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Cockroaches, German Roaches, Water Bugs and Oriental Roaches

Cockroaches come in many shapes, sizes and species and live throughout the world. We don’t worry much about most of them because they don’t pose a problem for most people. However there are a few that can be a real pain when they invade our homes and businesses.

The German cockroach (Blattella Germanica) is one such cockroach. This fast multiplying fast growing roach has a reputation for being very difficult to get rid of. Many people have battled this roach in their homes/businesses for years and some have come to believe that nothing can defeat it and this was almost true years ago before we had the newest technology in Ultra-Low toxicity bait products.  With the new highly effective baits there is no spray, smell or mess left behind for humans or pets to contact.

The Urban Entomology Site from Texas A & M University provides key insights into cockroach management. It is easier to “prevent a roach infestation that to control an established population” . Here are the keys as listed on their site:

Inspect
Cockroaches and their likely habitats should be identified before any treatment. Look for evidence near cracks and crevices in walls and cabinets.
Homeowners can detect conditions that will foster the development of infestations through frequent inspections.

Maintain a Sanitary Environment
Proper sanitation effectively limits cockroach populations. Keep it clean indoors and outdoors.
Do not leave unwashed dishes, kitchen utensils, and uncovered food out overnight.
Clean up all spilled liquids. A light application of bleach mixed with water will sanitize most surfaces. Read the instructions on the container.
Areas beneath and behind cabinets, furniture, sinks, stoves and refrigerators should be cleaned often.
Clean and sanitize all cupboards, pantry shelves and storage bins where particles of food frequently accumulate.
Kitchen waste and excess refuse should be kept in cockroach proof container. Dispose of compost and waste materials often.
Store dry pet food in tight containers away from the kitchen and other food.
If pets are fed indoors, leftover foods should not be allowed to remain in the feeding dish overnight.
Outdoors, garbage cans, racks, platforms or slabs should be cleaned regularly

Exclude or protect entry opportunities
Seal any cracks of 1/8 in or more in the foundation and exterior walls to discourage entry.
Check the seal or caulking around air conditioning unit, windows, doors, pipes or other openings into the home.
Inside the home eliminate all possible hiding areas and food sources.
Eliminate and seal any cracks and holes in floors, walls and ceilings.
Seal around plumbing fixtures, furnace flues, electrical outlets, windowsills and walls, and along baseboards and ceiling moldings and any other openings.
Leaky water faucets and pipes should be repaired.
Seal thresholds on doors should be as tight as possible and cracks in porches and stoops.
Eliminate hiding places such as paper, Cardboard, lumber, firewood and other debris next to the home provide excellent refuge for several cockroach species.
Keep yard trash and stacks of firewood away from the home or garage to minimize the chance of cockroach invasion

Add Traps
There are a number of cockroach traps that are inexpensive, convenient to use, disposable and contain no toxic insecticide.
Most are about the size of a large matchbox, that are open at both ends and have the inside surface covered with a very sticky adhesive. (The adhesive immobilizes cockroaches that enter the trap.)
Some may contain a slow release food attractant.
Trapping alone will not eliminate cockroach populations, but must be used in conjunction with preventive measures for maximum effectiveness.
Trapping can reveal the hiding places and the severity of infestation, help monitor the effectiveness of control measures and detect population increases which may require an insecticide treatment.

Traps should be placed where cockroaches are likely to travel to and from feeding and hiding areas. It is best to place traps against walls and in corners where both ends are unobstructed. Reposition the traps if no cockroaches are caught after two or three nights. The number of traps required for a home or building will vary with the kind of cockroach present and the severity and location of the infestation.

Contact Results Pest Control or visit our Do It Yourself Store for the best advice and professional products for cockroach population control or prevention.