American Cockroach Control

American Cockroaches In Central Texas

The American cockroach is the largest roach most homeowners encounter, and it comes from the drains and sewers rather than breeding in the kitchen.

Because American cockroaches come from the drain and sewer system rather than nesting in the kitchen, treating and sealing the drains is what actually keeps them out.

Signs You Have American Cockroaches

American cockroaches announce themselves with their size and their entry points:

• Large reddish-brown roaches in bathrooms, basements, garages, and near drains.
• Roaches emerging from floor drains or sink overflows, especially at night.
• Large, cylindrical droppings with blunt ends and ridged sides.
• Egg cases in damp, hidden spots like crawl spaces and under sinks.
• A musty odor in areas with steady activity.

Are American Cockroaches Dangerous?

American cockroaches are primarily a contamination risk. They travel through sewers, drains, and garbage and then across counters, dishes, and food, and the NIH MedlinePlus overview of Salmonella covers one of the illnesses they can carry.

They do not bite or sting, and unlike German cockroaches they rarely build large indoor breeding populations, so the concern is what they track in from the sewer rather than an infestation multiplying in the kitchen. Their droppings and shed skins can still contribute to indoor allergens.

How We Get Rid of American Cockroaches

Stride treats American cockroaches through the five-step Stride Forward process, aimed at the drains and entry points they use:

1. Inspect. We check drains, crawl spaces, basements, and the gaps around pipes where American roaches travel.
2. Identify. We confirm American cockroaches, since drain and exclusion work differs from the interior baiting used for German roaches.
3. Recommend. We flag the drains to treat, the moisture to fix, and the entry points to seal.
4. Treat. We treat the drains, voids, and exterior entry points, and apply a perimeter treatment to intercept roaches before they get in.
5. Evaluate. We follow up to confirm the entry routes are closed and activity has stopped.

Our GreenPro certification guides this reduced-risk approach.

How to Keep American Cockroaches Away

Keeping American cockroaches out is mostly about drains and moisture:

• Cover and maintain drains, the highway they use to get inside.
• Seal gaps around pipes, the foundation, and crawl-space openings.
• Fix moisture in basements, crawl spaces, and under sinks.
• Keep mulch, leaf litter, and firewood back from the foundation.
• Reduce exterior lighting that draws them toward the house at night.

American Cockroach Control Frequently Asked Questions

Stride Forward is our Integrated Pest Management program where we partner with our clients in the long-term removal and prevention of pests. Keeping your property free of unwanted insects and rodents works best when we work together.

The program combines habitat manipulation, biological control, cultural behavior changes, and the targeted use of products designed to repel or eradicate pests. Our approach follows five steps, with non-chemical methods prioritized before any product application.

Our Certifications & Awards

Stride Pest Control holds QualityPro and GreenPro certifications through the NPMA’s Foundation for Professional Pest Management, and fewer than 3% of pest control companies nationwide hold both. QualityPro requires background checks on every service member, a drug-free workplace, and 16 standards that exceed state and federal requirements.

Our Austin and Round Rock office operates under Texas Department of Agriculture license TPCL #667951, with Burton Johnston as Responsible Certified Applicator. Our San Antonio office operates under TPCL #827449, with Alex Randall as Responsible Certified Applicator. Our office manager, Michael Honeycutt, is an Associate Certified Entomologist through the Entomological Society of America.

Founded in 2013, we have served nearly 12,000 customers across Central Texas and hold a 4.9-star rating across 2,400+ reviews with an A+ from the BBB.