How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your House

By Nick, Active Termite Control, licensed pest controller (NSW licence 5074559), Earlwood. Updated 21 October 2026.

The short answer: First work out which cockroach you've got. Large cockroaches come in from outside: cut off food, water and the way in, and if they keep coming, my general pest treatment covers them from $270 within 7 km of Earlwood, with a 6-month guarantee. Small (German) cockroaches breed indoors and need a different treatment. Call me for those.

Which cockroach have I got?

Large cockroaches are the big dark brown or reddish brown ones that wander in from outside; German cockroaches are small and light brown with two dark stripes behind the head, and live in kitchens.

If you're not sure, send me a photo.

How do I get rid of large cockroaches?

Take away what brings them in: food, water and gaps.

1. Clean up food. Wipe up crumbs and spills, don't leave dishes out overnight, and keep food in sealed containers.
2. Fix the water. Dripping taps, leaks under the sink and wet spots in the bathroom or laundry.
3. Close the way in. Gaps under doors, torn screens, and gaps around pipes where they come through the wall.
4. Keep drains covered and clear.
5. Clear out clutter in cupboards, the garage and the laundry, where they hide.

If they keep turning up after that, they're coming from the subfloor, the roof or the garden, and that's where a treatment goes.

What does a general pest treatment for cockroaches include?

A general pest treatment covers large cockroaches, along with spiders and ants. Because large cockroaches come in from outside and hide in the subfloor and roof, the treatment covers all of it:

• Outside: I spray along the exterior walls, around the windows and doors, the eaves and the fence line, plus garages and sheds.
• Subfloor: I dust it through the vents, or through the subfloor door if there are no vents.
• Roof: I dust the roof space from a ladder.
• Inside: I spray along all the skirting boards.

General pest treatments come with a 6-month guarantee covering cockroaches, spiders and ants. If they come back within 6 months, call me and I'll come back and sort it out. Sometimes that means treating the problem area, sometimes doing the whole job again.

How do I get ready for a cockroach treatment?

• Pets: keep them away from the spray while it dries. Taking them for a walk for an hour is easiest.
• Washing: don't hang any on the line.
• Dog bowls: bring them inside, away from the areas being sprayed.
• Skirting boards: clear anything stacked against them so I can get to them.

How do I get rid of German cockroaches?

Call me. German cockroaches aren't covered by a general treatment. They need a different treatment and are quoted separately. In the meantime, the cleaning steps above still help.

What are the signs of cockroaches?

• Seeing them, especially at night, or one running when you switch on a light
• Droppings: small dark specks like pepper or coffee grounds, in cupboards and drawers
• Egg cases: small brown capsules in corners, behind appliances or in cupboards
• A musty smell in cupboards when there are a lot of them

More on cockroach treatments on my cockroach control page.

Common questions

How do I get rid of large cockroaches?
Clean up food, fix leaks, close gaps and keep drains covered. If they keep coming, a general pest treatment covers them.

How do I get rid of German cockroaches?
Call me. German cockroaches aren't covered by a general treatment and need a different treatment, quoted separately.

How do I tell German cockroaches from large ones?
German cockroaches are small and light brown with two dark stripes behind the head, and mostly live in kitchens. Large ones are dark brown or reddish brown and come in from outside.

How much does a cockroach treatment cost?
My general treatment covers large cockroaches: $270 single storey or $300 two storey within 7 km of Earlwood, and $50 more beyond that.

Is there a guarantee on cockroach treatment?
Yes. General pest treatments come with a 6-month guarantee. If they come back within 6 months, I come back and sort it out.