Cockroaches are one of the toughest pests in the world, they resist many pesticides, breed quickly and can even survive for several days after their head is decapitated. If you suspect a cockroach infestation has taken hold in your property, you should act quickly and don’t delay.

These pests also harbour serious diseases and germs that can affect humans and pets, they also frequent some of the dirtiest places and may transfer viruses, tapeworms, roundworms and fungus.

But how much does it cost to get rid of cockroaches? How many treatments are needed and how long does the process take?

On this page you’ll find:

• Our updated 2022 price guide.
• Price guides for commercial properties.
• Repeat visit costs.
• What the pest control expert will do at the property.
• How long it takes to see results.
• How to stop cockroaches from coming back.
• DIY options

Cockroach Treatment Prices

The table below displays prices based on the size of the property or premises:

What you need to know about these prices:

• We contacted 15 pest control experts from various locations around the UK and calculated an average price for cockroach treatment.
• The figures shown are averages and prices in London and the south will likely cost more while businesses in the north may charge less.
• The prices include VAT where charged.
• They include two visits.

What to Expect When the Pest Control Expert Visits Your Home

For most domestic cockroach infestations, the operator won’t need to carry out a detailed survey of the property but will look for obvious hiding places and routes that the cockroaches take.

They will then lay down bait gel along crevices and near holes etc at key points in your property.

The bait gel doesn’t kill the cockroaches instantly, there is a slight delay which allows the pest enough time to go back to the nest where the pesticide will infect the other cockroaches. These roaches will then in turn infect more of the nest and so forth.

Experts generally don’t rely on sprays that leave a residual pesticide on the surface as the cockroaches will detect it and just migrate to a new area. Surface sprays might kill a small number of cockroaches but it won’t be enough to wipe out a nest.

Most of the firms we contacted stated they would return for a second visit to assess the results and reapply the bait gel and that the second visit is usually completed in less time than the first. They may set traps during the second visit, depending on the results of the first treatment.

Commercial premises are treated in a similar manner but as food is often prepared at scale and hygiene is a legal requirement, the pest control operator may first conduct a detailed survey and also lay down extra traps. The pest control firm can also provide a written report detailing the status of the treatment and any success etc – this may satisfy HSE that the proprietor has taken the necessary steps to resolve the infestation.

Cockroach Traps

Cockroach traps are thin pads with strong glue on the surface, they are placed near holes and crevices that the pests use and once the cockroach walks over the pad, it becomes stuck and can’t escape.

These traps are not used to eradicate the cockroaches but to evaluate if they are present in this area and how many of them there are.

Cockroach traps can be put down at any time:

• Before treatment as part of a survey to gauge how bad the infestation is.
• Between treatments to assess the progress.
• After the treatments to see if the pests return.

Timescales and Effectiveness

A single treatment with gel will normally kill at least 80% of the cockroaches within a week. A few hangers-on that didn’t come into contact with the pesticide may remain for longer and some eggs will hatch, although many of these will die off before they mature.

The second treatment is usually enough to finish off any that remains after 10 days and your property should be completely free of these pests within 2-3 weeks.

A third treatment should only be required if the infestation is severe.

The gel pesticide may cause the cockroaches to come out into the open before they die, so you may see more of them than usual. This is normal and is a sign that the treatment is working.

How to Stop Cockroaches Coming Back

If you’re worried about these pests returning then in the short term, you can lay down bait traps and monitor them to see if any cockroaches get stuck.

In the long term, there are several best practices to follow:

Give The House a Good Clean

Cockroaches thrive on crumbs, grease, cooking oil, pet food and food waste in general.

The best way to prevent cockroaches from returning is to have a deep clean, including into all the gaps, holes and crevices with specialist attention to voids under cabinets and anywhere food is prepared, cooked or stored.

Also, ensure any leaks or damp problems are fixed as cockroaches require moisture and won’t thrive in a dry environment.

Look Again at Food Storage

Owners of commercial premises and those storing lots of food at home should double-check that their food is stored as hygienically as it could be. Sealed containers can stop pests from accessing the food and are a good option for those that have experienced cockroach infestations in the past.

Paper and Cardboard

Cockroaches use paper and cardboard to hide under, as a source of food and if it’s wet, as a source of water. Wet, decaying cardboard and paper is the worst offender and if it’s mixed with food waste, will be a magnet for cockroaches.

Tidy Up The Bin Area

A wet, messy bin containing rotting waste will attract cockroaches, so have a tidy up of the bin areas inside and outside the property and thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the bins as these pests thrive on oily, degrading waste products from food and cooking.

DIY Options

If you want to try the DIY route, don’t waste your time with aerosol sprays, foggers or any product that leaves a thin film of pesticide over a large area, these products are rarely effective against cockroaches. Many of these products are marketed towards several different pests and consumers have left good reviews online after treating flies and silverfish but dig further into these online ratings and you’ll find few that recommend it for treating cockroaches.

The best products are those that contain a gel which attracts the cockroaches who consume it and bring it back to the nest.

Unfortunately, most of the products online are sold in small quantities so for large infestations, you may wish to use the services of a professional expert instead.

Natural Alternatives

While there are several natural products that will kill cockroaches, none of them will be effective against a nest but they can be used to stop the pests from entering a specific area (i.e as a deterrence rather than a cure).

Consider:

• Coffee grounds won’t kill cockroaches but will deter them as they hate it.
• Crushed garlic cloves will deter roaches but won’t kill them.
• Lemon juice as a natural barrier.
• Diatomaceous earth as a mild insecticide.
• Baking soda and sugar – the soda creates a gas that causes the cockroaches to explode.

Do bear in mind that many of these natural treatments may cause the cockroaches to migrate, they may not move away from your property and could end up anywhere.

Get a Price Online

Tap the button below and fill in the form with your postcode and details of your cockroach problem.

You’ll receive prices from local pest control experts who can get rid of the infestation for you.

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This guide to cockroach treatment prices and suggestions was written by Danny Woodley and was last updated in May 2022.

Don’t forget; we have price guides for hundreds of home improvement and maintenance projects.

Prices for the treatment of other common household pests can be found here.