In Southern homes with yards:

• In Southern states American roaches live outdoors
• They are often found around the foundation of the home, near patios and porches, or under mulches, shrubs, and other plant material
• Once inside, American roaches can be found hiding in dark, humid areas like laundry rooms, utility rooms, basements, garages and crawl spaces

In Northern homes and apartments:

• American cockroaches can be found outdoors only in semi-warm areas like sewer systems and steam tunnels
• Indoors you can find them in storage areas, building basements, and garbage collection areas

• American roaches will treat your home or apartment as an all-inclusive resort; they’ll invite themselves over for food, water, and shelter, especially during very cold or hot weather
• American roaches are attracted to foods with sugar, starch, or grease, but will feed on nearly anything including pet food

• Some American roaches can pick-up, carry, and spread harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, to other surfaces that they walk across
• Many people are scared or repulsed by roaches due to their unsightly appearance and smell

Eliminate their food and water sources and hiding places:

• Remove food spills and exposed food, especially near appliances
• Store food in sealed containers
• Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink
• Take out the garbage regularly and tie it closed tightly
• Toss out old boxes and newspapers that serve as good hiding places and hard places to treat
• Clean and vacuum regularly, especially behind ovens, microwaves, toasters, and refrigerators
• Keep food out of bedrooms and living rooms
• Keep basements and storage areas dry

Seal up entryways and point of access to keep them out of the home or apartment:

• Caulk cracks and crevices where roaches can enter from the outside or neighboring units
• Do not store items like firewood or other debris near the home, which provides areas for outdoor roaches to hide and breed
• Identify and repair indoor water leaks that provide moisture and high humidity that these roaches prefer to live in.

Avoid common mistakes during treatment:

• When using baits or gel, be sure you do not place them on areas that have been sprayed with an aerosol or liquid insecticide - roaches traveling over sprayed areas will die before they have a chance to bring the bait back to the nest
• Never spray the bait or gel with an aerosol or liquid insecticide – cockroaches will not eat it
• When using baits or gels, be sure to remove competing food and water sources so the pests are forced to eat the bait
• Replace baits at intervals prescribed on the label or when they are completely eaten
• The more baits you can place and the closer you place them to where the roaches hide during the day, the better your control will be
• Remember to place baits around the access points of the home (entrances, openings, soffits, under steps, the garage) to intercept the roaches as they travel to and from the home