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Cockroaches & Water Bugs in New Jersey: Your Questions Answered
These are real questions New Jersey residents ask about cockroaches and water bugs, answered by our roach team.
- German cockroaches live in kitchens and bathrooms and spread fast
- Large “water bugs” usually come from drains, sewers and basements
- Most German roach jobs need a follow-up visit
- In apartments, treating neighboring units works best
What causes water bugs and how do I get rid of them?
Water bugs are drawn in by moisture — floor drains, leaky pipes, damp basements and sewer lines. Fix leaks, keep drains covered or flushed, seal gaps around pipes, and have the areas where they enter treated. See how to get rid of water bugs and water bug vs. cockroach.
How do I get rid of cockroaches in my house?
Use gel bait and growth regulators where roaches hide, not just spray, and remove food, grease and water sources. Sprays scatter roaches; baits get carried back and kill the colony. See gel bait vs. spray.
Why do roaches keep coming back?
Usually because eggs survived, neighbors still have them, or food and moisture are still available. German roach egg cases hold dozens of eggs, which is why a follow-up visit matters. See why roaches keep coming back.
How do I get rid of cockroaches in a New Jersey apartment?
Treat your unit and, ideally, the units next to and above and below you at the same time. Roaches travel through pipes and walls, so treating one apartment alone often doesn’t last.
Can I have roaches in a clean house?
Yes. Roaches can come in with grocery boxes, used appliances or from a neighbor, even in a very clean home. See roaches in a clean house.
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Where we work
More help on this topic
- Roaches
- German cockroach control
- American cockroach control
- How to get rid of water bugs
- Water bug vs. cockroach
- Why roaches keep coming back
- Roaches in kitchen cabinets
- Gel bait vs. spray
- Commercial cockroach control
Towns we serve within 10 miles of Garfield
- Garfield, NJ
- Lodi, NJ
- Elmwood Park, NJ
- Saddle Brook, NJ
- Wallington, NJ
- Clifton, NJ
- Passaic, NJ
- Hackensack, NJ
- Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
- Wood-Ridge, NJ
- Rochelle Park, NJ
- Paramus, NJ
- Maywood, NJ
- Fair Lawn, NJ
- Paterson, NJ
- Totowa, NJ
- Little Ferry, NJ
- Moonachie, NJ
- Carlstadt, NJ
- East Rutherford, NJ
- Rutherford, NJ
- Lyndhurst, NJ
- Teaneck, NJ
- Bogota, NJ
- River Edge, NJ
- Nutley, NJ
- Belleville, NJ
- Glen Rock, NJ
- Hawthorne, NJ
- Ridgefield Park, NJ
- Woodland Park, NJ
- Little Falls, NJ
- Ridgewood, NJ
- Oradell, NJ
- Bergenfield, NJ
- Englewood, NJ
- Leonia, NJ
- Secaucus, NJ
- North Arlington, NJ
- Kearny, NJ
- Bloomfield, NJ
- Haledon, NJ
- Prospect Park, NJ
- Wayne, NJ
Also serving within 20 miles
- Fort Lee, NJ
- Edgewater, NJ
- Cliffside Park, NJ
- Fairview, NJ
- Ridgefield, NJ
- Palisades Park, NJ
- Englewood Cliffs, NJ
- Tenafly, NJ
- Cresskill, NJ
- Demarest, NJ
- Closter, NJ
- Alpine, NJ
- Norwood, NJ
- Northvale, NJ
- Harrington Park, NJ
- Old Tappan, NJ
- River Vale, NJ
- Haworth, NJ
- Dumont, NJ
- New Milford, NJ
- Emerson, NJ
- Westwood, NJ
- Washington Township, NJ
- Hillsdale, NJ
- Woodcliff Lake, NJ
- Park Ridge, NJ
- Montvale, NJ
- Upper Saddle River, NJ
- Saddle River, NJ
- Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
- Waldwick, NJ
- Allendale, NJ
- Ramsey, NJ
- Mahwah, NJ
- Midland Park, NJ
- Wyckoff, NJ
- Franklin Lakes, NJ
- Oakland, NJ
- North Haledon, NJ
- Pompton Lakes, NJ
- Wanaque, NJ
- Bloomingdale, NJ
- Riverdale, NJ
- Butler, NJ
- Kinnelon, NJ
- Lincoln Park, NJ
- Pequannock, NJ
- Montville, NJ
- Boonton, NJ
- Parsippany, NJ
- East Hanover, NJ
- North Bergen, NJ
- Guttenberg, NJ
- Weehawken, NJ
- Harrison, NJ
- East Newark, NJ
- Newark, NJ
- Glen Ridge, NJ
- Montclair, NJ
- Verona, NJ
- Cedar Grove, NJ
- North Caldwell, NJ
- Caldwell, NJ
- West Caldwell, NJ
- Essex Fells, NJ
- Roseland, NJ
- Fairfield, NJ
- Livingston, NJ
- South Orange, NJ
- Maplewood, NJ
- Orange, NJ
Other questions we answer
- Pest control in New Jersey
- Mice and rats
- Bed bugs
- Wasps, hornets and yellow jackets
- Termites
- Wildlife: raccoons, squirrels, bats, birds
- Spiders, fleas, ticks and flies
- Borax, boric acid and DIY pest control
Questions answered
Do cockroaches bite?
Rarely. They are mainly a health problem because they spread bacteria and trigger allergies. See do cockroaches bite.
Does boric acid work on roaches?
It can help with a small problem but won’t clear a large German roach infestation alone. See boric acid for roaches.
How should I prepare for roach treatment?
Empty kitchen and bathroom cabinets, store food in sealed containers and clean grease. See our preparation sheets.
How much does a cockroach exterminator cost?
It depends on the type of roach, the size of the home and how many visits are needed. See cockroach exterminator cost.
Schedule today
Call 973-510-2585, text us or request a free quote online. Silver Bullet Pest Control serves homes and businesses across North Jersey.
Updated October 2026. Written by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team — licensed and insured New Jersey pest control based in Garfield, NJ.