Cockroach infestations affect millions of U.S. households, particularly those who live in multi-family residential buildings, who made up nearly 70% of rental units in 2023.
A national study, led by researchers from the University of Florida, University of Kentucky and Louisiana State University, suggests that cockroach infestations in multi-family apartment buildings persist not due to a lack of effort by residents but because a combination of barriers makes these pests difficult to eliminate.
“Factors including building connectivity through shared utilities like plumbing and inaccessible areas like wall voids between apartments can make eliminating pests within multi-family housing very difficult,” said Johnalyn Gordon, an assistant professor of entomology at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center and one of three researchers on the study. “In affordable, multi-family housing, for example, these challenges may be further magnified by building disrepair such as water leaks that allow pests to thrive and a lack of effective pest control, allowing pest problems to persist.”
German cockroaches, the most common indoor species worldwide, are known to trigger asthma, worsen allergies and contribute to mental health stress, particularly among children. That means millions of people are impacted by persistent pest problems that lead to negative quality of life, mental health and public health implications.
Researchers say the findings are part of a broader effort to improve cockroach control strategies, especially in apartment buildings and other multi-unit housing.
The study received responses from 926 renters from 44 states and the District of Columbia, with the highest number of responses from Texas at 110, Florida at 92, New York at 73 and California at 67.
The survey, which focused on those living in apartments who currently face or have previously faced cockroach problems, was aimed at identifying the social, behavioral and structural barriers that continue to undermine effective cockroach control in shared housing environments. Rather than focusing solely on insecticides or treatment technologies, the research examined how resident experiences, expectations and decision‑making interact with property management practices to shape long‑term results.
The responses indicate that many renters deal with frequent cockroach sightings but have come to see them as a normal part of daily life. More than 70% of respondents see cockroaches at least once a month, and nearly 30% see them every day. Meanwhile, most respondents reported being satisfied with pest control efforts, even when roaches were still present.
Researchers say that disconnect may be key.
“When residents are actively dealing with pests, yet happy with pest control, it makes it hard to hold accountable those responsible for providing a pest-free home,” said Zach DeVries, a co-author of the study and The Bill Gatton Early Career Professor at the University of Kentucky.
While most respondents associated cockroaches with negative health impacts and reported taking action when they see one — whether by killing it, applying products themselves or contacting management — many reported being satisfied with pest control even as cockroaches remained a regular presence in their homes. For many renters, seeing cockroaches several times a month, or even daily, seemed normal.
“We have to find ways to raise people’s expectations. Cockroaches should not be an accepted part of life, and we’re working to try and change the belief that cockroaches will always be a problem in affordable-housing communities,” said DeVries.
Even though many respondents reported seeing cockroaches frequently, most said they were satisfied with pest control, whether done by property management, professionals or themselves.
“More than three-quarters of respondents said they would be willing to pay to use complex-wide treatment with professional pest control to avoid infestations, showing there is real value for peace-of-mind for a cockroach-free home,” said Jerrod Penn, a co-author of the study and the Martin D. Woodin Endowed Professor at Louisiana State University.
The findings also raise concerns about widespread reliance by residents on using consumer pest control products. Around 79% of respondents reported applying products themselves, most commonly sprays, foggers and baits purchased at retail stores.
The researchers stress that this study is not an endpoint, but a foundation. It is part of a broader, ongoing collaboration across institutions examining how pest biology, housing policy, management practices and resident behavior intersect, and how those intersections can either undermine or support effective cockroach control.
This collaborative study was funded by two grants amounting to $1.4 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“Ultimately, everyone deserves to live in a home free of pests. By approaching the challenge of cockroach infestations in multi-family housing from all of these facets, building upon previous work that has been done, we hope to continue to move the needle forward in improving interventions and developing effective strategies,” said Gordon.
Featured blog banner photo: Photo of a German cockroach on a map by Johnalyn Gordon.
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By Lourdes Mederos, rodriguezl@ufl.edu
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The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
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