Cockroach Control in Southern States

December 22, 2025 · Regional Pest Guide Team · cockroaches regional

If you live in the South, you’re sharing your zip code with more cockroach species than anywhere else in the country. Warm, humid climates are cockroach paradise — but that doesn’t mean you have to share your home with them.

Key Strategies

  • The German cockroach is the #1 indoor pest cockroach nationwide — small, light brown, found in kitchens and bathrooms
  • American cockroaches (palmetto bugs) are large, reddish-brown, and thrive outdoors in the South but enter homes seeking moisture
  • Smoky brown cockroaches are common in the Southeast — similar to American roaches but uniformly dark brown and strongly attracted to lights
  • German roach control: gel baits are far more effective than sprays. Place small dots in cracks, hinges, and under appliances

Additional Considerations

  • For American and smoky brown roaches: seal entry points, reduce outdoor harborage (mulch, leaf litter, woodpiles), and treat the perimeter
  • Reduce moisture — fix leaky pipes, use dehumidifiers, ensure proper ventilation. Roaches need water more than food
  • Keep drains clean and covered — cockroaches travel through sewer systems and enter through floor drains
  • Professional treatment may be necessary for German cockroach infestations — they reproduce extremely fast

Taking Action

The key themes here are control prevention moisture southern. Start with prevention, monitor for early signs of problems, and escalate to targeted treatments only when needed. Most pest issues are far easier to prevent than to resolve after they’re established.

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