Which cockroaches live in Sacramento homes?
UC IPM lists five cockroaches that commonly invade California homes: German, brownbanded, oriental, American and Turkestan. They fall into two groups. German and brownbanded roaches live and breed indoors. The others live outdoors and wander in.
The species matters because treatment differs. UC IPM says you should identify the roach before acting, and that sticky traps are a good way to catch one for identification.
Why are German cockroaches the hardest to get rid of?
UC IPM calls the German cockroach the most persistent and troublesome in California, and the most common indoor species, especially in multi-unit housing. It likes kitchens and bathrooms with warmth, moisture and food. An adult can hide in a crack just 1/16 inch wide.
They also multiply fast. UC IPM says a single female and her offspring can produce over 30,000 roaches in a year. That's why a few roaches on the counter at night can mean a much larger population behind appliances and cabinets.
What about the big roaches near drains and meter boxes?
Those are usually outdoor species. UC IPM says oriental cockroaches live in cool, damp places such as garages, drains and water meter boxes, and may wander in at night. American cockroaches come up from sewers and storm drains, especially where pipes are damaged, screens are missing or drain traps are faulty.
UC IPM also says the Turkestan cockroach is displacing the oriental cockroach in warm, dry parts of California, including the Central Valley. It's often found in water meter boxes, concrete cracks, compost piles and leaf litter. Outdoor roaches are controlled with baits placed in meter boxes, drains or under slabs.
Do bug bombs and sprays work on roaches?
No. UC IPM advises against foggers, bombs and aerosol sprays, which can scatter roaches into other areas without killing them. It says insecticide sprays don't provide long-term control and that pesticides alone will not solve a cockroach problem.
Bait gels and bait stations are the primary tools. UC IPM says to place them near hiding spots, and that a bait program doesn't give immediate results: it may take 7 days or longer to see fewer roaches. Boric acid and desiccant dusts can work inside hollow walls and under refrigerators if they stay dry, but UC IPM notes this may require a professional.
What should I do before and after treatment?
Pesticides work best with sanitation and exclusion, UC IPM says. Do these before and after any treatment:
- Store food in sealed containers and keep trash in lidded cans
- Fix plumbing and irrigation leaks so roaches lose their water
- Clean behind appliances and vacuum cracks and crevices (UC IPM suggests a HEPA or triple-filter vacuum)
- Clear cardboard, paper piles and clutter, especially in kitchens and bathrooms
- Seal cracks and add door sweeps and weather stripping
- Leave bait stations and gels in place, and keep sticky traps out to track results
Why do roaches matter for health?
UC IPM says indoor cockroaches are a significant public health pest. Their shed skins and droppings produce allergens that have been identified as a risk factor for asthma in children, especially in multi-unit housing. German cockroaches contaminate food and eating surfaces, and American cockroaches can carry bacteria that cause food poisoning.
How much does a cockroach exterminator cost?
National cost guides put cockroach treatment at $150 to $450 (Fixr, 2025) and $100 to $600 (This Old House, 2026). Those are national figures, not Sacramento prices. Price depends on the species, the size of the infestation, and how many follow-up visits are included.
Ask how many visits are in the quote, what products will be used, and what you need to do between visits. Ask about follow-ups, since UC IPM says a bait program may take 7 days or longer to show results.
Who pays if I rent?
Usually the landlord. California Civil Code §1941.1 requires rentals to be free of rodents and vermin, and the Attorney General's tenant guide lists adequate pest control for insects like roaches as a landlord duty. The exception is when the tenant's failure to keep the unit clean substantially caused the problem (§1941.2). Report roaches in writing and keep a copy.
How do I check a roach exterminator's license?
Household pest control, which includes cockroaches, is Branch 2 work under the Structural Pest Control Board. The company must be registered and the person treating your home must be a licensed operator, field representative or applicator working for it. Look the company up with the Board's license search.
Before it applies any pesticide, the company must give you written notice naming the pest, the pesticide and its active ingredient. After the visit it must leave a notice naming each pesticide applied. Ask for both.
| Species | Where it lives | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| German | Indoors: kitchens, bathrooms, near food and water | Baits and gels, sanitation, sealing cracks; often needs a professional |
| Brownbanded | Indoors: near appliances, furniture, clutter; about 1% of indoor infestations | Harder to control with baits; professional help |
| Oriental | Outdoors: garages, drains, water meter boxes | Baits in meter boxes and drains; seal entry points |
| Turkestan | Outdoors: meter boxes, concrete cracks, leaf litter | Baits outdoors; remove debris |
| American | Sewers, storm drains; enters via damaged pipes | Repair pipes, add screens, fix drain traps |
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Frequently asked questions
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Sources
- Pest Notes: Cockroaches (Publication 7467, updated 12/2019) — UC Statewide IPM Program
- Roach Exterminator Cost (updated January 31, 2025) — Fixr
- How Much Does Pest Control Cost? (2026 Pricing), updated 03/12/2026 — This Old House
- Household Pest Control: Questions and Answers — California Structural Pest Control Board
- How do I become a Structural Pest Control Board licensee? (The Three Branches of Structural Pest Control) — California Structural Pest Control Board
- Search For A License — California Structural Pest Control Board
- California Civil Code §1941.1 (untenantable dwellings) — California Legislative Information
- California Civil Code §1941.2 (tenant obligations) — statute text — Public.Law (reproduction of the California Civil Code)
- Know Your Rights as a California Tenant: Your Right to a Safe and Well-Maintained Home — California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General