Cockroach Control F.A.Q.

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Can you control cockroaches?

Yes, with the right approach, controlling cockroach activity is possible. However in some cases, it will take time, patience and a consistent effort to eliminate cockroach activity altogether. Some of the key factors of cockroach control are the species, location and activity level.

Where do cockroaches live?

Roaches are thigmotactic insects which means they prefer to dwell in tight crevices where the top and bottom of their body are in contact with their shelter.

Most species of cockroach in Northern California are what we call occasional invaders. This means they primarily spend their time outdoors and will sometimes wander inside a home searching for food or water. They prefer to live outdoors underneath places such as storm drains, utility boxes, planters, wood piles, etc. These exterior roaches are most prominent near orchards and open fields and they can be found in virtually any gaps or cracks they can crawl into and hide.

This is not the case with German cockroaches, which primarily infest indoor areas like kitchens. Once German cockroaches find food, shelter and water, they will stay close-by and multiply at a rapid rate.

How do cockroaches get inside?

It depends on which kind of cockroach you are dealing with. Most cockroaches live outside and will gain access indoors through tiny gaps around doors, windows or even around plumbing underneath a home's foundation. However, that is not true for German cockroaches. Most of the time German roaches are transported inside a home while hiding in boxes, appliances, furniture or electronics.

Are landlords responsible for cockroach control?

When it comes to cockroaches here in California, yes. According to the state housing laws, it is the landlords responsibility to make sure their buildings maintain livable conditions for the tenant.

How long can cockroaches live?

Exterior species such as the Oriental and American cockroach have a lifespan of  around 2.5 - 3.5 years. These roaches take a long time to reach their adult form, going through ten to thirteen instars over the course of about 580-600 days. Once reaching adult form, they will live anywhere between 160-700 days depending if they are male or female.

Indoor roaches like the German cockroach have a shorter lifespan than other cockroach species.  They will typically reach the adult stage of their life cycle around 100 days and have an average lifespan of approximately 200 days. That means once a German cockroach hatches out of an egg case, it'll live for about 10-11 months.