How do I deal with cockroaches, ants, and other pests in my Korean apartment, and what pest control options are available?

Pests are a common apartment issue, especially in humid summer, but they are manageable. For cockroaches (바퀴벌레), the most effective everyday weapon is bait stations, sold as Combat (컴배트) and similar, placed under the sink, behind the fridge, and near drains; they work better than spray because the roaches carry the bait back to the nest, and sprays handle only the ones you see. For ants (개미), gel baits and ant-specific 개미약 work well. You will find all of this cheaply at Daiso, any supermarket, or on Coupang by searching 바퀴벌레약 or 개미약.

Prevention matters most: keep food sealed, wipe up crumbs and standing water, take out food waste promptly since it is a magnet, and block gaps around drains, pipes, and the front door, since drains are the main entry point (a mesh drain cover helps). If you have a serious or recurring infestation, professional pest control (방역) services will treat your place for a fee, and many apartment complexes actually run periodic building-wide 방역 through the management office, so ask them, since a whole-building treatment is far more effective than doing just your unit. Keeping humidity down with ventilation or a dehumidifier also discourages most pests.