Cockroach Extermination Services in Northeast Ohio
Cockroaches: Identification, Risks & Professional Treatment
Cockroaches are one of the most unwelcome pests in homes and businesses. Known for their resilience, rapid reproduction, and ability to spread disease, cockroaches are more than just a nuisance, they’re a serious health concern. In Northeast Ohio, several species of roaches can infest homes, restaurants, and commercial spaces.
At DHS Pest Control, we use proven methods tailored to Ohio’s climate and cockroach species to eliminate infestations at the source. Below, learn how to identify roaches, understand the risks, and see how professional treatment ensures long-term control.
Quick Facts About Cockroaches
- Common species in Ohio: German cockroach, American cockroach, Oriental cockroach, Brown-banded cockroach.
- Size: ½” to over 2″ depending on species.
- Color: Light brown to dark reddish-brown or nearly black.
- Reproduction: German cockroaches can produce thousands of offspring per year.
- Activity: Nocturnal — hide during the day, active at night.
How to Identify a Cockroach Infestation
Look for these signs:
- Live sightings: Especially at night in kitchens, bathrooms, or basements.
- Egg cases (oothecae): Brown, capsule-shaped cases often hidden behind appliances, inside cabinets, or in cracks.
- Droppings: Fine, black pepper-like specks or small smears on counters, shelves, or near baseboards.
- Musty odor: Strong, unpleasant smell in severe infestations.
- Shed skins: Roaches molt multiple times before adulthood, leaving behind cast skins.
Why Roaches Are a Serious Problem
- Health risks: Spread bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and can trigger asthma and allergies, especially in children.
- Rapid reproduction: A single female German cockroach can produce 300–400 offspring in one year.
- Difficult to eliminate: Roaches hide in cracks, crevices, drains, and behind appliances, making DIY control ineffective.
- Adaptability: They can survive on crumbs, grease, glue, cardboard, and even soap residue.
Common Cockroach Species in Northeast Ohio
- German cockroach: Small (½”), tan with two dark stripes; thrives indoors, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
- American cockroach: Large (up to 2″), reddish-brown; often found in basements, drains, and commercial buildings.
- Oriental cockroach: Dark brown/black, about 1″ long; prefers cool, damp areas like basements, crawlspaces, and sewers.
- Brown-banded cockroach: Smaller, with light brown bands across wings; often found in warm, high locations like cabinets and electronics.
Where Roaches Hide
- Behind or under refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers
- Inside cabinets, drawers, and pantries
- In cracks and crevices of walls, baseboards, and flooring
- Around plumbing, drains, and utility lines
- In basements, crawlspaces, and wall voids
DHS Pest Control’s Cockroach Inspection Process
- Interview & History Review — discuss where roaches have been seen and how long activity has been present.
- Interior Inspection — check kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and wall voids.
- Exterior Check — assess entry points, drains, and moisture conditions.
- Species Identification — determine the roach species to tailor treatment.
- Customized Treatment Plan — recommend the most effective and safest strategy.
Professional Cockroach Treatment Methods
At DHS Pest Control, we follow an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach combining sanitation, exclusion, and safe targeted treatments:
- Gel baits: Placed in cracks and crevices where roaches hide, carried back to the colony.
- Residual sprays/dusts: Applied in wall voids, baseboards, and other key areas.
- Insect growth regulators (IGRs): Disrupt reproduction cycles to prevent future infestations.
- Sanitation guidance: We’ll help you eliminate food, grease, and moisture sources.
- Exclusion: Sealing cracks, gaps, and utility line openings.
Our treatments target both visible roaches and hidden populations for complete elimination.
DIY Tips — What You Can Do Before We Arrive
- Keep counters, floors, and sinks clean of crumbs and spills.
- Empty trash daily and keep bins tightly sealed.
- Store food in sealed containers.
- Fix leaks under sinks and around appliances.
- Vacuum regularly, especially around baseboards and furniture.
- Avoid over-the-counter sprays that scatter roaches and make them harder to control.
How Long Does Treatment Take & What to Expect
- Initial inspection: 30–60 minutes depending on property size.
- Treatment time: 1–3 hours typically.
- Follow-up visits: Usually required, especially for German cockroach infestations; we schedule visits every 2–3 weeks until population is eliminated.
You may still see some roaches after treatment as baited insects emerge from hiding before dying — this is a normal part of the process.
Health & Safety Considerations
DHS Pest Control uses EPA-approved products, applied by licensed technicians. We also offer low-toxicity options suitable for homes with children, pets, or sensitive individuals. Our technicians provide clear instructions before and after service to ensure safety.
Long-Term Cockroach Prevention Strategies
- Seal cracks and crevices around plumbing, walls, and baseboards.
- Reduce clutter such as cardboard boxes and paper stacks.
- Maintain strict sanitation in kitchens and storage areas.
- Regularly inspect incoming grocery bags and boxes.
- Schedule professional inspections annually or semi-annually for high-risk environments like restaurants and multi-family housing.
Why Choose DHS Pest Control?
- Local expertise: Serving Northeast Ohio homes and businesses for over 10 years.
- Experienced technicians: Trained to handle all major cockroach species.
- Custom treatment plans: Solutions tailored to your infestation, property type, and needs.
- Safe, effective methods: Family- and pet-conscious options available.
- Satisfaction guarantee: Follow-up services and warranties available.
Service Areas
We proudly serve Northeast Ohio, including Cleveland, Strongsville, Canton, Akron, Massillon, Wooster, Millersburg, Mansfield, Ashland, Loudonville, Youngstown, Medina, Hudson, and surrounding communities. If your town isn’t listed, call us — we likely service your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are cockroaches dangerous to people?
A: Yes. Roaches carry bacteria that can contaminate food, surfaces, and utensils. Their droppings and shed skins can trigger asthma and allergies.
Q: Can I get rid of roaches myself?
A: Store-bought sprays and traps rarely eliminate infestations. Professional baiting and targeted treatments are typically required for lasting results.
Q: How quickly can DHS Pest Control respond?
A: We offer flexible scheduling and emergency services for severe infestations.
Q: How much does treatment cost?
A: Cost depends on infestation size, species, and property type. We provide free or low-cost inspections with upfront estimates.
Contact Us Today!
Stop roaches before they spread further. Contact DHS Pest Control for fast, professional extermination services.
- Phone: 330-201-4977
DHS completed a VA refinance pest inspection for us and they were able to schedule us quickly, were efficient, respectful and knowledgeable. I will be recommending them to our friends and family. Excellent service.
Response from the owner 19:04 03 Oct 25
Hey Elizabeth! We're really happy to hear about your experience with our pest inspection service. It’s wonderful knowing everything went smoothly, and we appreciate your recommendation!
DHS Pest Control is absolutely outstanding! From the moment I called, their team was professional, responsive, and genuinely cared about solving my problem. The technician arrived right on time, explained everything in detail, and made sure I felt comfortable with the process. Their knowledge and attention to detail gave me complete confidence, and the results speak for themselves.
What really stood out was the level of customer service. Everyone I interacted with was friendly, respectful, and went above and beyond to make the entire experience stress-free. It’s rare to find a company that combines expertise, reliability, and such a personal touch, but DHS does it all.
If you’re looking for a trustworthy, effective, and locally dedicated pest control company in Wooster, I can’t recommend DHS Pest Control enough! They’ve earned a customer for life.
What really stood out was the level of customer service. Everyone I interacted with was friendly, respectful, and went above and beyond to make the entire experience stress-free. It’s rare to find a company that combines expertise, reliability, and such a personal touch, but DHS does it all.
If you’re looking for a trustworthy, effective, and locally dedicated pest control company in Wooster, I can’t recommend DHS Pest Control enough! They’ve earned a customer for life.
They took care of my bee problem and were very quick about it! Much appreciated!
Response from the owner 14:10 13 Aug 25
Thank you for the nice review. Please let us know if we can assist you in future pest issues!
We called with a bald-faced hornet and yellow jacket problem and they came out same day and took care of everything for us. Super professional, great customer service, very reasonable pricing.
I hope to not be a repeat customer but if I ever find myself needing pest control again, they are the first ones I will call.
I hope to not be a repeat customer but if I ever find myself needing pest control again, they are the first ones I will call.
Response from the owner 21:34 18 Aug 25
Hey Mike! Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad we could help resolve the issue quickly and that you were pleased with our service and pricing. Hopefully you won’t need pest control again anytime soon, but if you do, we’ll be ready to help right away.
Very happy with the service from DHS Pest Control. Trent and Lonnie were very thorough about making sure our yellow jacket problem was taken care of. The pricing was affordable and I was not charged for the follow up. I will definitely be using DHS Pest Control for any future needs!
Response from the owner 01:35 02 Aug 25
Thank you so much for the nice review Kimberly!
Very professional and friendly.we had such a bed bug problem we didn't think it could be solved.trent and his crew,who are a family business come in and got it taken care of faster and better than we could have ever hoped.i can't imagine anyone better
Response from the owner 18:16 07 Jul 25
Hi Eric! We're so glad to hear our team could tackle your bed bug issue quickly and effectively. We take pride in delivering dependable service, and it means a lot to know we made a difference for you.
I would like to give a huge shout out to Trent from DHS Pest Control. I was faced with a Carpenter Ant problem that caused significant damage to my sunroom. I called Trent at 12:55pm about my issue. He was on a job an hour away. He said he could be at my house when he was finished his current job. He arrived at my home in a timely fashion. He was polite, professional, and understanding of my situation. He did a thorough inspection of the inside, outside and basement of my home. Then he got to work treating the property. His price was extremely reasonable. If after 30 days I see any Carpenter Ants he will come back and treat the property for no charge. Where can you get a better deal than that? I highly recommend Trent Koller and his company.
Response from the owner 16:35 16 Jun 25
Hey Lee Ann! I'm really glad to hear that you had such a positive experience with me handling your Carpenter Ant issue. It's great knowing that the service and pricing left you satisfied, and I'm here if you need any further assistance in the future.
Trent and his Nephew did a Great job! Very informative and professional! Explained everything well and worked diligently! Was very happy with service!!!!😁
Response from the owner 16:23 27 May 25
Hi Barbara! I’m thrilled to hear you were happy with how everything went. We always aim to be informative and professional, so it's great to know it made a difference.
I highly highly recommend Trent. He is very professional and diligent. No stone left unturned! He's also great to work with.
Response from the owner 16:46 19 May 25
Thank you so much for the kind words and recommendation! I truly appreciate your support and am glad I could provide the level of service you were looking for. It was a pleasure working with you!
Very polite and professional. Did a great job. Highly recommended.
Response from the owner 20:28 15 May 25
Thank you Joan🙂