Cockroach Control in King, Pierce & Thurston Counties

German cockroaches: activity around kitchens and other indoor hiding places

Adult German cockroaches are small and light brown with two dark lengthwise marks behind the head. They are associated with indoor infestations and may arrive in boxes or used appliances.

Tell us about sightings around a sink, refrigerator, food-storage area or another repeated location. Mention smaller insects as well as adults; that detail may help an inspection focus on where activity is developing.

Brownbanded cockroaches: look beyond the kitchen

Brownbanded cockroaches have pale bands across the body or wings. They may shelter around furniture, appliances, wall decorations and other indoor spaces, so activity is not always centered around a sink.

Share the room and item where you noticed the insect. A photo of the surrounding area can be useful when the concern is in a bedroom, office or living room.

Oriental cockroaches: investigate damp areas and access routes

Oriental cockroaches are dark brown to almost black and often associated with damp locations, including basements and areas around plumbing.

If the sighting is near a drain, utility area or lower level of the building, tell us about any moisture you've noticed. Identifying the insect helps determine whether attention should focus on an indoor population, an access route or both.

American cockroaches: a larger roach with different habits

American cockroaches are larger and reddish brown. They are often associated with moist areas and basements. Size alone is not enough to distinguish them from every other insect a homeowner might encounter.

Tell us whether you found one insect or have a repeating pattern. We can discuss identification and whether an inspection of nearby moisture, hiding places and access points would help.

Details that make an inspection more useful

Share what you know rather than trying to pull apart the room before calling:

• The room, cabinet or appliance area where you noticed activity.
• Whether you saw one insect, several, or insects of different sizes.
• Any dark spotting, shed skins or suspected egg cases you have noticed.
• Recently brought-in boxes, furniture or appliances, if relevant.
• Products or traps already used and the locations where they were placed.

Leave heavy appliances and electrical equipment in place. An inspection can address areas that are difficult to reach.

Useful steps you can take now

Avoid starting with a fogger or bug bomb. These products may disperse cockroaches into other areas and do not replace identifying hiding places and sources of activity. If you've already used a product, tell us its name and when it was used.

• Keep food in closed containers, wipe up spills and remove leftover pet food.
• Keep garbage covered and note any plumbing leak or persistent moisture.
• Reduce unnecessary cardboard or clutter without carrying potentially affected items through the home.
• Keep a photo or note of the sighting so the details are easy to share.

A plan should fit the cockroach and the property

Different cockroach species use buildings differently. We can discuss identifying the insect, inspecting affected areas and the conditions that support activity. Recommendations may involve monitoring, targeted control, reducing food or moisture access and addressing hiding places or entry gaps.

Tell us about children, pets and any special household concerns. Ask what preparation is needed, where any treatment or monitoring devices would go and what instructions apply to those areas.

Follow-up should explain how progress will be checked and what continuing sightings to report. A reduction in visible insects and confirmation that activity is controlled are different observations; keeping a simple record helps the discussion.

If you live in an apartment or another shared building

Let the property manager know about confirmed activity so assessment can be coordinated. Cockroach movement through connected spaces may make the surrounding units or shared areas relevant to a control plan.

Tell us whether the concern is limited to your unit or has also been reported elsewhere. We can discuss the information needed to plan the next step with the responsible people.