Updated on February 12th, 2025
If you want to get rid of roaches overnight, you must first understand the habits of this notorious pest.
- What is it attracted to?
- Which type of fear-inducing roach is it?
- What type of environment have you unknowingly created to welcome this much-hated creature?
- How did it get in, in the first place?
- And, most importantly, how can you keep it away for good once it's gone?
In this article, we will answer all of these questions regarding common cockroaches.
To begin, it’s essential to understand that not all cockroaches are alike, especially when learning how to get rid of German cockroaches effectively. Just like us, certain species have certain preferences.
Hence, we’ll discuss the top two types of roaches you’re most likely to encounter in North America—the German cockroach and the American cockroach.
Where do these cockroaches live? What do they eat?
German cockroaches generally live indoors. While they may venture outdoors during warmer months or in cases of severe indoor infestations, this is not their typical habitat. They thrive in warm, humid environments near food and water sources, such as cupboards, under kitchen sinks, drawers and closets.
What they eat: German cockroaches consume food debris. These omnivorous scavengers will feed on nearly anything, but they prefer meats and foods that are sugary, greasy or starchy. The number one defense against these pests is eliminating their access to all enticing food sources.
Key facts about German cockroaches:
- They primarily live indoors.
- They tend to congregate in cracks and crevices.
- They require more water than American cockroaches.
- They are attracted to food debris.
American cockroaches primarily live outdoors, but they will invade kitchens, bathrooms or other areas when conditions are right. If you find this species indoors, they are often near boilers, bathrooms or kitchens since they require high temperatures and elevated humidity to thrive.
What they eat: American cockroaches are drawn to fermenting or decaying material. Outdoors, they feed on decaying leaves, fungi, algae and small insects. Indoors, their diet consists of crumbs found under appliances, in drains, behind kitchen cabinets and on the floor.
Key facts about American cockroaches:
- They primarily live outdoors.
- They congregate in open spaces.
- They are most attracted to fermenting material.
German vs American cockroaches: What do they look like?
In addition to knowing what attracts cockroaches, being able to identify the specific type of pest in your home is highly beneficial. While all cockroach species share common traits—flat bodies, six legs and two antennae—the German and American species have distinct features that set them apart.
German cockroach features
- Body: Small, measuring around a half-inch in length and a quarter-inch in width
- Color: Yellowish-brown with darker brown parallel lines that run from the back of their head down to their wings
- Ability to fly: No
- Ability to bite: No. Their mouthparts aren’t strong enough to pierce human skin, though they may gnaw on the skin’s outer layer—biting hair or fingernails—in very heavy infestations
American cockroach features
- Body: Large, measuring around an inch-and-a-half in length and a half-inch in width
- Color: Reddish-brown
- Ability to fly: Yes. They have very strong wings that allow them to fly for short distances
- Ability to bite: No. Like the German cockroach, their mouthparts are not strong enough to pierce human skin. If ever found on a person, they're trying to either pick at food remnants or dead skin
Where did this cockroach come from? How did it get into my home?
German cockroaches are notorious hitchhikers, often making their way into homes through packaging, shipments and boxes. Large warehouses, such as food packaging plants or storage facilities, can struggle to manage every tiny pest. As a result, these cockroaches can easily find their way into boxes, eventually arriving at your doorstep.
On the other hand, American cockroaches—as aforementioned—prefer to live outdoors. If you discover them inside your home, it’s a strong indicator they’ve found an entry point. Plumbing issues are a common culprit, so it’s crucial to inspect and address the following:
- Ensure there are no cracks in your sewage line beneath your house.
- Check your basement for cracks, especially those larger than ⅛ inch, and seal them promptly.
- Inspect the area around plumbing lines for any openings where these pests might sneak in.
- Seal cracks in exterior walls and gaps between walls and floors. Ensure dryer vents are properly sealed to block potential gateways for cockroaches.
While these points of entry are important to address, cockroaches are, ultimately, drawn indoors by three key elements: food, water and shelter. Human homes are an ideal environment.
Therefore, take proactive measures to address these vulnerabilities to keep your home roach-free.
How do I get rid of cockroaches?
The German and American cockroaches, both members of the order Blattodea, are widely encountered in households year-round. However, German cockroaches are a much larger challenge to tackle, as they are prolific breeders: German cockroaches produce up to 30,000 nymphs (offspring) a year; American cockroaches produce up to 800 nymphs a year.
General tips to eliminate cockroaches
To get rid of any cockroach, start by maintaining a clean and unwelcoming environment. This means:
- No dirty dishes in the sink
- No leftover crumbs on the floors or countertops
- No overflowing garbage cans or cans without tight-fitting lids
- No pet food messes
- No excess moisture in crawl spaces, basements, laundry rooms or bathrooms
- No cardboard or thin plastic storage containers. Use pest-resistant storage options to protect against cockroaches, ants, pantry moths, beetles and silverfish
How to get rid of German cockroaches: A step-by-step guide
When understanding how to get rid of German cockroaches, it’s critical to know that they thrive indoors and are highly attracted to food debris. Removing their access to food is your number one line of defense.
Begin with a deep clean. Use a vacuum cleaner aggressively to remove crumbs, debris, body parts, cockroach eggs and live cockroaches. Focus areas:
- Behind the fridge and under the stove
- Inside cabinets, drawers and cupboards
- Under your sink and trash can
- Around pet food bowls, dish mats and drying racks
- Behind wall clocks, wall calendars or framed photos
Pay extra attention to cracks and crevices in these areas when learning how to get rid of German cockroaches.
Inspect the bathroom next. Search for cockroaches in dark, moist, hidden areas (aka your bathroom or laundry room). Approach your attack in the same manner—with surprise, with gusto, with a mischievous urge to suck these wrongdoers up. Pay special attention to damp spots where cockroaches may hide.
Repeat inspections in every room. This initial thorough cleaning will remove 90% of the infestation. However, to fully eradicate them, every single cockroach must be eliminated before they multiply (and try to claim your castle) yet again.
This is where the Insect Buster Bulb Duster comes into play.
Note: The Insect Buster is a highly effective powder-distribution tool designed to help you apply Dust to Dust with precision and minimal mess. This tool ensures even coverage in cracks, crevices and other hard-to-reach areas, maximizing the effectiveness of the powder and keeping the application process clean and efficient.
Cockroaches rely on their hard exoskeleton for survival. This protective shield helps them retain moisture and shields their internal tissues. But Dust to Dust is designed to pierce their exoskeleton, dehydrating them externally and poisoning them internally when they ingest the powder while grooming.
Where to apply Dust to Dust
Use the Insect Buster to target the following areas:
- Walls, baseboards and moldings: Target cracks and crevices
- Appliances: Focus on areas behind the refrigerator and stove
- Cupboards and drawers: Apply powder inside, especially where cupboard boards meet
- Window sills, electrical outlets and fixtures: Ensure even coverage
- Plumbing areas: Dust gaps under sinks and around washer/dryer connections and bathroom fixtures
Lightly dust these areas to ensure maximum coverage without deterring cockroaches from stepping on the powder.
Why Dust to Dust is your best option
Unlike traditional diatomaceous earth (DE), Dr. Killigan's Dust to Dust Non-Toxic Insect Powder works up to 50% faster. It is particularly effective for those looking to get rid of German cockroaches, as it dehydrates their exoskeleton and ensures long-term results. It’s a proven, safer and more effective alternative for eradicating cockroaches quickly and restoring peace to your home.
With Dust to Dust and the Insect Buster, you’ll have the tools you need to reclaim your home, eliminate infestations, and ensure it remains pest-free for the long term.
How to get rid of American cockroaches
To effectively combat American cockroaches, focus on high-moisture areas with decaying organic matter, their preferred habitats. To eliminate them effectively:
Seal entry points
- Inspect and seal any gaps around plumbing, windows and exterior walls.
- Caulk cracks in walls, doors or baseboards.
Apply Dust to Dust. Puff the powder in the following areas:
- Wall voids, outlets and gaps under appliances
- Plumbing areas, like under sinks and around washer/dryer connections
Let the Insect Buster help you save the day and end your cockroach nightmare.
