Seeing a cockroach in your kitchen or bathroom can be an indication that others are hiding nearby. Cockroaches are highly adaptable pests that reproduce quickly and spend much of their time concealed in cracks, crevices and other protected areas.

They can survive on a wide variety of food sources, including crumbs, grease, pet food and organic debris. Some species can also feed on materials such as paper, cardboard and book-binding paste.

Common Cockroaches Found Indoors

German cockroach

The German cockroach is one of the most important indoor cockroach pests. Adults are light brown to yellowish-brown and have two dark parallel stripes behind the head. They favour warm, humid locations with easy access to food and water, making kitchens, bathrooms and food-service areas common infestation sites.

German cockroaches reproduce rapidly and can spread through multi-unit buildings using cracks, utility penetrations, plumbing, electrical systems and other connected spaces.

Brown-banded cockroach

Brown-banded cockroaches prefer warmer and generally drier locations than German cockroaches. They may be found in furniture, cupboards, electronics and other areas away from obvious water sources, including higher locations within rooms.

American cockroach

American cockroaches are considerably larger and reddish-brown. They favour warm, moist environments and may occur around utility areas, drains, sewer systems and locations containing hot-water piping.

Why Cockroaches Are More Than a Nuisance

Cockroaches can contaminate food and food-contact surfaces after travelling through unsanitary areas. They can mechanically carry organisms associated with foodborne illness, and their droppings, shed skins and body fragments may contribute to allergic reactions and asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals. Health Canada similarly identifies food contamination and asthma reactions to cockroach feces and body parts as concerns.

Where Cockroaches Hide

Cockroaches generally prefer protected cracks and crevices close to food, water and shelter. Depending on the species, common harbourage areas can include:

• Behindand beneath refrigerators, stoves and other appliances
• Undersinks and around plumbing penetrations
• Insidecupboards and cabinet joints
• Aroundelectrical and mechanical equipment
• Alongbaseboards, wall voids and cracks
• Arounddrains and other warm, humid areas

Because cockroaches are primarily active at night, an infestation can become established before occupants regularly see them.

How NorthPoint Controls Cockroaches

NorthPoint uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach rather than relying on indiscriminate spraying.

Treatment begins with a detailed inspection to identify the cockroach species, harbourage areas, food and moisture sources, and the extent of activity. Monitoring devices may be placed strategically to identify areas of greatest activity and to measure treatment progress.

Depending on the inspection findings and the products registered for the site, treatment may include:

1. Sanitationand moisture correction recommendations to reduce food, water and
2. Monitoringto identify where cockroaches are active and determine whether populations are declining.
3. Targetedbaiting using gel baits or bait stations where 
4. Crack-and-creviceor void treatments using products specifically registered for those
5. Follow-upinspection and monitoring to evaluate results and determine whether additional treatment is required.

Pesticide products are selected and applied according to their registered Canadian labels, including applicable resistance-management directions.

What You Can Do to Help

• Cleanfood residue, crumbs and grease regularly, including underneath 
• Storefood and pet food in sealed 
• Avoidleaving dirty dishes or pet food out 
• Repairplumbing leaks and eliminate unnecessary 
• Reducecardboard and clutter that can provide 
• Seal appropriate cracks and gaps around plumbing, cabinets and building Penetration.
• In multi-unit buildings, report cockroach activity early so neighbouring or connected areas can be assessed where appropriate.

Seeing cockroaches during the day, finding egg cases, or repeatedly seeing small cockroaches can indicate significant activity. Early professional inspection can make control considerably easier.