COCKROACHES IN BUILDINGS.

The German cockroach is the species most associated with apartments. It stays close to food and water, hides in cracks and crevices around kitchens and bathrooms, and moves between units along plumbing and wall voids. Treating only the apartment where they were seen can leave the source untouched.

Cockroaches also move to survive disturbances. A broad spray in one unit can push them into the next, which is why targeted baits and coordinated service are preferred over repeated spraying.

Cockroach droppings and body parts are known asthma triggers, which is why New York City’s Local Law 55 covers them. Owners of buildings with three or more apartments must inspect units and common areas every year and correct infestations using integrated pest management. That means removing nests and cleaning up droppings and debris with a HEPA vacuum or by washing surfaces, sealing the holes and gaps cockroaches use to move between apartments, and repairing the leaks and drips that give them water.

Pesticides are meant to be used sparingly, and any that are used must be applied by a professional licensed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. For tenants, the practical step is to report cockroaches and leaks to the landlord in writing. If the problem is not addressed, a complaint can be filed through 311. Good results usually come from both sides at once: the building seals and repairs, and the household keeps food sealed and the kitchen dry.