Hey everyone,
So, I’m officially grossed out — I found three huge American cockroaches in my kitchen this week, and one flew. I’ve never had them before, and now it feels like they’re coming out of nowhere.
I’ve already cleaned, sealed trash, and sprayed store-bought insecticide, but I still see one every night. I live in the South, so I know roaches are common here, but this feels like an invasion.
Ugh, I’ve been there. Those big flying ones are American roaches (aka “palmetto bugs”). They love warm, damp areas like under sinks or behind appliances. I used gel bait and sealed every crack I could find, that cut them down fast.
If you’re seeing more than one, there’s probably a nest nearby. They can enter through floor drains or gaps around pipes. Try putting drain covers on at night and use boric acid lightly under cabinets, works like magic.
They’re usually outdoor roaches that sneak in for water or food. Check weather stripping, under doors, and any vent openings. I recommend using glue traps in dark corners, it helps figure out where they’re coming from.
I live in Florida and those things are basically roommates here. Keeping humidity low helps a ton. I run a dehumidifier near the kitchen and haven’t seen one in months.
If you don’t want to use chemicals, diatomaceous earth is a good option. Just dust it around baseboards, under the fridge, and near plumbing. It’s non-toxic and kills them by drying out their exoskeletons.
I thought mine came from neighbors until I found a gap behind my dishwasher that led to a pipe chase. Sealed it with expanding foam, problem solved overnight. They’re sneaky.
American roaches often live under the house or in crawl spaces. Treating just indoors won’t cut it. You need perimeter bait and residual spray outside to stop them at the source.
I freaked out the first time I saw one too. If it helps, seeing a few doesn’t always mean an infestation, they can wander in through vents or open doors. Still, act fast before they find a water source inside.
Keep checking for leaks under the sink, they love moisture. I sealed mine, sprayed the baseboards, and used gel bait stations. Haven’t seen one in six months now. It’s doable, promise!