Roaches
Roach control in Bakersfield
Which roach you have decides how the job goes. One kind breeds inside your kitchen. Another lives in the yard and wanders in.
Calls answered early morning to late evening
Two roaches Bakersfield homes see
German cockroaches are the most common indoor species in California. They stay indoors, close to food and water, and favor kitchens and bathrooms. An adult fits a crack 1/16 inch wide. Each egg case holds about 30 young, which is why a few can become many. They turn up often in apartments.
Turkestan cockroaches live outdoors in water meter boxes, compost, leaf litter, potted plants and sewer lines, and wander inside. UC IPM says they are displacing the oriental cockroach in the Central Valley and other warm, dry parts of the state.
How to recognize a roach problem
- Small tan roaches in a kitchen or bathroom, especially when you turn the light on: likely German.
- Larger, darker roaches near a door, garage or drain, or outdoors after dark: likely an outdoor species.
- A light beige egg case about 1/4 inch long.
- Roaches running along the edge of a wall instead of across the middle of a floor.
What a roach visit usually involves
For German roaches, the work is inside: finding where they hide, then treating cracks and voids close to food and moisture. Expect a follow-up, since eggs hatch after the first visit.
For outdoor species, UC IPM says treating the places they shelter may be needed when numbers are high and they are coming indoors. Gaps around pipes and door sweeps matter as much as anything sprayed. Ask what the plan is, how to prepare, and how long to stay out.
Things that cut down on roaches
- Fix dripping faucets and wipe up water under sinks.
- Keep food and pet food in sealed containers, and take garbage out each evening.
- Clear leaf litter and compost away from the house.
- Seal gaps around plumbing and under exterior doors.
Roach questions
Does seeing one roach mean there is an infestation?
A single large roach near a door may simply have wandered in. Small roaches in a kitchen, or roaches in daylight, usually mean more are hiding nearby.
Are roaches a health concern?
UC IPM says German cockroaches can contaminate food and produce indoor allergens. If someone at home has asthma or allergies, mention it on the call.
Seeing something now? Make the call.
Say what you found, where you found it, and your ZIP. The company on the line can tell you how it would handle the job and what a visit involves.
Calls answered early morning to late evening. Calls may be recorded. Referral disclosure