Cockroach Control in Southern Maryland & Northern Virginia
Find out which roach it is before anything gets treated.
Free & no obligation · By appointment · Southern MD & Northern VA
Why it keeps happening
A roach in the kitchen at night. One big one in the garage. Small ones in the cabinet under the sink. These are different problems, and which roach you have decides what works. We start with an inspection to find out what you have, where it's living and how it's getting in.
The real question
How do you get rid of cockroaches?
It starts with knowing the species and where it lives. Large roaches like the American and smokybrown often come in from outside. Smaller ones, like German and brown-banded roaches, live indoors in kitchens, bathrooms and other warm, hidden spots. After the inspection we explain what we recommend for your home, including whether the work is outside, inside or both.
Not sure what you’re seeing? An inspection tells you exactly what’s going on.
Roaches we see in Southern Maryland and Northern Virginia
These are the ones homeowners here ask about most:
- American cockroach: the largest, about an inch and a half long, red-brown with a pale band behind the head. Often found in basements and around drains.
- Smokybrown cockroach (also spelled smoky brown): dark, shiny brown and about the same size, and it can fly. Usually an outdoor roach that comes in from outside, drawn to light.
- Oriental cockroach: dark brown to black, about an inch long and slow-moving. Likes cool, damp places such as garages and basements.
- German cockroach: smaller, and lives indoors in kitchens and bathrooms. It spreads by hitching rides in bags and boxes and through plumbing in apartments.
- Brown-banded cockroach: small, with two light bands across the body. Hides egg cases in dark places such as behind appliances, under sinks and in walls.
Our articles cover each one in more detail: American, smokybrown, oriental, German and brown-banded.
Why roaches keep coming back
Roaches need food, water and somewhere dark to hide. If any of those is easy to find, they stay. Killing the ones you can see doesn't change that.
- Leaking pipes, damp cabinets and standing water
- Crumbs, grease, open food and pet bowls left out overnight
- Gaps around doors, pipes and utility lines
- Cardboard boxes, stacks of newspaper and clutter
- Bags and boxes carried in from outside or from another unit
Store-bought sprays and traps can help a little, but on their own they often aren't enough.
How we approach cockroaches
Our usual approach applies here: inspect first, deal with the conditions, then treat in a targeted way. Roaches are one of the pests where treatment can also be needed inside the home, because some species live there.
- We inspect inside and out to find the species, the hiding places and how they're getting in.
- We point out the moisture, food and entry points that are helping them, and what to fix.
- We treat the places where roaches live and travel, outside, inside or both, depending on what the inspection finds.
- We tell you what we used and where.
Treating where the roaches actually are, instead of everywhere, is how we keep product use down.
Cockroaches and our plans
Cockroach coverage depends on the plan or agreement you choose. The plans page shows which of our three plans include them. Our Terms of Service explain exclusions and the pests that need a separate agreement.
If you're not sure where your home fits, ask when you book your inspection. We'll tell you.
What you can do in the meantime
None of this replaces treatment, but it makes treatment work better.
- Fix leaks and wipe up standing water.
- Keep food in sealed containers and take the trash out regularly.
- Don't leave pet food out overnight.
- Seal gaps around pipes and doors.
- Check boxes and bags before you bring them inside.
Reviews
Hear From Our Happy Customers
Hundreds of Google reviews across our verified service locations.
Excellent on Google
Josh F.
Google review · Sep 2026
Alex was great! Very professional and explained the whole process before doing any work. We had a wasp nest in our wall, getting in through a seam between our brick and siding. I thought it would be a costly problem, but it was taken care of in about 15 minutes.
Amy B.
Google review · Sep 2026
I am very pleased with the work of Planet Friendly Pest Control. I had a large wasp nest in the garage and they came out to treat it the same day! The process was clear and professional. I was told the price when I called and they didn't try to upsell me on a monthly or quarterly contract. As mentioned above, they came out the same day I called and they texted me when they were on their way. They treated the nest and then came back a week later to confirm it was taken care of and removed the nest. It's now been a couple of weeks since the initial visit and no sign of new wasps! I would not hesitate to use them again.
Cheryl P.
Google review · Aug 2026
Tech was very nice, explained what the chemical is designed to do.
Patrick H.
Google review · Jul 2026
I want to sincerely thank Planet Friendly Pest Control and its owner, Gene Wright, for their immediate response and action to deal with a hive of Bald Face Hornets who, unbeknownst to me, had taken home in a fair size shrub at the back of my house. As I attempted to trim the shrub, I was swarmed by Hornets and stung 8 or 9 times before I could get to safety. I left my tractor and tools in a hurry and was afraid to retrieve them until the bee issue was addressed. Again, PFPC responded quickly and allowed me to get my tools and continue my recovery from the bee stings. I considered the price to be very fair for the treatment of the issue at hand and the sharing of knowledge to avoid further such mishaps. I will only call PFPC when in need of pest control.
Betty E.
Google review · Jul 2026
Roger came out and killed hornets in large nest on our house. It was taken care of the day after I called for service.
Ken C.
Google review · Jun 2026
Planet Friendly has been doing our pest control for several years now. They are reliable, and perform a great service for us. We are notified by email when the appointment is confirmed. They are always professional and knowledgeable.
Nikole R.
Google review · Jun 2026
Really appreciate Roger coming out to the house to not only treat for common insects that like to make their way into the house (regularly scheduled maintenance), but also exterminate a hornet nest we found on our deck this last week. Great service, arrives on schedule (and sends a text with arrival time when he’s on his way), and most importantly - no critters coming inside my house - or hornets potentially stinging us. Recommend Planet Friendly Pest Control to anyone looking for an exterminator.
Kathleen M.
Google review · Jun 2026
Great service. No bugs in the house! They quietly and quickly get the job done, no hastle.
San D.
Google review · Jun 2026
Roger was very kind and professional. He did an excellent job attending to areas of the exterior of our home that required extra attention.
Patti W.
Google review · Jun 2026
Gene Wright came highly recommended by multiple neighbors. He came out the same day I called and showed great knowledge about our mouse problem! Gene was responsible, knowledgeable and a delight to deal with. We highly recommend Planet Friendly Pest Control.
Denise A.
Google review · Apr 2026
This is my third year using Planet Friendly to control ants in my home. I have yet to see an ant. What a relief. This is a real necessity where I live. Thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cockroach Control
Not always. A single large roach in a garage or basement may have wandered in from outside. Seeing several, seeing small ones, or seeing roaches in the daytime or in the kitchen is more concerning. An inspection tells the difference.
No. They look for food, water and a place to hide. A spotless house with a leaking pipe can have them.
Some do. American and smokybrown cockroaches often come in from outside. German cockroaches usually arrive indoors in bags and boxes, or move between apartments through the plumbing.
When it's needed, yes. Roaches are one of the cases where treatment inside can be needed. The inspection shows whether the problem is outside, inside or both.
They can carry bacteria and contaminate food and surfaces, and their droppings and shed skins can trigger allergies and asthma in some people. That's a good reason not to wait.
Start outside. Keep trash sealed and well away from the house, and seal the cracks and gaps they use to get in. For a mild case, bait can help limit them. If you see them regularly or inside the house, the inspection shows what's drawing them in and how we'd treat it.
They live mostly outdoors and come in looking for food and water, so you'll usually see them in garages, attics and around lights. One now and then isn't an infestation. Several, or regular sightings inside, are a good reason to call.
American cockroaches are the largest roaches in the home, and they usually need a professional. In a mild case, bait can help limit them. Fixing damp spots and sealing small gaps helps keep them out. The inspection shows how far it's gone and where they're coming from.
Yes. The initial inspection is free, and there's no obligation.
Trusted locally
Local Cockroach Control Experience You Can Trust
Gene Wright began solving pest problems in 1998. He founded Planet Friendly Pest Control in 2010 to provide a more thoughtful, inspection-driven approach for homeowners.
Planet Friendly Pest Control serves Southern Maryland and Northern Virginia with inspection-first, exterior-first pest control for homes with pets.
- Licensed in MarylandLicense #31162
- Licensed in VirginiaLicense #13372
- A+ BBB ratingNot BBB accredited
- MSPCA memberMaryland State Pest Control Association
- NPMA memberNational Pest Management Association
Cockroach Guides
Large and common, American cockroaches often need a professional. Our guide covers how to identify them and where they hide.
Read the full article: How do I deal with American cockroaches?They can fly, and they can carry bacteria inside. Our guide explains how to recognize them and what helps.
Read the full article: Why are smokybrown cockroaches a concern?They hide in dark, hard-to-see places. Our guide covers the signs of an infestation and the risks.
Read the full article: What should I know about brown-banded cockroaches?They hide in small spaces and spread easily. Our guide covers prevention and when to call for help.
Read the full article: How do I plan against German cockroaches?They look for water and often live in garages and basements. Our guide explains how to prevent them.
Read the full article: What should I know about oriental cockroaches?
Free & no obligation
Ready to find out what you're dealing with?
The first step is a free inspection. A technician looks for the roaches, the hiding places and the way in, then explains what we'd do about it. There's no obligation.
If a covered pest returns while the customer's service is active, Planet Friendly Pest Control will return and address the problem at no additional charge.
- Free initial inspection
- No long-term contracts