls, plumbing and boxes. In apartments and duplexes, treating neighboring units at the same time works best.
Do you treat roaches in the garage and outside too?
Yes. Our quarterly plan treats inside, outside and the garage, which is where American cockroaches often get in.
Related pages
Get your free estimate
Tell us what you're seeing and where. Request a free estimate, or call (469) 340-0200 (office: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm).
Around the Block Pest Control: family-owned and Christian-owned · 8720 Silverado Trail, STE 3B, McKinney, TX 75070 · TX license #0782331 · Serving McKinney, Allen, Plano, Frisco, Prosper and Collin County since 2012