Sachse, TX · Roaches
Small roaches in the kitchen cabinets
Small light-brown roaches, about half an inch long, with two dark stripes behind the head, living around the sink, the dishwasher, the stove or the microwave, are German cockroaches. German cockroaches do not live outdoors in Texas, and they can turn out a new generation in about 100 days.
Texas pest control businesses are licensed by the TDA. The call carries no obligation.
Why they are hard to get rid of
They breed quickly. A female carries her egg case until it is about to hatch, so the eggs are protected, and a few roaches can become a heavy infestation in a couple of months.
They hide in heat and moisture. Behind the dishwasher kick plate, inside the hinge of cabinet doors, under the sink, inside the microwave and coffee maker, behind the refrigerator. In attached homes and apartments they also travel along plumbing between units.
Daytime sightings matter. AgriLife's rule of thumb: roaches seen during the day usually means there are a lot of them. German roaches are also linked to allergies and asthma, which is a reason not to wait.
What the visit involves
A technician inspects the kitchen and bathrooms with a flashlight, checks appliances and plumbing openings, and places gel baits and growth regulators in the cracks where roaches live. Expect instructions on what not to spray and a follow-up visit to check the baits and treat what is left.
Tell the operator
- How many you see and whether you see them in the daytime
- Which rooms besides the kitchen
- What you have sprayed or set out already
- Whether the home shares walls with others
Say what you found and where. Call to check whether a visit is available today.
(866) 204-1244Questions people ask
How did they get in? The house is clean.
German cockroaches are almost always carried in — in grocery bags, cardboard boxes, used appliances or furniture. Cleanliness affects how fast they grow, not whether they arrive.
Will store-bought sprays work?
Sprays tend to scatter German cockroaches into walls and other rooms, and many populations tolerate common insecticides. Baits placed correctly and growth regulators work better, and they take a few weeks.
How long does it take to clear them?
It depends on how established they are. Expect more than one visit and a few weeks of follow-up rather than a single treatment.
Other things people find
- Winged insects swarming inside the houseDark, small, many at once near a window — then wings everywhere
- Mud lines running up the slab or the garage wallPencil-width dirt tubes on the foundation, brick or sheetrock
- Fire ant mounds popping up after rainLoose dirt mounds across the lawn, ants that swarm up and sting
- A trail of small ants across the kitchenTiny ants along the counter, sink, window or dishwasher
- Found a scorpion in the housePale yellowish scorpion in the tub, on a wall or in shoes
- A brown spider in the garage, closet or storage boxesPlain brown spider, long legs, found in boxes or clothes
- Big roaches coming up from the drain or the garageLarge reddish-brown roach in the tub, sink or garage at night
- Scratching in the attic or walls at nightScurrying overhead after dark, usually once the weather cools
- Droppings in the pantry or kitchen drawersSmall dark pellets near food, under the sink or in drawers
- Waking up with bites in a line or clusterItchy bites after sleeping, dark specks on the mattress seams
- Mosquitoes make the backyard unusableBites on the patio at dusk, or even in the middle of the day
- Fleas in the house even after treating the petsBites around the ankles, tiny jumping insects in the carpet
- Pests in a house that was just builtCrickets, ants or scorpions in a home that is a year or two old
ZIP codes covered
Mostly built since 2000
Older neighborhoods, 1970s–1990s