Cockroaches are notoriously tough creatures, capable of thriving in all kinds of environments. Although the rumors about them being able to survive a nuclear blast are false, the stories are still a testament to their resilience. Simply put, cockroaches are very difficult to remove, especially if you have a lot of things in your house that attract pests. This begs the question — how do exterminators get rid of roaches?
To fight roaches effectively, exterminators have to use a wide range of techniques and chemicals. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to cockroaches, so the pest control experts who deal with them have to keep a lot of tricks up their sleeves. Read on to learn more about the methods, chemicals, and costs that come with professional cockroach extermination. Whether you’re considering professional pest control or exploring DIY options, I’ll give you the knowledge you need to fight roaches head-on.
Editor’s note: Costs in this article are sourced from contractor estimates used by Angi.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
What Is the Extermination Process?
Professional exterminators have several techniques for cockroach treatment, but their process changes depending on your needs. Most exterminators will use the steps below as a starting point.
Identifying Roaches
The first thing exterminators do is identify which type of roach is plaguing your home. There are hundreds of species of these pests worldwide, but the most common types of cockroaches are German cockroaches, oriental cockroaches, and American cockroaches.
Extermination Techniques
The difference between pest control and exterminators is subtle but important. Unlike pest control, which is more focused on keeping pests clear long-term, exterminators take a hardline approach to getting rid of roaches in your home immediately. The most common materials and methods exterminators use to perform cockroach extermination are gel bait insecticides, fumigation, boric acid, hydramethylnon, and fipronil.
The last two chemicals cited above are typically part of a spray that exterminators spread around the perimeter of your home. These chemicals are powerful — especially the ones used during fumigation. No one should be inside a house while tent fumigation is being performed.
What Chemicals Do Exterminators Use for Roaches?
Exterminators use a variety of chemicals to kill roaches, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Read up on the chemicals below to see which one may be best for your roach infestation.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is a cheap and effective roach killer that’s been popular for over a century, partly because it poses minimal risk to pets and children. This chemical may take time to remove your roach problem, but you should begin to see dead roaches in and around your home within a day or two.
Boric acid is a powdery white substance that exterminators spread around your home in areas where they’ve seen roach activity. When they’re not plundering your food sources or leaving feces, roaches tend to groom themselves. After they run through the white powder, they’re compelled to lick it off their limbs and bodies, thus consuming it. The acid dissolves in their stomachs and slowly kills them.
Hydramethylnon
Hydramethylnon is a more high-powered chemical that exterminators use for cockroach control. It eradicates several different kinds of insects, including roaches, ants, and termites. The most common types of hydramethylnon pesticides are bait stations or roach motels. Devices laced with hydramethylnon work by using a block of bait laced with the poison to tempt the roaches (or other insects) into consuming some of the poison.
These bait stations have multiple exits, allowing poisoned roaches to return to their colonies and infect other insects. Hydramethylnon acts more quickly than boric acid but is extremely harmful to pets and children if consumed. Still, it’s an effective way to end your roach problems.
Fipronil
Fipronil is essentially a paralyzing agent. Like boric acid, it’s a white powdery substance. Exterminators spread fipronil both indoors and outdoors, where it inhibits the GABA receptors of cockroaches, severing their brain-to-muscle connection.
Ingestion of fipronil is harmful to pets and humans. If your exterminator deploys this chemical, you should stay out of the house during the application and for several days after.
How Much Does an Exterminator Cost for Roaches?
Professional cockroach exterminator costs typically range from $100 to $600. These numbers can vary based on the size of your home, the cost of living in your area, and the severity of your roach infestation.
How Much Does Fumigation for Roaches Cost?
Tent fumigation is a process where exterminators identify all potential entry points for cockroaches in your home, then seal them up temporarily so that your home is essentially airlocked. Then, the exterminators wear special protective equipment and pump in toxic chemicals to kill the roaches in your home.
Because this is one of the more intense cockroach control services, pest fumigation costs typically range from $1,500 to $8,000. Tent fumigation is dangerous, so homeowners will need to leave their property while it’s happening.
What To Expect After an Exterminator Sprays for Roaches
Exterminators only do one service per visit. Most of the time, they apply pesticides in spray form inside and outside the home.
Here’s what you can expect after an exterminator sprays for roaches:
- Fewer droppings. Cockroaches leave droppings near their nesting sites — you may even see these signs of cockroaches before you see an actual roach. Their droppings look like powdery black specks. After successful extermination, you should see far fewer droppings in your house.
- A small number of dead roaches. After a visit from the exterminator, you may see a few dead roaches on their backs. However, this isn’t as common as you think. After cockroaches ingest or inhale poison, they generally return to their nests to die.
- Increased roach activity. Paradoxically, you may notice an unusually high amount of roach activity after treatment. This is because cockroaches are trying to escape the repellents and insecticides the exterminators have released into your home.
- More juvenile cockroaches. Finally, you may also see an uptick in young cockroaches a few weeks after the extermination treatment. This is because the life cycle of a cockroach — especially a German cockroach — takes several months to complete. If the exterminator uses chemicals that target adult cockroaches exclusively, you may only see juvenile cockroach activity after your initial extermination.
Some people think that a single visit from the exterminator will solve their roach problem, but it likely won’t. Although you may see a dramatic decrease in roach activity, your home will likely need multiple treatments to permanently solve your cockroach problem.
How To Get Rid of Roaches Without an Exterminator
There are a few DIY pest control methods you can use if your home doesn’t have a full-blown infestation.
Here are five excellent homemade remedies you can try to fend off roaches.
1. Homemade Repellents
Roaches hate the smell of basil, thyme, rosemary, mint, and cloves. You can mix one (or several) of their essential oils with water and spray it where you suspect roach activity. These sprays are also safe for you and your family.
Roaches also hate the smell of citrus. If you wipe kitchen surfaces with citrus-based cleaners, your roaches will run for the hills.
2. Seal All Entryways
Inspect your baseboards and cabinets for crevices and cracks, then fill them with caulk. This won’t get rid of roaches inside your home, but it’s an easy and affordable way to stop roaches from entering your home in the first place.
3. Secure Food Sources
Roaches love to eat, so make sure to clean up crumbs and spills in the kitchen right away. Empty your garbage cans regularly and clean the insides with a bleach solution. Keep leftovers and pet food sealed tight. You can still get roaches in a clean house, but keeping things sanitary will help keep them to a minimum.
4. Boric Acid
Although boric acid is a pesticide exterminators use, that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to find. You can purchase boric acid at hardware and home improvement stores. Sprinkle it where you’ve seen evidence of roaches, but be careful not to sprinkle too much. If the roaches see big clumps of boric acid, they’ll avoid it.
5. Use Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is an effective pesticide for gardens and outdoor use, but you can also use it indoors for cockroaches. You can usually find it in the garden section of your local hardware or home improvement store. It works by using abrasive diatoms to cut through cockroach exoskeletons, creating tears that cause the roaches to dry out and die. Sprinkle a small amount wherever you see roach activity.
How Much Does Pest Control Cost for Roaches?
Pest control professionals work on a subscription basis, usually monthly or quarterly, and they use different methods for taking care of pests than extermination companies, which focus on immediate eradication of an infestation.
The initial consultation with a pest control service such as Terminix usually costs between $50 and $100 and should include an inspection of your property. Some companies waive this fee if you sign up for a subscription or follow-up services.
General pest control costs can range from $50 to $500, depending on the type of service. If you schedule recurring services, you may end up spending several thousands of dollars.
How Often Should I Spray for Roaches?
Most pest control companies offer subscriptions for treatment plans for certain pests, which can include roaches, rats, mice, moles, bed bugs, and other creepy crawlies. Quarterly visits from one of the best pest control companies in the industry should be more than enough for a roach control plan. If your pest control company recommends more frequent treatments, they will let you know, and you can discuss your options with them.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
When To Call an Exterminator
If you notice a cockroach infestation, call an exterminator immediately. Your cockroach problems will only get worse with time, so it helps to get a jump on things by getting professional help as soon as possible. It can be hard to know when to call an exterminator for roaches, but earlier is always better. Unless you plan on using DIY methods from the get-go, I recommend calling an exterminator at the first sign of roaches.
Final Thoughts on Cockroach Control
If you’re wondering how to get rid of cockroaches, don’t worry. Cockroaches may be formidable foes, but they’re not impossible to get rid of. With the right tools and tactics, you can drive them out of your home for years to come.
Whether you opt for professional pest management or a DIY approach, remember that there’s no one-time solution. It takes time and discipline to eliminate cockroaches, but it’s well worth it in the end when you finally have a pest-free home.
FAQs About How Exterminators Get Rid of Roaches
The time it takes to eradicate a cockroach infestation varies depending on the extent of the problem, the chosen treatment method, and the specific pest control company. Usually, you can expect to see a significant reduction in roach activity within days or weeks, but complete elimination may require multiple treatments over several months. Your exterminator will provide you with a more accurate estimate based on your situation.
While professional extermination is highly effective, it’s possible for roaches to return if new infestations occur. If you suspect a resurgence, immediately contact your exterminator for follow-up treatments. Many pest control companies offer warranties or guarantees to address this situation.
Cleaning is crucial in cockroach control. Exterminators often advise homeowners on ways to reduce food and water sources for roaches, such as keeping food sealed, fixing leaky pipes, and getting rid of clutter. You can still get roaches in a clean house, but maintaining a sanitary environment can significantly help the eradication process.
It’s possible for cockroaches to develop a level of resistance to specific pesticides when overused or misapplied. Experienced exterminators are aware of this and often employ a rotation of different chemicals to prevent resistance.
Yes, many exterminators offer eco-friendly and non-toxic cockroach control options. These methods typically involve using natural substances or methods such as diatomaceous earth or essential oil sprays, which can be safe for your family and pets while effectively deterring roaches.
