Glendale is a dry place, yet cockroaches do well here because they follow water. Sewer lines, irrigated lawns, shaded block walls and the cooled air inside homes give them what the desert outside cannot. Residents tend to see large American roaches in garages, tiny German roaches in kitchens, and in many valley neighborhoods, Turkestan roaches around yards and walls.
Roaches you may find
- American cockroaches are big, reddish-brown insects that live in sewers, drains, meter boxes and block-wall voids, and enter the house in search of moisture.
- Turkestan cockroaches are an introduced desert species common in the Southwest. Males are tan, females dark brown, and they gather around irrigated yards, rock beds and trash areas.
- German cockroaches are small, fast indoor pests that live in kitchens and bathrooms, especially in apartments and restaurants.
Why Glendale conditions invite them
The city's sewer system and the network of underground utility boxes provide roach highways. Hollow block fences, rock landscaping and pavers keep humidity in cool pockets, even when the ground above is baking. Homes with swimming pools and drip irrigation add steady moisture. During monsoon storms, roaches flee flooded drains and enter garages, patios and kitchens. Apartment complexes near Glendale Avenue and 59th Avenue, like other multifamily buildings across the valley, can see German roaches spread through shared walls.
Signs of infestation
- Large roaches coming up from sinks, floor drains or garage corners.
- Small roaches scattering when you open cabinets at night.
- Brown droppings, like coffee grounds, near hinges, drawers and edges of appliances.
- Egg cases stuck in dark corners or behind refrigerators.
- A faint oily smell from heavy infestations.
Professional approach
Technicians identify the species first. For German roaches, they use gel baits, growth regulators and crack-and-crevice treatments. For American and Turkestan roaches, treatment centers on the yard and the building perimeter: treating block wall bases, rock beds, trash enclosures, meter boxes and garage thresholds. They may also advise on door sweeps and sealing around pipes. A single visit can reduce outdoor roaches, but indoor German infestations usually require follow-up and cooperation from neighbors in shared buildings.
What you can do
- Wipe kitchen counters and floors, and avoid leaving dishes out overnight.
- Store dry goods and pet food in airtight containers.
- Repair leaks, and make sure sinks and tubs are dry at night.
- Keep garage and storage areas free of cardboard piles.
- Cover or screen weep holes, drains and vent openings.
- Keep irrigation off walls and from pooling near the slab.
Making contact
Call (844) 725-1661 to describe the roaches you are seeing. PestMinistry is a referral service. We do not treat homes ourselves; we connect Glendale residents with independent licensed providers who carry out the work.
Restaurants and rental units
Glendale food businesses and landlords have an interest in fast response. Residents of a rental should send a written notice to the landlord and cooperate with building-wide treatments, since roaches move between units.
Cockroach FAQ
Why am I seeing roaches during a drought?
Roaches go where water is. Irrigation, pools and plumbing supply it regardless of rainfall.
Can roaches bring in scorpions?
Scorpions feed on insects including roaches, so a roach problem can attract them.
Do bait stations work outdoors?
They can help for some species, but placement and weather matter. A provider will choose the right products.
Are Turkestan roaches harmful?
They mainly cause nuisance and can contaminate food areas, so control is worthwhile.