Cockroach Control
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Cockroach Extermination Services
Stride Pest Control provides cockroach control for homes and businesses across Central Texas, where German cockroaches multiply in kitchens and American cockroaches push in from drains and sewers. Cockroaches are hard to clear on your own because they breed quickly, hide in cracks by day, and scatter and rebuild when they are only sprayed.
Stride treats cockroaches through the Stride Forward integrated pest management process, and the first step is identifying the species, because a German cockroach in the kitchen and an American cockroach from the drain call for different treatments. Baiting reaches the whole population where spraying only scatters it.
Every treatment is backed by a same-day service option and a satisfaction guarantee, and the products we use are odorless and colorless once dry. Because cockroaches and rodents thrive on the same conditions and both trigger allergies, Stride also handles rodent control and general pest control to address the whole problem.
Cockroaches In Central Texas
Several cockroaches turn up in Central Texas homes, and which one you have decides how it is treated. These are the ones Stride sees most.
| Cockroach | What To Know |
|---|---|
| German cockroach | Small and tan with two dark stripes. The worst indoor roach, breeding fast in warm kitchens and bathrooms, and the main asthma and allergy trigger. |
| American cockroach | Large and reddish-brown, often called a water bug. Lives in drains, sewers, and crawl spaces, then pushes indoors. |
| Oriental cockroach | Dark and glossy. Prefers cool, damp spots like drains, basements, and the cabinet under a sink. |
| Smoky brown cockroach | Large and dark, and common in Texas. Lives outdoors in mulch and trees, flies to lights, and wanders inside. |
The small tan German cockroach breeds indoors and is the hardest to control, while the large roaches mostly push in from outside, so telling them apart is the first step Stride takes.
Stride treats every cockroach in Central Texas. For the one you are dealing with, see our dedicated pages: German cockroaches, American cockroaches, Oriental cockroaches, smoky brown cockroaches, and brown-banded cockroaches.
Signs You Have Cockroaches
Cockroaches leave several signs, often before anyone sees a live one:
- Droppings that look like ground pepper or coffee grounds from small roaches, or small dark cylinders from large ones.
- A musty, oily odor that builds up in a heavy infestation.
- Egg cases, small brown capsules tucked in cabinets, behind appliances, and in cracks.
- Live roaches scattering when a light comes on at night.
- Smear marks in humid areas where roaches travel along the same routes.
Are Cockroaches Dangerous?
Cockroaches are one of the more consequential household pests for health, mainly because of what they carry and what they trigger. German cockroaches are a leading indoor allergen, and their droppings, saliva, and shed skins build up and set off asthma, especially in children. The EPA lists cockroaches among the top indoor asthma triggers.
They are also a contamination problem. Cockroaches crawl through drains, garbage, and sewers and then across counters, dishes, and food, spreading bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli along the way.
Cockroaches do not bite or sting in any meaningful way, so the danger is not the roach itself but the allergens and germs it leaves on the surfaces where food is prepared. That is why an infestation is worth treating quickly rather than living with.
How We Get Rid of Cockroaches
Stride treats cockroaches through the five-step Stride Forward process, and species identification drives the plan:
- Inspect. We check the kitchen, bathrooms, drains, and the voids behind appliances for roaches, droppings, and egg cases.
- Identify. We confirm the species, since German cockroaches need interior baiting and large roaches need drain and exclusion work.
- Recommend. We flag the moisture, food debris, and drain issues feeding them.
- Treat. For German cockroaches we place gel bait and an insect growth regulator in the cracks and voids where they live, rather than spraying, which scatters them and makes the problem worse. For large roaches we treat drains, voids, and exterior entry points.
- Evaluate. We follow up, because roach egg cases are protected and a second round catches what hatches after the first.
Our GreenPro certification guides this reduced-risk approach.
How to Keep Cockroaches Away
Keeping roaches out comes down to cutting off food, water, and entry:
- Clean up food debris nightly, wiping counters and doing dishes, since roaches forage after dark.
- Store food and pet food sealed, and keep the trash lidded.
- Fix leaks and reduce moisture under sinks and in bathrooms.
- Seal cracks and gaps around pipes, cabinets, and baseboards.
- Cover and clear drains, the highway large roaches use to get inside.
- Keep mulch, leaf litter, and firewood back from the foundation.
Cockroach Control Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have roaches if my house is clean?
A clean home helps, but it is not a guarantee. American and smoky brown roaches come in from drains, sewers, and outdoors regardless, and German cockroaches often hitchhike in on bags, boxes, and used appliances.
What’s the difference between the big roaches and the little ones?
The small tan roaches are usually German cockroaches, which breed indoors and are the hardest to control. The large reddish-brown ones are American cockroaches that push in from drains and outside. They call for different treatments.
Why shouldn’t I just spray the roaches I see?
Spraying German cockroaches scatters the colony into new areas and misses the ones hidden in wall voids. Gel bait works better because the roaches carry it back and it reaches the population you never see.
Where are the roaches in my bathroom coming from?
Large roaches travel up through floor drains, sink overflows, and gaps around pipes. Sealing those openings and treating the drains cuts off the route they use to get in.
THE STRIDE FORWARD PROGRAM
Our Strategic ECO-BASED Protocol
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.
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Stride Pest Control received an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars
based on 2,400+ reviews.
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You do not have to live with pests. Stride Pest Control offers same-day service across Central Texas with a satisfaction guarantee on every treatment.
4.9 stars across 2,400+ reviews | QualityPro certified | Satisfaction guaranteed