A strong roach inspection list can stop cockroach problems. Roaches hide well, breed fast, and touch food and surfaces. You learn the spots to check, what to see, and how often to inspect. You spot early signs and act before roaches cover your kitchen, bathroom, or whole building.
Below is a clear, step-by-step guide you can use at home, in an apartment, or in a business.
Why Early Roach Inspections Matter
Roaches do more than annoy you. They can:
• Spread germs like Salmonella and E. coli
• Cause allergies and asthma, especially in children
• Touch food and surfaces with droppings and shed skins
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says cockroaches bring many indoor allergens that can worsen asthma in some people (source: EPA).
Since roaches hide by night, you may not see them until they have built a strong hideout. That is why a steady roach inspection list is key. It helps you see small signs before the mess grows.
Step 1: Know the Main Signs of a Roach Infestation
Before you check each room, learn what you need to find. A good roach inspection list starts with these signs:
1. Droppings
Roach droppings change with the roach size:
• For small roaches (like German roaches): Fine black specks like pepper or coffee grounds.
• For larger roaches (like American roaches): Dark, tube-like marks with ridges.
You may see droppings:
• Along baseboards
• In cabinet corners
• Under sinks
• Inside drawers and behind appliances
2. Egg Cases (Oothecae)
Roach egg cases are small, capsule-like spots that hold many eggs. They are:
• Brown or dark brown
• About as small as a grain of rice up to about 1/4–1/2 inch
• Found stuck on surfaces, in cracks, behind appliances, or in clutter
One egg case—either whole or hatched—shows a need to act fast.
3. Shed Skins and Body Parts
Roaches shed their skins as they grow. You may see clear or light-brown skins. You may also see legs, antennae, or bits of the body near nests or in busy spots.
4. Unpleasant Odor
A group of roaches can give off a:
• Musty, oily, or old smell
• Odor that stays in closed cabinets or pantries
If one area smells odd or bad without a clear cause, mark it for a closer check.
5. Smear Marks
When moisture is high in a room, roach droppings often form dark, uneven smears instead of small specks.
Step 2: Gather Your Tools for Inspection
A roach inspection list works best when you have the right tools:
• A flashlight or headlamp – helps you see dark corners and behind appliances
• A thin tool or credit card – good for checking tight cracks and gaps
• A notepad or phone – to note findings and locations
• Gloves and a mask – to protect you from germs and allergens
• Sticky traps – to check if roaches are still active after your visual check
Having your tools ready helps you work fast and well.
Step 3: Room-by-Room Roach Inspection List
Follow this guide room by room so you do not miss any hiding spots.
Kitchen: Top Check
Start with the kitchen. It holds food, water, and warmth.
Inspect these spots:
• Behind and under the refrigerator:
- Look for droppings, egg cases, or dead roaches.
- Check near the warm, dark compressor.
• Around the stove and oven:
- Check gaps next to the stove.
- Look below the stove and in any nearby drawer.
• Under and inside kitchen cabinets:
- Empty lower cabinets and check corners and shelf joints.
- Watch for signs under the sink where pipes may leak.
• Inside drawers and pantries:
- Look along the edges and corners.
- Check near food packages or crumbs.
• Behind small appliances:
- Move items like the microwave, toaster, and coffee maker.
- Look at cords, seams, and under the bases.
• Near plumbing and wires:
- Check gaps where pipes or wires enter walls.
- Note any cracks and holes where roaches may travel.
Bathroom: Wet Spot
Bathrooms have water and humidity. They are a common roach spot.
Inspect these spots:
• Under sinks and around pipes:
- Look for droppings, egg cases, and signs of water leaks.
• Behind toilets and along baseboards:
- Use a flashlight to check tight spots.
• Inside bathroom cabinets and drawers:
- Check corners well, especially if you store paper or creams.
• Around bathtubs and showers:
- Look at the edges of caulk, gaps in tile, and any access panels.
Living Room, Bedrooms, and Common Areas
Roaches may also reach these rooms when their hideout grows.
Inspect these spots:
• Along baseboards and in corners:
- Look for droppings or shed skins on the walls.
• Behind and under furniture:
- Check under couches, beds, and dressers.
- Look at the joints and seams of your furniture.
• Near electronics and entertainment places:
- Roaches like the warmth of TVs, routers, and consoles.
- Check near power strips and cable clusters.
• In closets and storage areas:
- Look in boxes, bags, and on piles of clothing or paper.
Laundry and Utility Rooms
Inspect these spots:
• Behind and under the washer and dryer:
- Look for droppings and damp spots.
• Near water heaters and utility sinks:
- Watch nearby pipes, cracks in the floor or walls, and floor drains.
Basements, Garages, and Storage Rooms
Large roach types, like American or Oriental roaches, may start in these areas.
Inspect these spots:
• Around floor drains, sump pumps, and utility lines
• Behind stored items, boxes, and shelves
• Cracks in walls, floors, or the building base
• Near door thresholds and weather strips
Step 4: Find Entry Points and Hiding Spots
A good roach inspection list also shows how roaches get in and where they hide.
Keep your eyes on these spots:
• Gaps under exterior doors
• Cracks near window frames
• Open spots where pipes or wires enter the building
• Gaps near baseboards and trim
• Loose or missing door sweeps and weather strips
Note each spot so you can fix them with caulk, foam, or new door sweeps.
Step 5: Set Sticky Traps to Confirm Activity
Sometimes small or early finds escape your eyes. Sticky traps can fill that gap.
How to set traps well:
-
Place traps in high-risk spots:
- Behind the refrigerator and stove
- Under kitchen and bathroom sinks
- Near garbage cans
- Next to any suspected door or window gap
-
Put traps along walls and in corners:
Roaches tend to move along edges. -
Set more than a few traps:
In a normal home, start with 8–12 traps in key areas. -
Check traps each week:
Note how many roaches you catch and where. This shows the roach spots.
Sticky traps help you see the roach count and check if your work is paying off.
Step 6: Check the Situation and Choose Next Moves
After your check, use your notes to decide the problem level:
• Light activity:
- Only a few droppings or one or two roaches on traps
- Signs in one area (for example, under the kitchen sink)
→ You might fix this with a home spray, better cleaning, and sealing gaps.
• Moderate activity:
- Many droppings, egg cases, or shed skins in a few spots
- Roaches on many traps in different rooms
→ Mix a careful clean, sealing of gaps, and roach baits or gels.
• Heavy infestation:
- Strong smell, many droppings, and roaches seen in the day
- Roaches appear in many rooms or on walls and ceilings
→ You should call a licensed pest control expert for a full treatment plan.
Step 7: Add Prevention to Your Roach Inspection List
Prevention and inspecting go side by side. Once you have checked your space, cut down the things that call roaches:
• Remove food sources:
- Store food in sealed bins.
- Wipe up crumbs and spills right away.
- Do not leave dirty dishes overnight.
- Use a lid on your trash can and empty it often.
• Cut water and dampness:
- Fix leaks under sinks and near appliances.
- Use a fan or dehumidifier in wet rooms.
- Do not let pet bowls hold water overnight; refresh each day.
• Declutter:
- Toss old cardboard, paper, and plastic bags.
- Place storage in sealed bins.
• Seal gaps:
- Caulk cracks and gaps.
- Add door sweeps.
- Fix torn window screens.
How Often Should You Use This Roach Inspection List?
The time you check depends on your area:
• Apartments or busy areas:
- Check each month. Roaches move from nearby units.
• Single-family homes:
- Check every 1–3 months, and more if you have seen roaches before.
• Restaurants or food places:
- Do a quick check each day.
- Do a full check every week.
- Keep sticky traps running to see roach paths.
Doing this checklist often stops small problems from growing into big ones.
Quick Reference: Roach Inspection Checklist Summary
Keep this short list for your check:
• In the kitchen: Check under/behind the fridge and stove, inside and below cabinets, the pantry, and small appliances.
• In the bathroom: Check under sinks, behind toilets, and near tubs and showers.
• In living areas: Check baseboards, behind furniture, near electronics, and in closets.
• In utility areas: Check the laundry room, near water heaters, floor drains, and pipe holes.
• In basements/garages: Look for cracks, gaps, and clutter near the walls or door gaps.
• Look for signs: Droppings, egg cases, shed skins, dead or live roaches, smear marks, and smells.
• Note spots where roaches can enter or hide, like cracks and gaps.
• Place sticky traps in key areas and check them often.
• Record your finds and check again often.
FAQ: Roach Inspection and Detection
1. What goes on a basic roach inspection list for homeowners?
A basic roach list has:
• A check of kitchens and bathrooms, especially under sinks and behind appliances
• A look for droppings, egg cases, and shed skins
• A scan of baseboards, closets, and utility spots
• A plan to set sticky traps in high-risk spots and check them each week
These steps help you catch roaches early.
2. How can I tell if my check shows a small or large problem?
Look at the checklist:
• Small find: A few droppings or one to two roaches on traps in one area
• Moderate find: Signs in several nearby spots and several trapped roaches
• Large find: A strong smell, roaches seen in daylight, and activity in many rooms
More signs and wider spread show a larger problem.
3. How often should I use a roach inspection list in an apartment?
In multi-unit homes, run your roach list once each month. Roaches can move through walls and pipes. Regular checks and sticky traps can show signs from neighbors before your space gets bad.
Using this roach inspection list can give you a clear way to spot roaches early, take quick action, and keep your home or business clean and safe.
