Crawling pests
German cockroaches
Small light brown cockroaches
German cockroaches breed fast and hide in very small cracks, so they are hard to get rid of. Our treatment focuses on your kitchen and food preparation areas, and targets the cockroaches at their source.
- Stay out of the property
- 3–4 hours or longer, until dry
- Don't clean or wipe
- 7 days
- Results improve over
- 2–3 weeks
No entry until it's dry. Drying takes 3–4 hours or longer, so don't go back into a treated area until it's dry, even if the time on this page has passed.
Get your home ready
Before we arrive
What we do on the day
- We inspect first, to confirm it's German cockroach before we treat it as one.
- When your cupboards and drawers are cleared out, we spray inside every cabinet and into every crack and crevice.
- We dust the hinges and the electronic areas.
- We put gel on some of the door hinges.
- We also treat where they shelter: under sinks, behind the fridge, behind and under the oven and dishwasher, and into cracks and wall cavities.
- If your items haven't been taken out of the cupboards, we use gel and dust only, with no spray.
- Gel goes out of reach of children and pets, and we never spray liquid over it.
After treatment
- Stay out of the property for 3–4 hours or longer, until treated surfaces are dry
- Do not clean or wipe treated surfaces for 7 days
- Maintain high levels of sanitation after treatment
- Do not leave food, crumbs or grease exposed
- Store food in sealed containers
- Empty bins regularly
- Keep your home decluttered
- Avoid using supermarket sprays as they reduce treatment effectiveness
Common questions
How do German cockroaches enter properties?
They are commonly introduced through cardboard boxes, food deliveries, appliances or second-hand furniture.
Are German cockroaches caused by poor hygiene?
Not always. Even clean homes and businesses can experience infestations, however poor sanitation allows infestations to grow faster.
Why am I still seeing cockroaches after treatment?
Cockroaches emerge from hiding and contact the protective treatment over time.
Why am I seeing small baby cockroaches after treatment?
Eggs that were already there can still hatch after treatment. The young ones die once they touch the treated surfaces.
How long does treatment take to work?
Results improve over 2–3 weeks as the residual protection works through the infestation.
Will one treatment solve the problem?
We treat in one visit. For heavier infestations we recommend a second treatment about 2 weeks later, to kill the young that hatch after the first visit.
When can people and pets go back in?
Stay out of the property for 3 to 4 hours or longer, until it's dry. If you have a question about children, pets or health, call us and a technician will talk it through.
Can I clean after treatment?
Avoid wiping treated areas for at least 7 days to maintain protection.
Where do German cockroaches usually hide?
Under sinks, behind fridges, ovens and dishwasher, inside microwaves, cupboards and wall cavities.
Do supermarket sprays work?
Supermarket sprays can scatter cockroaches and make the treatment work less well. Please do not use them before we come.
How quickly do German cockroaches breed?
German cockroaches reproduce rapidly, which is why treating them early matters.
How do I tell a German cockroach from the big ones?
German cockroaches are smaller and brown. American cockroaches are large and black, and Oriental cockroaches are medium sized and dark brown to black. We check which kind you have when we inspect. Big dark ones in the garden get a different treatment, so see the cockroaches guide.
Can German cockroaches make me sick?
Cockroaches are believed to spread germs such as salmonella to people, and they can also cause allergies.
Signs you've got German cockroaches
- Small brown cockroaches, often in kitchens and bathrooms. They're the smallest of the pest cockroaches.
- Cockroaches coming out of electronics, hidden spots inside cabinets and the hinges.
- A small egg capsule tucked into a dark corner. The female carries it until the eggs are close to hatching.
- Young ones that look like the adults, only smaller and without wings.
Where German cockroaches hide, and what draws them in
Where they hide
- Kitchens and bathrooms, most of all the kitchen.
- Inside cupboards, drawers and electrical appliances.
- Warm spots, such as near a hot water service. They're sociable and gather in large groups.
What draws them in
- Food. They eat almost anything but prefer starchy foods like potatoes, rice and cereal.
- Warmth and damp. They do well in warm, humid conditions.
- A steady supply of water, such as a dripping tap.
Keep them away
- Avoid storing cardboard boxes inside for long periods
- Clean food spills and grease promptly
- Treat soon after early signs of new activity
What happens next
Booking the treatment
German cockroaches are a different job to the big ones. They breed inside, in the kitchen, and they need the gel and spray treatment made for them.
Still have a question?
Call us and we'll help. If you're still seeing activity after the times on this page, let us know.