How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Kitchen
Cockroaches are one of the most common pest problems in Toronto multi-unit buildings and older homes. The German cockroach — the small brown species most common in Canadian kitchens — is particularly difficult to eradicate because it reproduces rapidly and develops resistance to common insecticides. The most effective approach combines sanitation, targeted baiting, and exclusion.
Identification First
The German cockroach (1.3–1.6 cm, light brown with two dark stripes behind the head) is the species most common in Toronto kitchens and apartments. The Oriental cockroach (larger, darker, often found in basement/drains) requires different treatment. If you are unsure, photograph and search for a Toronto pest control guide for confirmation before treating.
Gel Bait — The Most Effective Method
Cockroach gel bait (such as Advion or Maxforce, available online) is significantly more effective than sprays for German cockroaches. Apply small dots (pea-sized) in cracks and crevices where cockroaches hide — along the back of cabinet hinges, inside appliance motor compartments, under the refrigerator, behind the stove, and in wall gaps around plumbing. Cockroaches carry the bait back to the colony, killing those that never contacted the bait directly. Replace bait every 2–3 weeks. Do not spray insecticide near baits — it repels cockroaches away from the bait.
Sanitation is Essential
Gel bait works poorly if cockroaches have abundant alternative food. Clean up all food debris: wipe counters and stovetop nightly, clean under appliances, store food in sealed containers, empty garbage daily, and fix any dripping faucets. Cockroaches need moisture — fixing leaks removes an important resource.
Exclusion
Seal gaps around pipes where they enter under sinks, behind appliances, and along baseboards with silicone caulk — these are primary entry and harborage points. In apartments, cockroaches travel between units through shared walls, plumbing chases, and electrical outlets — seal outlets with foam gaskets and report infestations to building management.
Diatomaceous Earth as Supplement
Apply a thin layer of food-grade diatomaceous earth in undisturbed areas — behind the refrigerator, under the stove, inside the kickplate cavity. It is a long-term mechanical kill that works independently of bait.
Professional Cleaning in Toronto
A deep kitchen clean removes the food residue that sustains cockroach populations. Maidless Toronto offers flat-rate deep cleaning for kitchens and full homes. Book at maidless.ca.