Where do exterminators look for roaches?

Author: Prof. Destiny Hammes DDS  |  Last update: Thursday, November 13, 2025

Roaches are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night, making them elusive during the day. They are most likely to be found in kitchens and bathrooms, allowing them to stay close to food and water. Some common places where roaches hide are behind refrigerators, under sinks and in dark drawers and cabinets.

How do exterminators check for cockroaches?

Roaches are nocturnal so roach inspections are usually conducted at night. Most roach infestations start in the kitchen and/or bathroom so your inspection should be concentrated in these areas. You will be looking for adult roaches, juvenile roaches, roach eggs and roach feces.

How to figure out where roaches are coming from?

  1. Cracks in Walls and Foundations. Gaps and cracks are easy entryways for roaches. ...
  2. Doorways. Slipping into your home underneath a door is another common way for a roach to get inside. ...
  3. Plumbing Lines. Roaches are drawn to spaces with moisture, warmth and food. ...
  4. Packages, Bags, and Clothing. ...
  5. Basements.

Where do exterminators spray for roaches?

Interior Spaces

Because of food supplies, pests such as ants, cockroaches, and pantry moths are frequently encountered in these places. Pest control professionals will spray along baseboards, worktops, under sinks, and inside cabinets to eliminate existing pests and prevent new infestations.

How long does it take for an exterminator to get rid of roaches?

The time it takes to get rid of cockroaches varies with various factors, ranging from a few days to several weeks. Professional extermination can expedite the process and address large or persistent infestations more effectively than DIY methods.

Cockroach Inspection - Learn Where Roaches Hide | DoMyOwn.com

Is an exterminator worth it for roaches?

Due to their pervasive and resilient nature, hiring a professional cockroach exterminator is often the best solution to get rid of roaches.

What smell do roaches hate?

Some strong scents, such as lavender and mint, have been known to repel cockroaches.

How much does it cost to get roaches sprayed by an exterminator?

Roaches reproduce quickly and are resilient to many treatments, making them challenging to eradicate. Generally, you can expect to pay between $100 and $700 for one round of roach treatment, with an average cost of $200.

Why am I seeing more roaches after spraying?

Roaches Have Reproduced Since Treatment

Roaches reproduce incredibly fast, so if any females lay eggs after the initial treatment, you're now seeing the results of that reproduction.

Why do I see baby roaches but no adults?

If you only see baby roaches, it could mean a few things: Recent Hatchings: You might be seeing a recent hatching, and the adults are hiding. Effective Treatments: If you've recently treated your home for roaches, the treatment might have killed many adults, leaving behind only the babies.

Where do roaches hide during the day?

Most cockroaches hide in dark, secluded areas by day. They can be found behind furniture and appliances, as well as under refrigerators and stoves and in cupboards or cabinets. They are capable of flattening themselves in order to fit into crevices between floorboards and walls.

How to locate a roach nest?

Within a home or building, roach nests are likely to be found:
  1. Behind or inside kitchen appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers.
  2. Throughout cluttered and insulated attics or basements with boilers and water heaters.
  3. Inside cabinets, especially sink or plumbing cabinets that lead to drainage systems.

How do you know if roaches are in your walls?

To detect roaches hiding in your walls, look for irregular smears near their hiding spots, a potent musty odor, dark droppings, and chewed packaging. Use a flashlight at night to see roaches scatter, indicating infestation.

Do roaches ever fully go away?

Typically, cockroaches stay away following a treatment or service, but sometimes these pests may return with a vengeance! Keep reading to learn more about recuring cockroach infestations and what you can do to prevent these pests from returning.

What does a roach nest look like?

Roach nest, unlike birds' nests, isn't a physical structure but rather a hidden congregation point for roaches, typically in dark, moist areas close to food and water sources. To find a roach nest, look for signs like droppings that look like coffee grounds, oval-shaped egg casings, and increased night-time activity.

How do I prepare my house for roach extermination?

o Remove dishes, food and other items from cabinets and cover them with a sheet or towel. o Vacuum any particles or small debris from cabinets. o Sweep/vacuum under the stove and refrigerator and any other appliances. o Thoroughly clean all surfaces using a bleach solution. o Check under sinks for leaks and notify ...

How many times does an exterminator have to spray for roaches?

Follow-up visits are necessary to ensure that all of the roaches are gone as well as any eggs they left behind. Once the infestation is completely taken care of, we recommend preventative treatments every 30 to 60 days to ensure the infestation does not return.

Why do I keep seeing dead baby roaches?

The presence of baby cockroaches usually indicates there is a nest nearby. Once a nest is established in or near your home, the odds are likely that you either have a full blown infestation already or one is in the process of starting.

How to permanently get rid of roaches?

Basic steps:
  1. Remove clutter.
  2. Vacuum well and often. ...
  3. Wash hard washable surfaces with cleanser (ammonia and water works well).
  4. Dust out of sight spaces with boric acid powder. ...
  5. Use roach baits near hiding places like behind pictures and wall hangings, under sinks and undersides of furniture.

Can you 100% get rid of roaches?

There's no instant or overnight solution for a cockroach infestation, but there is one fix that's more effective than all the others: calling a pest control specialist. Because cockroaches are so difficult to kill and infestations are tough to control, it's best to rely on the pros to get rid of them.

What is considered a severe roach infestation?

If it is between 10 to 25 roaches, it can be a moderate one. But if it exceeds 25, it can now be classified as a heavy infestation. You should know that the few roaches you see at home are not the only ones you have to deal with. There may be 40 to 50 roaches hiding within your place that you don't know.

What does a roach egg sack look like?

American cockroach

Their egg capsules are roughly ⅓” long and are dark reddish or blackish brown in color. Each ootheca holds about 16 eggs.

What is a cockroaches' biggest weakness?

Cockroaches are blessed with an amazing sense of smell. This is what they use when seeking food and mate but at the same time, this is also their weakness. A cockroach's sense of smell can be used to get rid of them.

Will sleeping with the light on keep cockroaches away?

Leaving the light on doesn't deter cockroaches effectively because they can navigate in low-light conditions. While they're mostly active at night, they may still come out in search of food or water. During the day, cockroaches hide in dark areas not directly exposed to light.

Do roaches hate pine sol?

There's a long-running joke that cockroaches could survive the apocalypse, as getting rid of unwanted roaches is difficult if you have an infestation. But if you want to kill them on contact, all you need to do is reach for your handy bottle of Pine-Sol! Considered a "contact insecticide," it kills them quickly.

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