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Cockroach Control: A Recent Job & Some Homeowner Tips

Category: Holiday

Published: 01 November, 2026

By Jerry, Owner, Extermatrim Exterminating, Inc

What I Walked Into

November is when I start reminding homeowners around Southwest Louisiana that cockroach problems don't necessarily slow down just because the weather is changing.

We still have plenty of warm, humid days around here, and cockroaches can remain active throughout the year. When outdoor conditions become less comfortable, they may also start showing up in garages, kitchens, bathrooms, and other protected areas.

I recently got a call from a homeowner in Sulphur who had been seeing small cockroaches around the kitchen after dark.

When I arrived, the homeowner showed me where the activity had been happening. The kitchen was clean, and nothing looked particularly unusual.

I started checking under the sink, behind the appliances, and around the cabinets. It didn't take long to find signs that the cockroaches had been using some of those hidden spaces.

The Problem

One thing I explain to homeowners is that cockroaches don't need a dirty house to become a problem.

They're looking for food, moisture, warmth, and somewhere they can stay hidden.

At this home, I found droppings and other signs of cockroach activity behind the refrigerator and around the cabinet openings near the sink.

There was also a small plumbing leak underneath the kitchen sink. It wasn't enough to leave water across the floor, but the cabinet stayed damp around the back corner.

That moisture was giving cockroaches a dependable water source.

The homeowner had also been keeping a few cardboard grocery boxes beside the refrigerator. Those boxes created another sheltered area that wasn't being disturbed very often.

After looking more closely, I found signs consistent with German cockroaches, which are particularly troublesome indoors because they reproduce quickly and can hide in very narrow spaces.

The homeowner's biggest concern was that the sightings seemed to be increasing even though they had been cleaning more often.

That's usually when people realize wiping down the counters and spraying the occasional cockroach isn't going to solve the entire problem.

The Process

I started by explaining what I had found and showing the homeowner the areas where cockroaches were most active.

The first thing I wanted to address was the moisture underneath the sink. I recommended getting the plumbing leak repaired because leaving that water source available would make control more difficult.

Next, I inspected the cabinet joints, appliance spaces, plumbing openings, and other narrow areas where cockroaches could hide during the day.

I used targeted cockroach control products in appropriate locations based on the activity I had found. That included bait placements in protected areas and other treatment methods where necessary.

I also explained why I didn't want the homeowner continuing to spray household insecticides around those same locations. Some sprays can interfere with baiting and cause cockroaches to move into other hiding spots.

We moved the cardboard boxes away from the refrigerator and talked about keeping food crumbs and grease from building up behind appliances.

Before leaving, I explained what the homeowner should expect over the following days and why follow-up monitoring would be important.

With cockroaches, the goal isn't simply to kill the ones walking across the floor. You have to address the places where they're hiding and reproducing.

The Outcome

A few days after the initial service, the homeowner told me they were still seeing an occasional cockroach, but the activity had started slowing down.

I explained that this wasn't unusual, especially with German cockroaches. Eggs and hidden populations can make it necessary to continue monitoring and treating the problem.

The homeowner had repaired the plumbing leak, removed the cardboard boxes, and cleaned behind the refrigerator.

There were fewer signs of activity, and the monitoring results showed that the situation was improving.

They told me the biggest relief was finally understanding where the cockroaches had been coming from.

That's what I like to see. The homeowner understands the problem, and we're making progress toward getting it under control.

DIY Advice I Shared

There are a few things I recommend homeowners around Southwest Louisiana do to help reduce cockroach activity inside the house.

1. Check for moisture underneath sinks. Even a slow plumbing leak can provide enough water to keep cockroaches active. Look for damp cabinet floors, dripping pipes, and areas that never seem to dry completely.

2. Clean behind kitchen appliances. Food crumbs and grease can collect underneath refrigerators, stoves, and other appliances. These are places most people don't clean regularly, but cockroaches can find food there.

3. Keep food properly stored. Use sealed containers for pantry items and avoid leaving pet food out overnight. Wipe up spills and food residue before going to bed.

4. Reduce cardboard and unnecessary clutter. Cockroaches can hide around stacked boxes, paper bags, and crowded storage spaces. Keeping those areas organized makes it easier to notice activity.

5. Pay attention to nighttime sightings. If you're regularly seeing cockroaches when you turn on the kitchen light, check around cabinets, appliances, and plumbing areas for other signs.

These steps won't necessarily eliminate an established infestation, but they can help reduce the conditions allowing cockroaches to stay active.

"It's brighter than before!"

— Megan

Professional Insight

One mistake I see homeowners make with cockroaches is assuming the problem is limited to the few insects they've seen.

Cockroaches spend much of their time hiding in cracks, cabinet joints, appliance spaces, and other protected locations.

By the time someone starts seeing them regularly, there may already be activity in areas they haven't checked.

Different cockroach species also require different approaches. The large outdoor cockroaches we commonly see around Southwest Louisiana aren't always behaving the same way as German cockroaches living and reproducing inside a kitchen.

Proper identification makes a difference.

Treatment works much better when it's based on what is actually happening around the property rather than guessing.

Closing Thoughts

Cockroach problems can be frustrating because homeowners often feel like they're doing everything right and still finding them around the house.

The homeowner in Sulphur was keeping the kitchen clean, but a small plumbing leak and a few hidden areas were helping the cockroaches stay active.

That's why I always tell people to look beyond the one cockroach they happen to see.

If you're around Southwest Louisiana and you're noticing cockroaches in the kitchen, bathroom, garage, or other areas of your home, don't wait until sightings become a regular occurrence.

Finding where they're hiding and addressing the problem early can save you a lot of frustration later.