The short answer
Which cockroach you have changes everything. German cockroaches are small, live and breed entirely indoors, and require gel baiting plus an insect growth regulator over several visits. American and smokybrown cockroaches are the large ones that breed outdoors and wander in — those are solved with exterior perimeter treatment and sealing entry points.
Telling them apart
- German cockroach — about half an inch, tan, with two dark stripes behind the head. Found in kitchens and bathrooms, near appliances and under sinks. If you are seeing them during the day, the population is already large. These reproduce fast and will not resolve on their own.
- American cockroach — up to two inches, reddish-brown, often called a palmetto bug or sewer roach. Breeds in sewers, drains and mulch, entering through drains and gaps.
- Smokybrown cockroach — very common in Central Texas. Dark, glossy, strong flier. Lives in tree hollows, attics and woodpiles, and is attracted to porch lights.
- Oriental cockroach — dark and slow-moving, drawn to damp areas like garages and crawlspaces.
Why roaches matter beyond the ick factor
Cockroach allergens are a recognised asthma trigger, particularly for children. German cockroach infestations in kitchens also carry a genuine food-safety concern for restaurants and any commercial operation, where a visible roach can cost you an inspection score.
How we treat cockroaches
For German cockroaches:
- Gel bait placed in cracks, hinges, and voids where they harbour — not sprayed across surfaces.
- An insect growth regulator to break the breeding cycle, since eggs are protected inside a casing that most products do not penetrate.
- Follow-up visits, because eggs laid before treatment will still hatch.
For the large outdoor species:
- Exterior perimeter treatment, with attention to mulch beds, woodpiles and tree bases.
- Treatment of drains, weep holes and utility penetrations where they enter.
- Exclusion work — door sweeps, sealing gaps, screening vents.
A note on foggers: they push roaches deeper into wall voids and rarely reach harborage. If you have already used one, tell us — it changes how we approach the treatment.
What a visit looks like
Every job starts with a free quote — we walk the property, confirm what you’re actually dealing with, and show you what we found before quoting anything. You’ll get a written price with no hidden fees.
If pests return between scheduled visits, we come back at no extra charge. That’s part of the service, not an upsell.
What affects the price
We quote after seeing the property rather than publishing a flat rate, because the honest answer depends on things we can’t know in advance:
- Property size — square footage and the linear footage of your foundation.
- Severity — an early problem costs considerably less than an established one.
- Service frequency — monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly.
- Access and construction — crawlspace, slab, multi-storey, dense landscaping.
- Interior, exterior or both.
The quote is free and there’s no obligation, so the fastest way to a real number is to request one.
Frequently asked questions
Large outdoor species are usually controlled after one exterior treatment plus exclusion work. German cockroaches typically need two to three visits over several weeks, because egg cases laid before treatment continue hatching.
Not necessarily. A single large smokybrown or American roach is often just a wanderer from outside. Seeing small tan German cockroaches — especially during daylight — does indicate an established population.
No. German cockroaches arrive in grocery bags, deliveries, secondhand appliances and shared walls in multi-unit buildings. Spotless homes get them too.
Yes. We use targeted gel bait placed in cracks and voids rather than broadcast spraying, which is both more effective against roaches and appropriate for kitchens.
Yes. We work with restaurants, offices and warehouses on scheduled programs designed around your operating hours and inspection requirements.
Dealing with cockroaches?
Free quotes across Hutto, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander, Taylor, Manor, Austin, Kyle, Buda and Liberty Hill. Same-day service is often available, and we’ll tell you honestly if you don’t need us.