Cockroaches

There are three commonly encountered species of cockroaches in Alameda County: the German cockroach, the Oriental cockroach, and the American cockroach. Cockroaches are of public health concern in homes and buildings because they can trigger allergic reactions, aggravate asthma, and spread disease by coming into contact with food, cookware, and surfaces. They are not usually the cause of diseases, but like house flies they may play a secondary role of transmitting diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever and other diseases.

Cockroaches are scavengers, and will feed on almost any type of vegetable or animal matter, fresh or spoiled. They are usually active at night and prefer to live in warm and damp areas such as sewers, water meters boxes, bathrooms, kitchens, and crawl spaces. Of the three cockroaches, the German cockroach is the greatest concern, because it is the species most commonly found in homes and food establishments. Populations of German cockroaches can quickly grow in a building when adequate food and water are present.

Effective cockroach control requires an integrated approach that includes sanitation, elimination of food and water sources, and the use of baits, traps, or insecticides. If you make a request for service with our District, our Vector Control Biologist will schedule an appointment to inspect your property, identify the cockroach species, and provide advice on the best integrated pest management strategy to get you on your way to a cockroach free environment.