Cockroaches

Jump to
 About cockroaches
Species
Signs
Prevention
Control

About cockroaches

These pests are outside the authority of the Vector Control Program. We offer educational information but do not control or regulate these pests. 

Cockroaches are pests and a danger to public health. They can spread diseases and germs, contaminate food with droppings, and cause damage by chewing.

They prefer to live in warm, damp areas like sewers, bathrooms, cabinets, furniture, electrical appliances, basements, porches, or crawl spaces. 

Species

Four types of cockroaches are likely to cause problems:

German cockroach

German Cockroach (most common)

Light brown, 3/4" long. Prefers damp, warm places inside the home, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

American cockroach

American Cockroach

 

Reddish-brown, 1-1/2" long. Prefers warm, damp places outdoors, such as sewers and water meters.

Oriental cockroach

Oriental Cockroach

Black, 1-1/4" long. Prefers damp, cooler sites, such as water-meter curb boxes, trash piles, shrubbery, and other protected outdoor areas, as well as basements and sometimes sewers.

Banded cockroach

Banded Cockroach

Light brown, 1/2" long. Prefers warm, dry places. Found anywhere in the house including furniture, closets, and around the ceiling. Less common in restaurants.

Cockroach signs

You may see live cockroaches, but also look for:

  • Old skins shed by nymphs
  • Small, leather-like egg cases
  • Droppings that look like coffee grounds along runways
  • Brownish stains along cracks
  • Sour, musky odors
  • Dead cockroaches
Cockroach eggs

Prevention

Cockroaches need food, water, access and hiding places to infest a building. Eliminating them takes a team effort by management, tenants, and pest control.

Please see our video on Keeping Your Restaurant Vermin-Free

Management:

  • Repair all holes and cracks in walls, ceilings, and floors to block access and hiding places
  • Use and maintain door sweeps to make sure that exterior doors seal well to thresholds
  • Repair all plumbing leaks in bathrooms and kitchen (water sources)

Tenant:

  • Report the first sign of cockroaches to management in writing and save a copy
  • Eliminate water sources and quickly clean up spills
  • Store food in tightly sealed containers
  • Do not leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight
  • Do not leave a pet's water or food dish out overnight
  • Report plumbing leaks to the building manager
  • Follow pest control operator's pre-treatment instructions for your unit

Pest Control Operator:

  • Properly treat all infested units and inspect neighboring units as well as affected units during follow up inspections 
  • Recommend to manager ways to properly exclude cockroaches

Control

Always keep insecticides out of reach of children and pets.

Insecticides can provide temporary control. Always read and follow the label carefully.

  • Contact sprays kill cockroaches on contact. They may last on surfaces up to a few hours or more. If sprayed in kitchen or bath areas, wash areas well.
  • Residual sprays come in different forms and may last a few weeks or months. Apply in cracks and crevices and along runways, as the label directs.
  • Dusts are used between walls or cracks and crevices. Use dusts only in dry, void spaces under cabinets, stoves, TVs, stereos, refrigerators and where it will not contaminate food.
  • Baits can be used where there is little for cockroaches to eat.

For more information, please see A Guide to Safely Controlling Pests in Your Home

Questions?

  858-694-2888

  vector@sdcounty.ca.gov

 

German Cockroach photo by Lmbuga
American Cockroach photo by Sputniktilt
Oriental Cockroach photo by Gail Hampshire
Banded Cockroach photo by James L. Castner, University of Florida