The reliable way to get rid of roaches is to bait rather than spray, remove the food and water that draw them in, and seal the cracks they travel through. Sprays scatter roaches and rarely reach the nest, while gel bait and bait stations get carried back and wipe out the colony. In humid Houston, German roaches breed fast, so consistency over a few weeks matters more than any single treatment. Work through the steps below in order.
What you'll need
- A caulk gun
- A flashlight
- Disposable gloves
- Paper towels and cleaning spray
- A vacuum
Recommended parts & supplies
- Roach bait stations — set along walls and under sinks where roaches travel
- Roach gel bait syringe — pea-size dabs in cracks and hinges beat any spray
- Diatomaceous earth (food grade) — a thin dust in voids and behind appliances
- Pest-proof door sweep — closes the gap under exterior doors
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Step by step
- 1
Find where they are hiding
Roaches cluster where it is warm, dark, and damp. With a flashlight, check under the sink, behind and under the refrigerator and stove, inside the dishwasher gap, and in bathroom cabinets. Seeing them in daylight, or spotting dark specks (droppings) in these spots, means the population is already large and you need to bait hard.
- 2
Cut off their food and water
Roaches can live on crumbs and grease alone. Wipe counters and the stovetop nightly, sweep under appliances, store food and pet food in sealed containers, take trash out daily, and never leave dishes in the sink overnight. Just as important in Houston: fix dripping faucets and dry the sink, because a leaky pipe is a roach water source.
- 3
Place gel bait in the right spots
Apply pea-size dabs of gel bait into cracks and crevices — cabinet corners, hinge gaps, behind the stove, along baseboards under the sink. Place many small dabs rather than a few big ones. Do not spray insecticide near the bait; the spray repels roaches away from the bait that would actually kill the colony.
- 4
Set bait stations along their runways
Tuck enclosed bait stations flush against walls and in the back of cabinets, where roaches run. The roaches feed, return to the harborage, and pass the bait to others. Leave them undisturbed and replace them per the package, usually every couple of months.
- 5
Dust hidden voids with diatomaceous earth
For gaps you cannot bait — behind the dishwasher, inside the motor compartment area of the fridge, wall voids at pipe openings — puff a light film of food-grade diatomaceous earth. A barely visible layer works; a thick pile gets avoided. It stays effective as long as it is dry.
- 6
Seal the cracks and gaps they use
Caulk gaps around pipes under the sink, along baseboards, and where cabinets meet the wall, and add a door sweep to exterior doors. Sealing these entry and travel routes keeps new roaches out and pushes the survivors toward your bait. Re-check your bait weekly for a month and reapply where it has been eaten.
When to call a pro
Call a licensed pest control pro if you still see roaches after three to four weeks of consistent baiting, if you spot them in daylight in multiple rooms, or if egg cases (small brown capsules) keep appearing — all signs of a heavy German-roach infestation that home products struggle to clear. A pro also makes sense in an apartment or duplex, where roaches travel through shared walls and you cannot control the neighboring unit. Professional-grade baits, growth regulators, and a treatment guarantee are worth it once the population is established.
Get a free quote from a local pro
No obligation — a licensed, insured local Houston partner will reach out. Available 24/7 for emergencies.
How to Prevent and Get Rid of Roaches in Your Houston Home — FAQ
Why do I have roaches even though my house is clean?
Does spraying kill roaches?
How long does it take to get rid of roaches?
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