Insect · High risk
American Cockroach
The American cockroach is the largest cockroach found in Quebec. Reddish brown and glossy, it settles into damp basements, crawl spaces and sewer lines, then contaminates food surfaces.
28-44 mm · Glossy reddish brown
§1Distinctive features
How to identify it
A 28 to 44 mm cockroach, glossy reddish brown, recognizable by the pale yellow figure-eight band behind the head. Long, thread-like antennae, wings covering the whole abdomen in adults, able to flutter short distances.
§2Habitat
Where to find it
You will find it in warm, damp places: basements, mechanical rooms, crawl spaces, drains, sewers, commercial kitchens and back rooms. It moves through pipes and foundation cracks, mostly at night.
§3Reproduction
Lifecycle
The full cycle takes 6 to 15 months depending on heat and humidity. Inside a heated building, breeding goes on all year without any seasonal pause.
§4What to look out for
Signs of presence
- Large brown cockroaches fleeing the light at night
- Black, granular droppings along baseboards
- Persistent musty odour in affected rooms
- Brown egg cases glued under sinks and pipes
§5Real risks
Risks
- Contamination of food and surfaces with bacteria
- Triggering of allergies and asthma attacks
- Rapid spread through drains and shared walls
§6Prevention
How to avoid it
- Fix leaks and reduce basement humidity
- Seal foundation cracks and gaps around pipes
- Fit plugs or screens on rarely used drains
- Store food in airtight containers
§7Pro method
How MW works
Inspection
Locating damp hotspots, drains and travel routes.
Preparation
Customized plan · clearing of the areas to treat and instructions before the visit.
Treatment
Targeted application of bait gel and residual treatment in cracks, drains and crawl spaces.
Follow-up
Control visit · monitoring traps · written guarantee offered depending on the treatment chosen.
§8Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Is the American cockroach a health hazard?
How do I know if my basement is infested?
Can I get rid of American cockroaches myself?
The American cockroach breeds year-round indoors and comes back up through the drains: a one-time treatment is never enough. Our approach combines baits, treatment of entry points and follow-up until the population is completely eliminated. Our technicians work in homes and restaurants alike in Granby, in Sherbrooke, in Longueuil and in Saint-Hyacinthe, as part of our pest control service.
Sources used for this fact sheet: Penn State Extension, American cockroaches · Health Canada, cockroaches.
React quickly, sleep well.
The longer the infestation lasts, the more expensive it becomes.