How to get rid
of cockroaches.
How to get rid of cockroaches: identify the type, cut off food and water, use baits instead of sprays, seal hiding places and monitor with sticky traps. A guide for Toronto homes.
Cockroaches hide in cracks near food and water, and the most common indoor type in Toronto, the German cockroach, breeds very quickly. Getting rid of them means taking away what they need to survive and using baits that they carry back to their hiding places.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches:
step by step.
1. Identify the cockroach
Small tan cockroaches with two dark stripes behind the head are German cockroaches, usually in kitchens and bathrooms. Large reddish-brown ones in basements are often American cockroaches, and shiny black ones near drains are Oriental cockroaches. The type changes where you focus.
2. Cut off food
Clean up spills right away, store food in sealed containers, clean behind and under appliances, do not leave dishes or pet food out overnight, and take garbage out daily in sealed bags.
3. Cut off water
Repair leaky taps and pipes, wrap pipes that drip with condensation, wipe sinks dry at night and use a dehumidifier in damp areas.
4. Seal hiding places
Seal and caulk cracks, crevices and gaps around pipes under sinks and behind appliances. Reduce clutter such as stored cardboard boxes, which cockroaches use for shelter.
5. Use baits, not sprays
Gel baits and bait stations placed in cracks and corners near activity kill cockroaches over several days as they feed and return to hiding spots. Do not spray insecticide on or near baits; it repels cockroaches and stops them eating the bait. Use only products with a Pest Control Products (PCP) number and follow the label.
6. Monitor with sticky traps
Place sticky traps under sinks, behind the fridge and stove and in cupboards. They show where activity is heaviest and whether numbers are dropping.
Mistakes
to avoid.
- Using bug bombs or foggers, which scatter cockroaches deeper into walls and neighbouring units.
- Spraying over gel baits.
- Treating only the room where you saw one cockroach.
- Ignoring the problem in an apartment instead of telling building management.
When to call
a professional.
Our cockroach exterminator service in Toronto costs $199–$399 per visit, before HST. Quotes are free, and we are fully licensed and insured.
Call a professional if
- You see cockroaches during the day, which can mean a large population.
- You see small nymphs as well as adults.
- Activity continues after two to three weeks of baiting.
- You live in an apartment or condo where neighbouring units may be affected.
Common questions.
How long does it take to get rid of cockroaches?
With good sanitation and baiting, a light problem can improve within a few weeks. German cockroach infestations usually need a follow-up treatment to deal with newly hatched nymphs.
Does seeing one cockroach mean an infestation?
Not always, but cockroaches hide during the day, so one sighting can mean more are hiding nearby. Set sticky traps to check.
Why do cockroaches come back after spraying?
Sprays only kill the insects they touch, and eggs inside egg cases are protected. Baits and repeat treatment reach the hidden population.
Still seeing activity?
Tell us what you are seeing, where and for how long. We will confirm the price before any work starts.
Guidance based on Health Canada: cockroaches. Updated October 6, 2026.