Welcome to Action Termite and Pest Control, your trusted experts in cockroach control. Cockroach infestations can pose significant health risks and create an uncomfortable living environment.
Our professional team offers superior cockroach control solutions to ensure your home or business remains cockroach-free.
Dealing with a Cockroach Infestation?
Cockroaches are among the most resilient pests in New Jersey. They breed quickly, contaminate food and surfaces, and can even spread disease!
Whether you’re a homeowner, property manager, or restaurant owner, ignoring a roach problem can damage your health, reputation, and property. And because cockroaches hide deep within walls, drains, and appliances, professional pest control is the only reliable way to stop an infestation before it worsens!
Identifying Cockroaches – Key Characteristics
Cockroaches are flat, fast-moving insects that thrive in dark, damp areas.
While species vary, they share several recognizable traits:
- Size & Color: Adults range from ½ to over 2 inches long, typically brown or black.
- Shape: Flattened bodies with long antennae and spiny legs.
- Behavior: Nocturnal and often scatter when exposed to light.
- Hiding Places: Kitchens, bathrooms, drains, basements, and under appliances.
- Egg Cases: Oval, brown oothecae that contain multiple eggs.
Cockroaches can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, trigger asthma and allergies, and contaminate surfaces they contact.
Main Types of Cockroaches in New Jersey
New Jersey’s climate and dense housing make it ideal for several cockroach species.
The four most common types are German, American, Oriental, and Brown-Banded cockroaches.
1. German Cockroach
Most common indoor species in New Jersey homes, apartments, and restaurants.
Key Traits:
- Size: Small (½ to ⅝ inch long).
- Color: Light brown or tan with two dark parallel stripes behind the head.
- Habitat: Prefers warm, humid areas, like kitchens, bathrooms, and behind appliances.
- Behavior: Fast-breeding; a single female can produce thousands of offspring yearly.
- Risk: Contaminates food and surfaces; spreads bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.
Control Tip: Requires professional baiting and sanitation since DIY sprays rarely reach hidden colonies.
2. American Cockroach
The American cockroach is the largest of the house-infesting roaches and a major pest in the United States. It’s also commonly known as the water bug, the Bombay canary or the palmetto bug. Despite its name, the American cockroach is not native to North America. Some evidence suggested that American cockroaches were introduced via ships from Africa in the early 1600s.
The American Cockroach enjoys the seafaring life and is one of the most common cockroaches on ships.
This cockroach is commonly found in sewers and basements, particularly around pipes.
Key Traits:
- Size: 1½ to 2 inches long.
- Color: Reddish-brown with a yellowish figure-8 pattern on the head.
- Habitat: Warm, moist areas such as basements, crawl spaces, boiler rooms, and drains.
- Behavior: Can glide short distances; active year-round indoors.
- Risk: Spreads disease-causing organisms and produces allergens.
Control Tip: Sealing entry points and addressing moisture issues are essential for prevention.
3. Oriental Cockroach
Believed to be of African origin despite its name, the oriental cockroach is one of the larger species of cockroach. These cockroaches are sometimes referred to as “waterbugs” because they hang out in damp areas, as well as “black beetle cockroaches” because of their smooth, dark bodies. Oriental cockroaches gain entry into households by going under doors and through gaps beneath siding, as well as following pipes, sewers and drains into a structure.
Key Traits:
- Size: Around 1 inch long.
- Color: Shiny black or very dark brown.
- Habitat: Found in basements, drains, and around outdoor debris or mulch.
- Behavior: Slower moving; often seen in spring and summer near moisture sources.
- Risk: Known for a strong odor and ability to contaminate food and surfaces.
Very often this cockroach, as well as other species, is called a “water bug” pissibly because cockroaches inhabit damp places, but it should be remembered that a water bug is merely a “cockroach.” In the city, it is a cockroach, in Beverly Hills it is a “water bug.”
This species is the most disliked of all cockroaches since it often travels through sewer pipes and lives on filth. It may enter the home in food packages and laundry, or simply come from under a door or through air-ducts. Large populations have been found in trash chutes, wall voids, and damp basements.
Control Tip: Eliminate standing water, fix leaks, and reduce outdoor clutter to discourage nesting.
4. Brown-Banded Cockroach
A smaller roach species that thrives in dry, warm environments — often above eye level.
Key Traits:
- Size: About ½ inch long.
- Color: Light brown with pale bands across the wings and abdomen.
- Habitat: Upper cabinets, closets, behind picture frames, and in electronics.
- Behavior: Avoids moisture; spreads throughout homes more than other roach types.
- Risk: Allergens and contamination, particularly in bedrooms and living areas.
Control Tip: Requires thorough inspection and treatment in hidden, high-up locations.
What Are the Signs of a Cockroach Infestation?
Early detection is key to preventing a full-scale outbreak.
Look out for these signs to spot a cockroach infestation:
- Droppings: Small black specks resembling coffee grounds or pepper.
- Egg Cases: Brown, oval capsules hidden behind appliances or furniture.
- Smell: A persistent, musty odor, especially in warm or damp spaces.
- Smear Marks: Brown streaks on walls or floors where roaches travel.
- Sightings: Live roaches at night or dead ones near water sources.
If you see any of these warning signs, contact Action Termite & Pest Control immediately.
Roaches in Your Home – What Are the Dangers?
Cockroaches are more than a nuisance – they can pose real health risks. Their droppings, shed skins, and saliva can worsen asthma, spread pathogens, and contaminate food.
They also reproduce rapidly, meaning a small problem can become a major infestation within weeks!
Contact Action Termite & Pest Control Immediately If You See…
> Live or dead cockroaches in your kitchen, bathroom, or around drains.
> Egg casings or droppings in cabinets, pantries, or baseboards.
> A strong, oily, or musty odor in confined spaces.
> Roaches visible during daylight hours — a sign of heavy infestation.
Seeing even one roach can indicate many more hiding nearby. Don’t wait – call a professional cockroach exterminator right away!
Take Action: Our Cockroach Removal Process
With over 50 years of experience, we use an integrated pest management approach for thorough, lasting cockroach elimination.
1. Property Inspection
Our technicians begin with a thorough inspection of your property to identify the type of cockroaches, locate their hiding spots, and assess the extent of the infestation. We check both interior and exterior areas, including kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and other common cockroach habitats.
2. Customized Treatment Plan
Based on our findings, we develop a tailored treatment plan designed to address the specific needs of your property. Our approach targets cockroaches at all life stages to ensure effective control.
3. Safe and Effective Treatment Methods
We use a combination of proven methods to eliminate cockroaches and prevent future infestations.
Our treatments include:
- Gel Baiting: Application of gel baits in strategic locations to attract and eliminate cockroaches.
- Insecticidal Dust: Use of insecticidal dust in cracks and crevices to target hidden cockroaches.
- Residual Sprays: Application of residual insecticides to areas where cockroaches are likely to travel, providing long-lasting control.
- Exclusion Services: Sealing potential entry points to prevent cockroaches from entering your property.
4. Follow-Up & Monitoring
After the initial treatment, we conduct follow-up visits to ensure that the infestation is fully resolved. We monitor for any signs of re-infestation and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
5. Prevention Tips
We provide practical advice on how to prevent future cockroach problems, including tips on proper sanitation, reducing moisture, and sealing entry points.
When is the Best Time to Treat Cockroaches?
Cockroaches can be active year-round in New Jersey, but infestations often worsen during warm, humid months. The best time to treat is as soon as you spot signs of activity. Early intervention prevents breeding and reduces treatment costs.
DIY vs. Professional Cockroach Control Services
Store-bought sprays or foggers may kill a few visible roaches but rarely reach the hidden nests where colonies thrive.
Pros of Professional Treatment:
- Complete elimination from eggs to adults.
- Safe, targeted products and techniques.
- Long-term prevention and monitoring.
Cons of DIY Methods:
- Limited reach and poor effectiveness.
- Risk of chemical exposure or misuse.
- Frequent re-infestation without addressing the root cause.
Trust the professionals at Action Termite & Pest Control for safe, lasting results.
Cockroach Infestation? Time to Call Action!
If you suspect cockroaches in your New Jersey home or business, don’t wait! Call Action Termite & Pest Control at 800-920-0906 for a free inspection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Cockroaches are drawn to food, moisture, and warmth. Crumbs, grease, leaky pipes, and clutter provide ideal conditions for them to thrive. Even small spills or pet food left overnight can attract roaches. Regular cleaning, sealing food containers, and fixing leaks can help reduce the risk of infestation.
Some species of cockroaches can glide or fly short distances, but most are not strong fliers. In New Jersey, the American cockroach is known for limited flight—often gliding when temperatures are warm or when startled. Other species, like the German or Oriental cockroach, rarely fly at all and rely mostly on crawling. Seeing a flying roach often indicates a heavy infestation, especially in warm or humid environments.
Yes, unfortunately cockroaches are excellent climbers. Their legs are equipped with tiny claws and adhesive pads that allow them to scale walls, cabinets, ceilings, and even glass surfaces. This ability helps them access food, moisture, and hiding places almost anywhere in your home. For this reason, sealing cracks, fixing leaks, and maintaining cleanliness are crucial to keeping roaches from spreading between rooms.
Yes! At Action Termite & Pest Control, all treatments are EPA-approved and applied by licensed professionals. We use targeted methods that minimize exposure while effectively eliminating roaches. Your technician will explain any temporary precautions, such as leaving treated areas until dry, to ensure complete safety for people and pets.
After professional extermination, prevention is key. Maintain a clean environment, store food in sealed containers, reduce humidity, and seal cracks or entry points around windows, doors, and plumbing. We also offer follow-up monitoring and preventative maintenance plans to ensure roaches don’t return.