Cockroaches · Atlanta, GA
Cockroach control: indoor breeders vs. outdoor invaders
Big roaches that fly in from the trees and small roaches that breed behind your fridge are completely different problems. The treatment plan depends on which one you have.
Looking for a roach exterminator in Atlanta? First figure out whether you have indoor German roaches or outdoor “palmetto bugs”. Palmetto bug control and German roach treatment are different jobs.
Call if you notice:
- You see roaches more than once a week
- Big dark roaches coming in at night
- Small striped roaches in the kitchen
Which roach is it?
| German cockroach | Smokybrown / American ("palmetto bug") | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | ~1/2–5/8 in | ~1–2 in |
| Where it lives | Indoors: kitchens and bathrooms | Outdoors: trees, mulch, gutters, crawl spaces, sewers |
| What sightings mean | An indoor breeding population | Usually entry from outside |
| Strategy | Baits, growth regulators, sanitation, follow-up | Exterior treatment, exclusion, moisture and harborage reduction |
Why Atlanta has so many big roaches
UGA entomologists note that "palmetto bug" is a catch-all for smokybrown, American and Oriental cockroaches. Smokybrowns are most common where there are large, mature hardwoods and high humidity, which describes much of intown Atlanta. They live in gutters, tree holes, mulch and attics, and come inside through gaps around doors, vents and plumbing.
Our approach (in principle)
Identify the species
Sticky monitors and an inspection show which species, where, and how many. Cockroach identification.
Indoor German roaches
Gel baits in cracks, insect growth regulators, removing harborage, and scheduled follow-ups. UGA advises against bug bombs for German roaches.
Outdoor species
Granular and residual exterior treatments in mulch and harborage; sealing door sweeps, weep holes and utility gaps; gutter and crawl-space moisture fixes.
What affects cockroach-control cost
We don’t publish prices before an inspection. These factors determine the scope of work:
- Species and population size
- Number of rooms affected
- Clutter and sanitation conditions
- Number of follow-up visits needed
How it works
Call
Tell us what you’re seeing, where, and for how long. Photos help.
Inspection
A technician checks the house, crawl space or basement, attic access and yard, and finds the source, not just the symptoms.
Your plan
You get the treatment options that fit your home, what each involves, and the factors that set the cost, before any work starts.
Treatment & follow-up
Targeted treatment, practical fixes you can make, and follow-up visits where the pest needs them.
Frequently asked questions
Do bug bombs work on cockroaches?
UGA IPM specialists say total-release aerosols are ineffective against German cockroaches and should not be used indoors. They scatter roaches deeper into walls.
Does seeing one big roach mean an infestation?
Not necessarily. A single smokybrown or American roach often wandered in from outside. Repeated sightings of small roaches in the kitchen point to an indoor German roach population.
Do cockroaches mean my home is dirty?
No. Smokybrown and American cockroaches wander into clean homes from trees, mulch and drains, and German cockroaches often arrive in boxes, grocery bags or used appliances. Good sanitation makes treatment work better, but it isn’t the cause.
Cockroach Control across Atlanta
We cover intown Atlanta inside I-285 and the nearby cities listed below.
Intown Atlanta
- Downtown Atlanta
- Midtown Atlanta
- Old Fourth Ward
- West Midtown & Northwest Atlanta
- Inman Park
- Poncey-Highland
- Virginia-Highland
- Morningside-Lenox Park
- Ansley Park
- Candler Park & Lake Claire
- Kirkwood & Edgewood
- East Lake
- East Atlanta & Ormewood Park
- Grant Park & Glenwood Park
- West End & Vine City
- Westview & Mozley Park
- Southwest Atlanta
- Southeast & South-Central Atlanta
- Buckhead