Roaches? Want them gone now?

Why pests thrive in Mobile

Mobile is one of the wettest big cities in the country. NOAA's 1991–2020 normals for the Mobile Downtown Airport station show about 60.5 inches of precipitation a year, and the City of Mobile's visitor page puts the average at 66 inches. Either way, that is a lot of standing water, damp wood and wet mulch.

Warm, wet weather is exactly what many household pests need. UF/IFAS calls water the most important factor in cockroach survival. Subterranean termites need moisture from soil or wet wood. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Rats and mice move toward food and shelter when storms flood their outdoor spots.

Mobile's winters are also mild. The City of Mobile lists an average winter low around 40°F, so many pests slow down in the cold months instead of dying off the way they do farther north. That is why pest pressure here is a year-round issue, not just a summer one.

Sources: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mobile Downtown Airport · City of Mobile: Weather · UF/IFAS: Cockroaches and Their Management

Roach types you'll see in Mobile

Not every roach means the same thing. Telling them apart helps you know whether you are dealing with a stray from outside or a problem breeding in your kitchen.

American cockroach (palmetto bug)

A large, reddish-brown roach. UF/IFAS shows the adult at about 1½ inches long. Along with other large species it is often called a palmetto bug. It prefers damp, warm places like sewers, garages, storerooms and crawl spaces, and comes indoors from those breeding sites.

Smokybrown cockroach

A uniformly dark, shiny mahogany-to-black roach, about 1 to 1¼ inches long according to UF/IFAS. Both sexes have full wings, fly well and are attracted to light. Texas A&M notes they need high humidity, so they live in tree holes, mulch, woodpiles and attics. They often get in through lit doors and windows at night. This is a very common "palmetto bug" in the Gulf South.

German cockroach

A small roach. UF/IFAS says adults of the smaller species are seldom more than ⅝ inch long. German cockroaches are usually found in kitchens and bathrooms and live indoors, close to food and water. If you see small, light-brown roaches in a kitchen, especially during the day, call a pro. This is the roach most likely to be breeding inside your home, apartment or restaurant.

What this means for you

UF/IFAS notes that outdoor roaches do not survive well indoors, and often just removing the ones that get in is enough. Small roaches multiplying in your kitchen are a different problem. They usually need baits, crack-and-crevice treatment and follow-up visits. See our roach guide for photos.

Sources: UF/IFAS: Cockroaches and Their Management · UF/IFAS: Smokybrown cockroach · Texas A&M: Smoky brown cockroach

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What a pest visit usually looks like

1. Inspection

A tech looks at kitchens, bathrooms, under sinks, behind appliances, attics, crawl spaces and the outside of the building for signs of pests, moisture and ways in.

2. Identification

The right treatment depends on the species. German roaches, palmetto bugs, Formosan termites and native termites are each handled differently.

3. Treatment

Depending on the pest, this can mean roach baits and crack-and-crevice products, traps and sealing for rodents, liquid soil treatment or bait stations for termites, or a mix of methods for bed bugs.

4. Follow-up

Roaches and bed bugs often need repeat visits to catch eggs that hatch after the first treatment. Termite protection is usually set up as an ongoing plan with regular inspections.

5. Cost

We do not list prices we cannot source. Costs vary by pest, square footage and plan. UF/IFAS suggests getting estimates from several reputable firms. Call and ask for a written quote and the company's Alabama license details.

Sources: UF/IFAS: Cockroaches and Their Management · EPA: Introduction to IPM · Alabama Dept. of Agriculture & Industries

Renters & landlords in Mobile

For renters

Write down what you see: photos, dates, which rooms. Report pests to your landlord or property manager in writing so there is a record. Do not spray bug bombs or outdoor-only products inside an apartment. They can spread pests to neighboring units and are not made for indoor use. Read your lease to see what it says about pest control.

For landlords and property managers

German roaches and bed bugs can spread between units that share walls, plumbing and attics, so one complaint is worth a fast inspection. Unit turnover is the easiest time to inspect and treat before a new tenant moves in. Keep records of inspections and treatments. Our landlord page lists the Alabama law source we use. This guide is not legal advice.

Ask about

• Inspecting neighboring units when one unit has roaches or bed bugs.
• Scheduled service for buildings with shared walls.
• Termite inspections for older wood-frame rentals.

Sources: EPA: Bed bugs · UF/IFAS: Cockroaches and Their Management

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Restaurants & food businesses

The FDA Food Code, which many health departments base their rules on, requires food establishments to control pests and keep the premises free of insects and rodents (§6-501.111). German cockroaches are especially common in commercial kitchens because they live close to food, water and warmth.

Daily habits that help

• Clean under and behind equipment, not just the surfaces people can see.
• Fix leaking prep sinks, dish machines and ice machine drains.
• Store dry goods sealed and off the floor.
• Keep dumpster lids closed and the dumpster area clean.
• Keep back doors closed, and seal gaps around pipes and doors.
• Check deliveries for roaches before they go into storage.

Work with a licensed pro

Ask for scheduled service, written service reports and pest sighting logs you can show an inspector. Call as soon as staff see roaches or rodent droppings.

Sources: FDA Food Code 2022 · UF/IFAS: Cockroaches and Their Management · CDC: Rodents

📞 Call nowWant them gone now? Talk to a local pro today.

How to choose a Mobile pest company

When you need pests gone fast, it is tempting to hire whoever answers first. A few questions on the phone can save you a repeat problem later.

• License. Ask for the company's Alabama pest control license and who the certified operator is. The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries regulates this work.
• Inspection first. A good company will want to find out which pest you have and where it is coming from before it treats.
• Written quote. Get the price, what is included and how many follow-up visits are covered in writing. UF/IFAS suggests comparing estimates from several reputable firms.
• Products and safety. Ask what products they will use and what you need to do with kids, pets, food and aquariums.
• Termite terms. For termite work, ask whether the plan covers re-treatment, repairs or both, and how often they inspect.
• Records. Landlords, hosts and restaurants should ask for service reports after each visit.

Write down the company name, the tech's name, the date and what was done. That makes follow-ups and any later disputes much easier.

Sources: Alabama Dept. of Agriculture & Industries · UF/IFAS: Cockroaches and Their Management

Other Mobile pests

Fire ants

Mobile County falls under the federal imported fire ant quarantine. Mounds show up in lawns, along driveways and around utility boxes. See our fire ant page.

Rats and mice

The CDC's advice is seal up, trap up and clean up: close openings, trap rodents, and clean up droppings safely. See our rodent guide.

Bed bugs

The EPA says bed bugs are not known to spread disease, but they are hard to get rid of. See our bed bug guide.

Mosquitoes

With 60+ inches of rain a year, standing water is everywhere. CDC guidance is to remove standing water every week.

Sources: CDC: Rodents · EPA: Bed bugs · CDC: Mosquitoes

Pest guides

• Roaches
• Bed bugs
• Rats & mice
• Termites
• Fire ants
• Landlords, hosts & restaurants