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Fix cockroaches in apartment

We'll help you remove attractants, use gel bait to kill the colony, seal entry points—or when to call an exterminator or notify your landlord.

Troubleshooting · Home care
30 min setup, 1–2 weeks for bait to work
What you'll need
  • Gel bait (fipronil, indoxacarb, or hydramethylnon)
  • Boric acid (optional)
  • Caulk or weather stripping
Step 1 of 5

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Steps

Goal: Remove attractants, use gel bait to kill the colony, and seal entry points.

  • Remove food and water sources. Wipe counters, seal food, fix leaks.
  • Good: Attractants removed. Proceed to Bait path.
  • Bad: Still have accessible food or water—remove them first.

Bait path

Goal: Use gel bait to kill the colony.

  • Place gel bait stations or dots in corners, under the sink, behind appliances, and along baseboards. Do not spray—that scatters roaches. Wait 1–2 weeks.
  • Good: Roach activity drops. Proceed to Seal path.
  • Bad: Still many roaches after two weeks—check if they come from neighbors; call an exterminator or notify your landlord.

Seal path

Goal: Seal entry points after reducing the population.

  • Caulk cracks around pipes and baseboards. Weather-strip doors. Check if roaches come from neighboring units.
  • Good: Entry points sealed. Maintain bait and monitor for return.
  • Bad: Roaches return—may come from neighbors; notify landlord for building-wide treatment.

When to get help

Call an exterminator or notify your landlord if:

  • The infestation is large or keeps returning.
  • Roaches likely come from a neighboring unit (building-wide treatment needed).

Verification

  • Roach activity is greatly reduced or gone.
  • Food is sealed and counters are clean.
  • Entry points are sealed.
  • Landlord notified if roaches come from neighbors.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Remove food and water Wipe counters, seal food, fix leaks.
  2. Place gel bait Gel bait in corners, under sink, behind appliances.
  3. Seal entry points Caulk cracks; weather-strip doors.
  4. Call exterminator or landlord Large infestation or roaches from neighbors.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Where roaches are most seen
  • Whether bait was used
  • Steps already tried

Have you removed food and water sources?

Roaches need food and water to survive.

Wipe counters. Seal food. Fix leaks. Take out trash. Yes: place gel bait. No: remove attractants first.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Remove attractants first

Bait works better when other food is gone.

Remove food and water sources. Then place gel bait.

Done

Is roach activity decreasing?

Gel bait takes 1–2 weeks to work.

Place gel bait in corners, under sink, behind appliances. Seal cracks. Wait. Good: activity drops—maintain bait and sealing. Bad: still many roaches after two weeks—call exterminator or notify landlord.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Seal entry points

Prevent new roaches from entering.

Caulk cracks around pipes and baseboards. Weather-strip doors. Check if roaches come from neighbors—notify landlord if so.

Done

Call an exterminator or notify landlord

Call an exterminator if the infestation is large or keeps returning. In apartments, roaches often come from neighbors—notify your landlord for building-wide treatment.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why are there cockroaches in my apartment?
Cockroaches come for food, water, and shelter. Crumbs, spills, and unsealed food attract them. In apartments they often enter through shared walls, pipes, or from neighboring units. German cockroaches are common in multi-unit buildings.
What is the best way to get rid of cockroaches in an apartment?
Use gel bait—not spray. Gel bait lets roaches eat the poison and carry it back to the nest. Spray kills visible roaches but not the colony. Remove food and water sources. Seal cracks. Bait can take 1–2 weeks to work.
When should I call an exterminator for cockroaches?
Call an exterminator if you see many roaches, they keep returning after DIY treatment, or the infestation may come from a neighboring unit. In apartments, the landlord may be responsible for building-wide treatment.

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