Effective roach control depends on a a number of techniques and products. Prevention and sanitation are the foundation of the effort as its way more effective to prevent roaches than to eliminate them once they have become established. Then we will talk about baits, dusts and sprays. You might think about calling an expert to perform the dirty work. They have the gear and training to do a thorough job and have access to products not available to homeowners.
Roach management begins with prevention and sanitation. Prevention just means barring roaches from your home. Keeping window screens repaired and the doors and windows shut will make prevention easier, but the majority of the time roaches catch a ride into the home in bags or boxes. So inspect everything and anything before it comes in your house. Any sign of roaches or roach eggs, or brown liquid stains is a red flag.
After that comes sanitation. Vacuum everything thoroughly in every nook and cranny. Scrubbing every surface with hot soapy water will kill the pheromone (scent) that attracts more roaches. Then get rid of the roach basics, that is, food water and shelter. If you can do this step properly, roaches will have trouble getting established. After all would you want to live where there was no food, water or shelter?
While chemicals are used for roach control, the strategies have changed greatly over the last 30-40 years. Baseboard sprays, once commonly used, have been found to be unproductive. The methods preferred today are baits and dusts. chemical sprays are usually used only to find and clean out nests or high populations. The reality is that chemicals alone are the least effective method to control cockroaches. Used properly in combination with prevention and sanitation techniques however, they can be a valuable supplement to the arsenal.
Baits are valuable and highly suggested. They function well and limit pesticide exposure. Baits usually come in plastic containers, or big syringes for gel applications. Put bait stations in corners wherever roaches have been seen. Squirt small amounts of gel into cracks and crevices near roach sightings. Also place gel around windows, doors, and any other suspected cockroach hiding spot, but not food handling areas.
Insect growth regulators (IGR) are another useful roach control tool. Even though they take longer to work (4 to 6 weeks), the control lasts much longer that other chemicals since the roaches can no longer breed. Watch for adults with twisted wings because that is a sure sign the treatment is effective.
An additional helpful set of products are dusts. Dusts are slow-acting but work for a long time. The most common dust labeled for roach control is boric acid dust. Do not confuse the boric acid accessible in drug stores with the roach control chemicals. They are very different. Boric acid dust is best used indoors in clean, dry locations. Use dusts in concealed areas like under appliances and in cracks and crevices. Be careful not to overuse dusts. A very gentle dusting is plenty. This is one product where less really works better.
Here is the bottom line on roach control. Vacuum thoroughly and clean everything with hot soapy water. Position baits where you have seen roaches. Use either gel or container type of baits. Use dusts in hidden locations. Inspect monthly, exchange when gone or empty. Do not use liquid sprays except to clean out or knock down nests. Be sure to read the directions and be safe.
Florida Bug Inspectors, a leading Tampa pest control company, has over 25 years experience solving tough pest control problems. If you have roach control problems, call Florida Bug Inspectors.
Tags: bugs, Gardening, Home and Garden, home improvement, insects, pest control, pests, roaches