What Else Can I Do to Get Rid of Cockroaches? I'm at My Wit's End.

Question

Okay, fellow landlords — I need help.

For the last 2.5 months, I’ve been battling a cockroach infestation at one of my rental properties in Indianapolis, and I’m seriously starting to feel like the roaches are winning.

Here’s what I’ve done so far:

• Professional pest control has been out 7 times (yep, SEVEN).
• I’ve put out baits and bait stations everywhere.
• The tenants are keeping the home clean — no food or trash left out.
• I’m in the process of sealing up any cracks or possible entry points.
• We’ve even tried flushing drains and looking under/inside appliances.

Professional pest control has been out 7 times (yep, SEVEN).

I’ve put out baits and bait stations everywhere.

The tenants are keeping the home clean — no food or trash left out.

I’m in the process of sealing up any cracks or possible entry points.

We’ve even tried flushing drains and looking under/inside appliances.

And still… they’re everywhere.

Now the tenants have decided to move out because the issue hasn’t resolved, and I don’t blame them. I’m out money, time, and ideas — and at this point I’m wondering if it’s time to just sign the deed over to the roaches. 🪳

Has anyone dealt with an infestation this stubborn before?
Are there more extreme measures I should take before tenting or gutting the house?
Any hidden places I might be overlooking? Any Indianapolis-specific pest tricks?

I’m desperate and open to any and all suggestions. Please help me evict these squatters.

Chad Hale · Answer

Have they infested the appliances.  Once that happens it may be difficult to get rid of them.

May need to get new appliances.

Wesley W. · Answer

There is probably a readily-available non-bait food source that the roaches  are still using.  If the infestation is that bad, it's best that the tenants move.  Then you can remove that variable.  I have seldom seen a tenant, on their own, do what's necessary to deny the roaches enough resources, despite what they may tell you.  It takes consistency and commitment, and few households will have that.

Wait until they move out, then clean the place of any food crumbs, etc.  Move appliances, clean near kick plates of cabinets.  Now with everyone moved out, really address access points. Then use your bait. I've used Advion bait with great success.

It may take up to a month to totally shut down the infestation, so be vigilant and keep monitoring.  DO NOT LET UP.  You need to get all the roaches that were eggs when you started to work through an entire life cycle. Remove dead roaches so they themselves are not used as a food source.  The most common mistakes I see are (a) tenants not REALLY buttoning up food sources (impossible if they have pets, btw), and (b) quitting the treatment too early.

Good luck!

Maurielle B. · Answer

Cockroaches will only continue living there if there is a food or water source. I recommend that you pull out and inspect appliances, or consider removing/replacing them. My longest pest control nightmares were due to forgetting to check the backside of fridge or forgetting to pull out the dishwasher and checking the insulation of the dishwasher. I have plenty of experiences with german roaches attracted to those areas due to the heat from the appliances and forgotten food crumbs.Not sure if you are managing a SFH but if this is MF, then you need to inspect the neighboring units.

I also recommend hiring a 2nd or 3rd opinion from a different pest control company if you have not already. Good luck!

Chad Hale · Answer

Forgot to mention, if tenants are bringing groceries/food in from stores in cardboard boxes, that could also be a source.  The eggs are in the corrugated parts of the boxes, hatch, reinfest.

Julia Lozano · Answer

Thank you! I appreciate the advice and we will keep working at it!

Matthew Paul · Answer

Tent the house , its expensive but if they move out it works

Keyona Taylor · Answer

Not a professional roach buster, but from what I know, roaches are drawn to moisture. Even if the home seems dry on the surface, I’d double-check for things like a slow leak inside a wall, under the sink base, or even behind the dishwasher or fridge (like the drip pan) — more like trapped humidity in wall voids or cabinets.

You’ve clearly done a ton already, and I really hope you get a breakthrough soon!

Peter Mckernan · Answer

The pest company might be the wrong company too hire.. I have had a gopher issue one time on a property, hired a company that said they would take care of it.. Paid them three months of work, still gophers. Get another couple companies out there to really dig in since the tenant moved out you can really get to the bottom of the issue. There is probably a nest somewhere close or in the walls, I would do a deep dive on the issues and fixing them asap.

What Else Can I Do to Get Rid of Cockroaches? I'm at My Wit's End.

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