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Nobody wants to flip on the kitchen light and see a cockroach scurry across the counter. It’s unsettling. And in West Des Moines, it happens more often than you’d think. Roaches aren’t just a big-city problem — German cockroaches, Oriental cockroaches, and American cockroaches all turn up in central Iowa homes, apartments, and commercial buildings. They’re tough, they breed fast, and they carry bacteria that can contaminate food and surfaces.
Miller Pest Solutions has been eliminating roach infestations across the Des Moines metro since 2007. If you’ve got roaches, we’ll get rid of them.
Signs of a cockroach infestation
Cockroaches are nocturnal. Seeing one during the day usually means the population is large enough that they’re being pushed out of hiding by overcrowding. Other signs to watch for:
- Droppings. Small, dark, pepper-like specks in cabinets, drawers, along baseboards, and behind appliances. German cockroach droppings look like coffee grounds or black pepper.
- Egg cases. Cockroach oothecae (egg capsules) are small, brown, pill-shaped casings. You might find them in cabinets, behind refrigerators, or in pantry corners. Each one contains dozens of eggs.
- Musty odor. A heavy roach infestation produces a distinct, oily, musty smell. If your kitchen or bathroom has an unexplained odor, roaches could be the cause.
- Smear marks. In areas with moisture, cockroaches leave irregular brown smear marks on surfaces as they crawl along walls and counters.
- Live or dead roaches. Finding cockroaches in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or basements — especially near water sources — confirms an active infestation.
Why Roaches Are Common in West Des Moines
Cockroaches need three things: food, water, and warmth. Iowa’s cold winters drive them indoors, and once inside, our heated buildings give them everything they need to thrive year-round.
German cockroaches — the most common indoor species in this area — are almost always brought in. They hitch rides in grocery bags, delivery boxes, used appliances, and even furniture. West Des Moines has a high concentration of apartments, condos, and multi-family housing near the Jordan Creek area and along EP True Parkway. In multi-unit buildings, roaches spread between units through shared walls, plumbing, and ductwork.
Oriental cockroaches tend to live in basements and crawl spaces where moisture collects. Older homes and commercial buildings with floor drains and sump pits are particularly vulnerable. The city’s mix of construction ages — from 1950s ranches to brand-new builds — means different roach risks depending on the property.
Our Roach Control Process
Roach control requires a systematic approach. Spraying baseboards doesn’t cut it. Here’s what actually works:
assessment and identification. We identify the species. This determines the treatment strategy. German cockroaches require aggressive interior treatment. Oriental cockroaches often need exterior and moisture-related solutions.
Gel bait application. Professional-grade gel baits placed in cracks, crevices, hinges, and harborage areas. Roaches feed on the bait and transfer lethal doses back to the colony through contact and fecal matter.
Crack and crevice treatment. We apply residual products and insecticidal dusts into wall voids, behind outlets, under appliances, and inside cabinets where roaches hide during the day.
Growth regulators. Insect growth regulators disrupt the roach reproductive cycle, preventing nymphs from reaching maturity and breeding.
Follow-up service. Roach control almost always requires follow-up treatments. We schedule return visits to assess progress, reapply products, and ensure the population is collapsing.
Sanitation recommendations. We’ll point out conditions that support roach populations — grease buildup, food debris, moisture issues, clutter — and give you practical steps to address them.
Why Choose Miller Pest Solutions
Roach problems are personal. They affect how you feel in your own home. We take them seriously, and we don’t leave until the job is done.
- QualityPro Certified — Fewer than 3% of pest control companies earn this
- NPMA Member — We follow industry-leading protocols
- In business since 2007 — Joel Miller has personally overseen thousands of pest control jobs
- Confidential service — We understand the stigma. We’re discreet.
Get a Free Phone Bid Today
Roach populations double fast. A small problem this week becomes a major infestation next month. Don’t wait.
Call Miller Pest Solutions at (515) 329-1679 for a free phone bid. Describe what you’re seeing and we’ll give you an honest quote. No visit required for the estimate.
Learn more at millerthekiller.com. Serving West Des Moines and the greater Des Moines metro.
