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When you start a business, you imagine all the great things ahead—happy customers, growing success, a strong reputation in the community. You might run through some “what-ifs”: What if sales are slow? What if marketing doesn’t land? But let’s be honest, not many of us are putting, “What if my business gets a pest infestation?” on that list.
And yet, for many business owners in the 12 South neighborhood, cockroaches, be it the big outdoor “water bugs” or the indoor-loving German cockroaches, are a real problem. Whether they are preexisting occupants in your space or hitch a ride on deliveries or a customer’s personal items, once they’re inside, roaches can cause major headaches. To get the scoop on how to stay ahead of a potential infestation, we talked to All-American Pest Control’s own Jen Sweeney-Ingram. Jen gave us practical, expert-backed advice on how to keep your business roach-free, because no one wants pests stealing the spotlight.
Meet the Expert: Jen Sweeney-Ingram from All-American Pest Control
Jen Sweeney-Ingram is All-American Pest Control’s Technical Director. She’s the one who leads the charge when it comes to training our team to meet the highest standards in pest control, and she’s got the credentials to back it up.
As a Board-Certified Entomologist, Jen knows bugs. She specializes in insect biology and identification and she uses that knowledge to develop our pest control services and ensure our team is always learning and growing. When we say Jen knows what she’s talking about, we mean it! She’s seen it all and she’s here to share what business owners in 12 South need to know about keeping cockroaches out of their commercial spaces.
Why Roach Control Matters for Your Business
Owning a business means constantly juggling priorities, solving problems, and planning ahead. It’s not just about reacting when something goes wrong. It’s about preventing problems before they start. That’s especially true when it comes to pest control.
“With a lot of human traffic, we’re going to expect roach problems in the 12 South area simply because many species, especially the German roach that only resides indoors, are attracted to the same areas we occupy,” says Jen.
Roaches are more than just a nuisance. They can create real health concerns, put your reputation at risk, and even force you to temporarily shut down operations if things get bad enough. That’s why being proactive with a professional cockroach control plan is the best way to protect your business from these unwanted guests.
Identifying Roach Infestations in Commercial Spaces
The tricky thing about roaches is that they’re experts at hiding. Just because you don’t see them during business hours doesn’t mean they’re not around. They’re largely nocturnal, they’re quick, and they know how to stay out of sight.
Still, there are some telltale signs you can look out for:
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Droppings (they can look like coffee grounds or pepper flakes and for the indoor German roach, you might notice dots around kitchenette cabinet corners or appliance hinges)
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Egg casings (small, brown oval-shaped capsules)
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Musty or oily odors (could be a sign of a larger infestation)
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Visible sightings, especially after hours or when the lights are first turned on
Jen also shared a few real-life examples that highlight just how sneaky roaches can be—and how easily they can get in.
“German roaches are only spread by people; through shipments of goods or maybe from a purse that was set down at a restaurant,” she explains. “Outdoor cockroach infestations could be a result of a broken pipe. One example was a business whose building used to be a laboratory, so there were many cast iron pipes underground that once went to multiple sinks that were no longer in use after a remodel. American roaches (also known as palmetto or water bugs) found breaks in the unused pipes and ended up in the employee break room! Not exactly appetizing.”
Bottom line: knowing what to look for—and where to look—is the first step to catching a roach problem early.
Expert Tips to Prevent Roach Infestations
The good news? You don’t have to wait for roaches to show up before taking action. Prevention goes a long way, and there are simple, effective steps you can take to make your business less inviting to roaches.
“The most important thing is to maintain a clutter-free environment and have a plan in place for sanitation so that if and when a problem does arise, it’s easier to deal with them,” Jen says.
It’s a common misconception that the solution to a roach problem is just to spray and be done with it. But Jen is quick to set the record straight: “Pest control is really about all the ways we can control and prevent pests, and a lot of times that comes down to building maintenance, landscaping, and sanitation,” she says.
To help prevent a cockroach infestation in your 12 South business, here are a few steps you can take:
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Implement a regular cleaning schedule—especially in food prep, dining, and storage areas.
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Keep food and supplies in tightly sealed containers.
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Remove trash daily (or more often, if needed).
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Seal up cracks, gaps, and other potential entry points, and install good weatherstripping under doors leading outside.
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Schedule routine pest inspections—even if you don’t see anything suspicious.
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Educate your staff on proper hygiene and sanitation practices.
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Partner with a professional pest control company for ongoing prevention.
These small steps can make a big difference in keeping your business clean, welcoming, and pest-free.
Why DIY Methods Often Fail in Commercial Settings
We know running a business isn’t cheap. Between overhead, payroll, and day-to-day expenses, it’s easy to look for areas where you can cut costs. But DIY pest control? That’s one corner you don’t want to cut.
Here’s why do-it-yourself roach control often misses the mark:
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Roaches are tough to kill and even tougher to fully eliminate.
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Most DIY treatments only work temporarily and don’t address the root of the problem.
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Misidentifying the roach species can lead to ineffective treatment.
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DIY treatments can be applied incorrectly, posing risks to employees and customers.
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The time and money you spend on DIY fixes can be wasted if the problem comes right back or gets worse.
The reality is pest control is a science, and it’s one best left to the pros. According to Jen:
“Pest control specialists are trained to find the source(s) of the issue and offer treatments, as well as recommendations, that provide the fastest and most effective, long-term relief from cockroaches. A commercial pest control expert would typically spend most of their time inspecting the location, often inside and out, to determine all the different areas that are affected. We know that just because roaches have been seen ‘over here’ that we still need to inspect the premises. Then, we formulate a plan of action and discuss that with you.”
And when you call All-American Pest Control?
“You can expect All-American to provide an honest opinion about your cockroach issue,” Jen says. “We’ll work with you to create a plan for getting rid of them and how it can stay that way in the long term.”
Let All-American Help You Implement Effective Commercial Roach Control
At All-American Pest Control, we know how important it is to protect your business, not just from pests, but from the stress, setbacks, and damage they can cause. That’s why we don’t just treat infestations; we work with you to create long-term solutions that keep your space protected moving forward.
If you own or manage a business in 12 South, we’d love to help you stay ahead of roach problems. Our team is here to support you with routine service, expert advice, and reliable treatments that truly work.
Don’t wait until roaches are running the show; reach out to All-American Pest Control today and let’s build a plan together. We’re proud to serve the 12 South community and we look forward to helping your business thrive pest-free.
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Dependable Pest Control in Nashville, TN & Nearby Neighborhoods
Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve: West End Heights, Bellevue, Brick Church, Charlotte Park, 12 South, Belmont, Burton Hills, Donelson, Edgehill, Ensworth, Hillsboro Village, Hillsboro West End, Melrose, Music Row, Radnor, Shelby Park, Sylvan Park, The Nations, Wedgewood Houston, West Nashville, Whites Creek, and the entire Davidson County and Greater Nashville areas.
For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or schedule a business consultation online.