If you see one, there are hundreds you don’t.

You flick on the kitchen light at 2am and something small darts behind the stove. You know what it was. And you know there’s no such thing as "just one cockroach."

Cockroaches are among the most resilient pests on the planet. German cockroaches — the most common species in Ontario homes and apartments — can produce 300,000 offspring from a single pair in a year. They hide in cracks as thin as a coin, they feed on almost anything (including glue, grease, and soap), and they’re active almost exclusively at night. By the time you see one, the colony is well established.

Spray-and-pray doesn’t work on cockroaches. The ones you hit die; the rest scatter deeper into your walls. We use a targeted approach — gel baits that cockroaches carry back to the colony, combined with insect growth regulators (IGRs) that prevent juveniles from reproducing. It takes out the whole population, not just the scouts.

Signs of a cockroach infestation

• Seeing a cockroach — even one — especially at night when you turn on a light
• Small, dark droppings that look like ground pepper or coffee grounds (in drawers, behind appliances, under sinks)
• A musty, oily smell — heavy cockroach infestations have a distinct odor
• Egg cases (oothecae) — small, dark brown capsules found in hidden areas
• Shed skins in cabinets, behind the fridge, or in bathroom vanities
• Smear marks — dark, irregular streaks on walls near entry points or water sources

How we eliminate them

We don’t just spray. Spraying baseboards kills a few cockroaches on contact and scatters the rest. It makes the problem look better for a week and worse after that. Here’s what actually works:

Gel bait application. We apply professional-grade gel bait in precise locations — behind outlets, inside cabinet hinges, along plumbing penetrations, behind appliances. Cockroaches eat the bait and return to the colony. When they die, other cockroaches feed on the remains and are exposed too. This cascade effect reaches roaches deep inside walls that no spray could touch.

Insect growth regulators (IGRs). These prevent juvenile cockroaches from reaching reproductive maturity. Even if some adults survive the initial treatment, the colony can’t sustain itself.

Crack and crevice treatment. For severe infestations, we apply a residual dust into wall voids, behind electrical plates, and in other harbourage areas. This provides long-term kill for cockroaches moving through hidden spaces.

We also identify and address moisture issues — cockroaches need water more than food. A leaky pipe under your sink is an invitation.

What to expect

• First visit: Thorough inspection to identify species (German, Oriental, American — treatment differs), harbourage areas, and moisture sources. Bait and IGR application. Takes about 1 hour.
• Days 1-7: You’ll likely see more cockroach activity initially — this is normal. The bait is working. Cockroaches that were hiding are now coming out to feed on it.
• Follow-up (2-3 weeks): We inspect, re-bait as needed, and check population levels. Most moderate infestations show 80-90% reduction by this point.
• Severe infestations: May require 3-4 visits over 6-8 weeks. German cockroaches in multi-unit buildings are particularly persistent because neighbouring units can re-infest. We’ll be upfront about this.

Common questions about cockroach removal

Other services

Where we offer cockroach removal