Examine the edges of drop ceilings, especially above cooking and dishwashing areas. Inspect the back of the refrigerator. Check behind the tub, shower, sinks, and toilet. American cockroaches frequent basements, coming in from sewers and landfills. Open the covers on inside floor drains, and check the foundation.
Kitchens provide ideal cockroach habitats for the German and brownbanded cockroaches.
Clean all surfaces there, especially between appliances and counters. Scrub under refrigerators and stoves. Scrape food deposits from corners. Keep garbage in closed waster containers that you can empty and clean regularly. Store compost buckets in the refrigerator until they are emptied.