German Cockroaches

Are these the same as the big roaches I see outside?

No, and the difference matters. The big ones, American and smokybrown cockroaches, live outside around the house and wander in now and then, usually when the weather changes. Those are covered by Regular Service. German cockroaches are small and live indoors, usually in the kitchen or bathroom, close to water and warmth. Treating the outside of the house won't touch them.

How did they get in?

They hitchhike, usually in cardboard boxes and bags, so they turn up in all kinds of homes. Having them says nothing about how you keep house. Once they're in, they reach breeding age in about a month, compared with about a year for the big outdoor ones, which is why a few can turn into a lot.

How do you get rid of them?

We start with an inspection, and we usually put out a few glue boards, which are just sticky paper with no pesticide, to see exactly what we're dealing with and where. Then we do the bulk of the work up front: pulling out the fridge and stove, treating the cracks and gaps in the cabinets where they hide, and coming back for follow-up visits until they're cleared out. With German cockroaches, the right product in the right place at the right time matters more than how much gets sprayed.

How long does it take?

It usually takes more than one visit. How many depends on how big the population is and how long it's been building. We'll tell you what we see at the inspection.

How is it billed?

German cockroach work is separate from Regular Service. It's usually a cleanout with follow-up visits, with no long-term agreement required. Monthly and as-needed service are options too, if one of those fits better.