Cockroach Control in Ho Chi Minh City: How We Treat Homes, Restaurants and Factories
Quick answer. We control cockroaches with two methods used together. A residual spray goes along wall bases, drains, cracks and the dark damp places cockroaches walk through; they pick it up on their bodies, die slowly and carry it back to where they hide. Gel bait goes into cracks, hinges and kitchen fittings where spray does not reach. Visits are monthly. German cockroaches, the small ones that breed inside kitchens, are part of our monthly general pest control package, not an extra service. We do not promise a building with no cockroaches at all; the aim is to keep numbers low and catch new ones early.
The two kinds you will see
- Large brown cockroaches (about 3–4 cm) live in drains, sewers and manholes and come up at night through floor drains, gaps around pipes and open doors. You mostly see them on the ground floor, in bathrooms and near refuse areas.
- Small light-brown cockroaches (about 1.5 cm, two dark stripes behind the head) live and breed inside the building, in kitchens, behind fridges and dishwashers, inside cupboard hinges and electrical fittings. They multiply fast and are the harder problem for restaurants and apartments.
Signs: droppings like ground pepper in drawers and hinges, egg cases in corners, a musty smell in heavy cases, and cockroaches running when the light goes on.
Why the two need different treatment is covered in our comparison of German and American cockroaches.
How we treat
- Survey: kitchens, bathrooms, drains, refuse areas, store rooms and the gaps between them; where the cockroaches come from and where they hide.
- Residual spray: along wall bases, floor drains, manholes, cracks, under sinks and around refuse areas. Cockroaches walking across the treated surface pick it up and carry it back to the harbourage.
- Gel bait: small spots in hinges, behind appliances, inside cupboard frames and electrical fittings, where spray should not go or does not reach. Bait and spray work together: one covers the routes, the other the hiding places.
- Advice list: what to close or clean, such as drain covers, pipe gaps, grease build-up and cardboard storage.
We do not use insecticide dust for cockroaches, and we do not fumigate.
Why monthly
A cockroach egg case holds many young and hatches over several weeks, and new cockroaches keep coming in with deliveries and from drains. One visit reduces what is there that day; a monthly programme keeps the numbers low. Our monthly general package covers cockroaches, ants and other crawling insects, and German cockroaches are included.
For restaurants, hotels and factories
Kitchens and food areas are treated at a time you set, usually after closing. Each visit is recorded, and businesses receive a service report and a record of the areas treated, which you can show to auditors and inspectors.
What you can do between visits
- Clean grease and food off floors, under equipment and behind cookers every night.
- Keep floor drains covered and flush them with hot water.
- Do not keep cardboard boxes in the kitchen; cockroaches hide and lay eggs in them.
- Tell us about sightings between visits so we can check that area first next time.
For apartments, our article on keeping cockroaches out of a Ho Chi Minh City apartment covers what residents can do themselves.
Common questions
Why do I see more cockroaches right after treatment?
The residual spray drives some of them out of hiding before they die. This usually settles within a week or two.
Is the spray safe around food?
Food, dishes and utensils are covered or put away before we treat, and we tell you when the kitchen can be used again.
How much does it cost?
Monthly packages are priced by floor area. Starting prices are on the price list.
