Some cities sparkle with nightlife and neon; others hum quietly under the weight of humidity and heat. Then there are places where something else thrives after dark — creatures that scuttle in the walls, swarm under sinks, and scatter when the lights come on. Across the United States, cockroach infestations have become more than a household nuisance; they’re a mirror of how weather, housing, and urban neglect collide.
Recent data from the American Housing Survey and pest-control firms shows that roaches have claimed their own capitals. From Houston to Oklahoma City, they follow moisture, warmth, and crumbs with equal precision.
Houston, Texas: The Epicenter
In Houston, everything feels oversized — freeways, storms, and the roach problem. Nearly 37 percent of households reported sightings in 2023, the highest rate in the nation. The city’s subtropical humidity and aging infrastructure form a perfect habitat. Older neighborhoods near the bayous struggle most, where water damage and clogged drains invite the pests.
Local exterminators say that 2025 has been one of their busiest years since Hurricane Harvey. Leaky pipes, long summers, and mild winters keep the population steady. For many Houstonians, roaches are as familiar as mosquitoes — part of daily life in a city that rarely cools off enough to kill them.
San Antonio, Texas
Just a few hours west, San Antonio’s Spanish missions and stone courtyards hide a more recent invader. Roughly 28 percent of homes reported infestations last year. The city’s limestone foundations trap moisture, and historic architecture leaves cracks that modern sealants can’t reach…