778-828-6094If you have seen even one roach in daylight, there are almost certainly more hidden nearby. The sooner you call, the smaller and cheaper the problem is to solve. Our licensed exterminators treat with proven spray and bait methods, and every job is backed by our guarantee.
The German Cockroach: Vancouver’s Most Common Roach
The species we deal with most often in British Columbia is the German cockroach. It is small, light brown, and about half an inch long, with two dark stripes running down the back of its head. Unlike larger outdoor roaches, the German cockroach lives its whole life indoors and rarely leaves once it settles in.
What makes it such a problem is how quickly it multiplies. A single female carries an egg case holding 30 to 40 eggs, and a small sighting can turn into a full infestation within a couple of months. They favour warm, humid spots close to food: behind the fridge, under the sink, inside cabinet hinges, and around dishwashers and small appliances. Because they hide so well, most people underestimate how many are actually there.
Signs You Have a Cockroach Infestation
Roaches are nocturnal and stay out of sight, so the early warning signs matter more than actually seeing one. Here is what to watch for:
- Live roaches in daylight. Seeing one during the day usually means the hiding spots are already crowded.
- Droppings. Small dark specks that look like ground pepper or coffee grounds in drawers, cupboards, and along baseboards.
- A musty, oily smell. A heavy infestation gives off a distinct stale odour.
- Egg cases and shed skins. Brown, capsule-shaped casings and translucent skins tucked into cracks and corners.
- Smear marks. Dark streaks where roaches travel in damp areas.
If any of these show up, it is worth booking an inspection before the numbers climb.
Why Cockroaches Are a Health Risk
Cockroaches are more than a nuisance. As they crawl across garbage, drains, and food surfaces, they pick up and spread bacteria that can contaminate food and dishes. They are also a common household allergy and asthma trigger, especially for children, because their droppings and shed skins build up in the air over time.
In a shared building, the risk is bigger. Roaches move through wall voids and plumbing gaps between suites, so an untreated unit can put an entire floor at risk. That is one reason many strata councils and property managers in Vancouver bring us in for building-wide treatment rather than one unit at a time.
Our Cockroach Treatment Process
Getting rid of roaches takes more than a can of store spray. Our approach targets the whole population, including the hidden nests and the next generation of eggs.
- Inspection. We find where the roaches are hiding and how they are moving between rooms or units, so treatment goes where it counts.
- Spray treatment. We apply targeted spray into the cracks, voids, and harbourage points where roaches shelter and breed.
- Bait placement. We set bait in the areas roaches feed and travel. They carry it back to the nest, which reaches the ones you never see.
- Follow-up. Because eggs are protected from treatment, we return to knock down any newly hatched roaches and confirm the problem is gone.
For most homes this combination of spray and bait clears the infestation, and if roaches come back within the guarantee period, we come back too.
Cockroach Control for Restaurants & Commercial Properties
For a restaurant or food business, a cockroach sighting is a serious threat. It puts your health inspection rating, your reputation, and your license on the line, and word travels fast. Kitchens are exactly what German cockroaches want: warm equipment, constant moisture, and food around the clock.
We handle discreet, scheduled treatment for restaurants, cafes, offices, hotels, and multi-family buildings, with ongoing monitoring to keep facilities inspection-ready. Learn more about our restaurant and commercial pest control programs, and if you manage rental units, ask about our apartment pest control service for building-wide protection.
How to Keep Cockroaches From Coming Back
Treatment clears the infestation; good habits keep it from returning. A few practical steps make your home far less inviting:
- Wipe up crumbs and spills right away and store food in sealed containers.
- Take out the garbage regularly and keep bins closed.
- Fix leaks and dry out damp spots under sinks; roaches need water to survive.
- Seal cracks and gaps around pipes, baseboards, and cabinets.
- Don’t leave pet food or dirty dishes out overnight.
We walk you through the prevention steps that fit your space during every visit, so the results last long after we leave. For a wider look at what we treat, see our full range of Vancouver pest control services.