Building a strong record of the infestation
You prove a cockroach infestation with documentation: dated photos and videos of live roaches, droppings, and egg cases; written reports to your landlord; any pest-control or inspection records; and receipts for contaminated food or damaged items.
The strongest records are built over time. Capture roaches where they gather — behind appliances, under sinks, and inside cabinets — and photograph droppings and smear marks. Save every text and email with your landlord about the problem, because these show what the landlord knew and when. If an exterminator visited, keep the service records, which can confirm both the infestation and how it was handled.
Notes about how the infestation affected your daily life — thrown-out food, disrupted sleep, health symptoms — help complete the picture. You do not need a laboratory to have proof; a consistent, dated record often tells the story. A free review can help you understand which evidence matters most in your situation.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.