How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Dubai Apartment (Without Calling Pest Control)

Seeing cockroaches in your Dubai apartment is stressful, especially when they show up in the kitchen at night or run out from under the sink. The good news: in most flats you can bring them under control yourself, without spraying chemicals all over your home. This guide walks you through exactly how to get rid of cockroaches in a Dubai apartment, step by step.

Why Dubai apartments get cockroaches

Apartment buildings in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi share walls, pipes, drains and rubbish chutes. Cockroaches travel easily between units through these shared spaces, and the warm, humid climate lets them breed all year. Kitchens and bathrooms give them three things they need: water, food crumbs and dark gaps to hide in.

The two types you are most likely to see are:

• German cockroaches — small, light brown, usually in kitchens, around the fridge, oven and cabinets. They breed very fast. Read our guide on German cockroaches in UAE kitchens.
• American cockroaches — large, reddish-brown, often coming up from drains, bathrooms and building shafts. See cockroaches coming from drains.

Step 1: Find where they are hiding

Turn the lights on in the kitchen after dark and watch where they run. Check these hotspots with a torch:

• Hinges and corners inside kitchen cabinets
• Under the sink and around water pipes
• Behind and under the fridge, oven and dishwasher
• Gaps along skirting boards and cracked tiles
• Around bathroom drains and the toilet base

Look for droppings (small black specks), egg cases and a musty smell. These tell you where to put the bait. Our full list is here: where to apply cockroach gel.

Step 2: Use gel bait instead of spray

Sprays kill the cockroaches you can see, but most of the colony stays hidden inside walls and cabinets. Gel bait works differently: cockroaches eat it, go back to their hiding place and spread it to others. That is why gel bait is the method many pest professionals rely on for indoor cockroaches.

Advion Cockroach Gel Bait contains indoxacarb, an active ingredient designed to work through the colony. Apply it as small, pea-sized dots directly in the cracks and corners you found in Step 1. Follow the amounts on the product label. Compare the two approaches in cockroach gel vs spray.

Step 3: Don't spray near the gel

This is the mistake most people make. Insecticide sprays and strong cleaners contaminate the bait, and cockroaches will avoid it. Once you have placed gel bait:

• Do not spray insecticide in the same areas
• Do not wipe the bait spots with bleach or detergent
• Let the cockroaches find and eat the bait

Step 4: Remove their food and water

Bait works best when it is the most attractive food around. For the next few weeks:

• Wipe counters and the stovetop every night
• Store food, rice, sugar and pet food in sealed containers
• Take out the rubbish daily and keep bins closed
• Fix dripping taps and dry the sink before bed
• Don't leave dirty dishes overnight

Step 5: Seal entry points

Use silicone sealant on gaps around pipes under the sink, cracks in tiles and gaps along skirting boards. Use drain covers or keep bathroom drains closed at night. This slows down new cockroaches arriving from neighbouring flats.

Step 6: Check, then top up

Check your bait spots every few days. If the gel has been eaten, apply fresh dots in the same places as the label directs. You may see more cockroaches for a short time at first. That is normal, and we explain why in why you see more cockroaches after using gel bait. For a realistic timeline, read how long cockroach gel takes to work.

When to call a professional

If you have a very large infestation, cockroaches in many rooms, or the problem keeps returning because of your building, speak to your building management. A shared problem often needs the whole building treated. Our guide on DIY vs pest control in Dubai helps you decide.

Safety first

Gel bait is an insecticide. Always read the label, place bait where children and pets cannot reach it, wear gloves when applying and wash your hands afterwards. More detail in is cockroach gel safe around children and pets.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get rid of cockroaches in my apartment without pest control?

Yes, in most cases. Targeted gel bait, good kitchen hygiene and sealing gaps can control a typical apartment infestation. Large or building-wide problems may need professional help.

Why do cockroaches keep coming back in my Dubai flat?

Usually because they are coming from shared drains, shafts or neighbouring units. Seal gaps, cover drains and keep bait in place so new arrivals are controlled too.

Is gel better than spray for apartments?

For indoor cockroaches, gel bait is usually more effective because it reaches the hidden colony. Spray mostly kills the ones you can see.

How much gel do I need for a small flat?

A 30g syringe is designed for many small spot applications. Use small dots in the hotspots and follow the label for how many spots to use.