Windermere, FL and nearby
Small roaches in the kitchen cabinets
Small, light-brown roaches with two dark stripes behind the head, running from cabinets and appliances when the light comes on, are German cockroaches. UF/IFAS calls them the species that typically plagues multifamily housing. Unlike palmetto bugs, they live and breed indoors.
Independent Florida-licensed providers. No obligation for the call.
Why it will not stop on its own
They breed fast indoors. German roaches carry their egg cases until the eggs are about to hatch, which protects the next generation from many treatments. Numbers climb quickly.
They hide where heat and water are. Behind the fridge, under the dishwasher, in cabinet hinges, inside the microwave. Spraying what you see misses most of them.
Shared walls spread them. In a townhouse or condo, roaches move between units along plumbing and wiring. Treating one unit alone often fails.
What the visit involves
An inspection of kitchen and bathroom hiding spots, then baits and growth regulators placed into the cracks where roaches live, with follow-up visits to check progress. The technician should explain how to prepare: clearing cabinets, cleaning grease, and not spraying store products over the baits.
What to say when you call
- How many you see and when — daylight sightings suggest a large population
- Where — cabinets, appliances, bathroom
- Whether the home is detached or shares walls
- Whether anything was brought in recently: used appliances, boxes, furniture
Common questions
Are they coming from outside? Not usually. German roaches are brought in, not walked in from the yard.
Will a fogger work? Foggers tend to scatter German roaches deeper into walls. Ask the technician before using one.
How long does it take? Several weeks and more than one visit is normal.
Seeing it right now? Call and describe it — the line can tell you whether a visit is available near your ZIP code today.
(866) 204-1244Check the license before work starts
Florida pest control businesses are licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and each business location must have a certified operator in charge. Any company or individual can be looked up in the department’s public database before a visit is booked.
For this job, the license category to look for is General Household Pest and Rodent Control.
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