To get rid of cockroaches and eliminate them from your home, combine three actions: thorough cleaning, sticky traps to locate infestations, and an insecticide approved in Canada, applied according to the label. Health Canada recommends combining cleaning and insecticide. A product used alone will have little effect as long as cockroaches still find food, water, and shelter.
Cockroach, roach, and cockroach are common names for the same pests. In Quebec, cockroach is most commonly used.
Act at the first sign. Cockroaches can contaminate food and spread diseases by walking or depositing their droppings on food and counters after passing through garbage or drains. Their droppings and body fragments can also cause reactions in people with asthma. They rarely cause damage to the building structure. Their presence does not necessarily mean the home is unsanitary.
Recognizing the German cockroach and other roaches
The German cockroach is one of the most common household cockroaches in the world. According to Health Canada, the adult measures 1.3 to 1.6 cm. Its colour ranges from pale brown to light brown, with two parallel dark bands running from the head to the base of the wings. It has wings but cannot fly. It does not tolerate the cold well and lives inside buildings, where it has been reported as far north as Nunavut.
Two other species are found in homes: the American cockroach and the Oriental cockroach. The American cockroach, reddish-brown in colour, is one of the largest species: it can exceed 5 cm in size, according to our Insect Library cockroach fact sheet, which also features photos for comparing species.
If in doubt, capture a specimen on a sticky trap and compare it to the photos on the fact sheet. The federal government requires you to correctly identify the insect before buying a product. Then choose a product whose label lists this insect.
Cockroaches often enter with items: used furniture, food, empty beer or soda bottles, and cardboard boxes. Their oothecae travel the same way. Once inside, they move easily from one room to another.
Signs of presence and places to inspect
Cockroaches are mostly active at night. An infestation can therefore go unnoticed. They settle where they find food, water, and shelter. Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and plumbing areas provide the warmth and moisture they seek.
To detect an infestation, inspect these areas with a flashlight, preferably in the evening. Look under the sink, around pipes that condense, and near leaky faucets. Check under and behind appliances: the refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher. Open kitchen cabinets and the pantry, especially near cardboard or paper packaging. Also examine cracks, along baseboards, and around pipe openings.
Our Insect Library describes the signs to look for. Droppings resemble black pepper grains or coffee grounds, and oothecae resemble small brown capsules. A heavy infestation gives off a musty odour. Seeing cockroaches during the day generally indicates a major infestation, as they prefer darkness.
Place a few sticky traps in these areas for a few nights. According to the federal guide, these traps are used to monitor the population and locate cockroaches, so you can focus your efforts in the right places.
How to get rid of cockroaches in 5 steps
To eliminate cockroaches, follow these steps in order, based on Health Canada recommendations.
- Remove accessible food and water that same evening.
- Thoroughly clean dark and damp areas near food.
- Place sticky traps to locate infestation sites.
- Seal cracks and hiding places.
- Apply an approved insecticide in the identified areas, according to the label.
Food and water: wipe up spills immediately. Do not leave pet bowls full day and night. Store food in airtight plastic or glass containers, as cockroaches can pierce paper and cardboard and lay eggs inside. Wash dishes before nightfall. Otherwise, leave them to soak in soapy water in the sink. Throw waste in a closed garbage can every day.
Cleaning: vacuum frequently under and behind appliances. The vacuum removes crumbs, insects, and oothecae. Then place the bag in soapy water to destroy its contents. For affected furniture, toys, or objects, use steam if the material can withstand it. You can also freeze objects for at least 24 hours, ideally up to a week, at -8 °C.
Moisture: repair leaky faucets and pipes. Insulate those that condense. Ventilate the bathroom and dehumidify damp areas.
Cracks and openings: caulk cracks, crevices, and around pipes. Install fine-mesh screens over vents, open pipes, and drains.
These traps capture cockroaches. They are mainly used to measure the infestation and check the effectiveness of the insecticide. Several applications may be necessary before captures stop.
Choosing and using an approved insecticide
Before buying, check that the label lists a Pest Control Products Act approval number, the target insect, and indoor use. This number confirms that the product is approved in Canada. You can find it using the federal label search tool. Do not buy a product online that is sold by a foreign retailer. It may not be authorized in Canada.
The federal roach fact sheet describes the types of products available to consumers:
Residual products for cracks and crevices: the most commonly used approved products against cockroaches.
Bait stations: available in tamper-proof containers, they kill insects approximately 48 to 96 hours after they ingest the active ingredient.
Aerosols: in heavy infestations, they increase treatment effectiveness by knocking down insects and causing them to emerge onto treated surfaces.
Diatomaceous earth: this fine powder damages the insects' cuticle, causing them to dehydrate. It remains active as long as it stays dry. Avoid breathing in the dust during application.
Avoid homemade mixtures, such as baking soda and sugar. Health Canada advises against making your own pesticides due to health and environmental risks. The ministry has also issued an advisory on insecticide chalk, which contains a highly toxic substance.
Safety during treatment: read the entire label before applying the product. Have people and animals leave the room, especially children, pregnant women, and seniors. Let them return only when the product is completely dry. Never use a product intended for outdoor use inside, and do not mix multiple products unless the label permits. Keep each product in its original container. Store it out of reach of children and animals. In case of poisoning, call a poison control centre immediately.
Our cockroach product collection includes bait stations, sticky traps, insecticides, and powders. Choose according to the identified insect and follow the product label.
When to call an exterminator and what to do after treatment
The federal government suggests considering a licensed exterminator. This option is well suited for the following situations:
- Traps still capture cockroaches after cleaning and several treatments applied according to the label.
- The infestation affects several rooms or several units in the same building.
- You cannot have occupants or animals leave during application, or you prefer not to handle pesticides.
Then, leave the traps in place to monitor captures. Maintain storage and cleaning habits. In an apartment, notify the owner or building manager at the first sign, so that neighbouring units can be checked at the same time.
To reduce the risk of long-term return, read our article on sustainable solutions against cockroaches. The Insect Library cockroach fact sheet completes this guide with signs, species, and dangers.
