Start with water
Cockroaches can survive on very small food residues, but water often determines where they settle. Dry the sink at night, report dripping pipes and check for condensation beneath the sink or behind the refrigerator.
Bathroom leaks, loose toilet seals and damp utility closets can support activity away from the kitchen. Note where you see insects rather than assuming one room is the source.
Make food harder to reach
A spotless-looking counter can sit above crumbs, grease and spills inside cabinet joints. Pull out only what can be moved safely and clean the edges where debris collects.
- Store pantry goods and pet food in sealed containers.
- Clean grease from the sides and floor beneath cooking appliances.
- Rinse recyclables and use a trash can with a fitted lid.
- Avoid leaving pet food out overnight when your pet’s routine allows.
Reduce hiding places
Flatten and remove spare cardboard, organize the cabinet beneath the sink and avoid dense stacks of bags. Fewer protected spaces make inspection and monitoring easier.
Seal cracks and pipe gaps with materials appropriate for the surface, especially where lines pass between units. Ask the building to handle openings connected to shared chases, walls or service spaces.
Use monitoring to guide the work
Sticky monitors placed in safe, discreet locations can help show whether activity is concentrated behind an appliance, beneath a sink or near a doorway. Date each monitor and keep a simple count by location.
Monitoring is more useful than spraying every visible insect. NYC Health recommends integrated pest management, which addresses building conditions and uses targeted control based on evidence.
Bring the building into the plan
Cockroaches can move through wall voids, plumbing runs and shared hallways. Report recurring activity early and include dates, photos and monitor locations. A treatment limited to one unit may struggle when the source sits next door or in a shared service area.
Avoid pesticide foggers or unregistered products. If a professional treatment is needed, follow the preparation sheet closely and ask what residents, maintenance staff and the technician each need to do.