Successful roach control depends on a a number of methods and tools. Prevention and sanitation are the basis of the effort because its far easier to prevent roaches than to get rid of them after they have arrived. Next we will discuss baits, dusts and sprays. You might think about calling an expert to do the dirty work. They have the gear and know-how to do a methodical job and have access to chemicals unavailable 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 help, but most of the time roaches catch a ride into the house in bags or boxes. So inspect everything and anything before it comes in your house. Any indication of roaches or roach eggs, or brown liquid stains is a red flag.
The next step is sanitation. Thoroughly vacuum everything. cleaning every surface with hot soapy water will destroy the pheromone (scent) that roaches find attractive. Then eliminate the roach necessities, that is, food water and shelter. If you can do this phase well, roaches will find it very difficult to get established. After all would you want to live where there was very little in the way of food, water or shelter?
Although chemical products are used for roach control, the tactics have changed greatly over the last 30-40 years. Baseboard sprays, once extensively used, have been found to be ineffective. The techniques preferred today are baits and dusts. Sprays are usually used only to locate and wipe out nests or high populations. The truth is that chemicals used alone are not the most effective way to control cockroaches. Used correctly in combination with prevention and sanitation techniques however, they can be an important addition 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 effective roach control product. Even though they take longer to work (4 to 6 weeks), the control lasts much longer that other chemicals since the cockroaches can no longer reproduce. look out for adults with twisted wings because that is a sure sign the treatment is working.
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 roach control in a nutshell. Vacuum thoroughly and wipe everything down with hot soapy water. Locate baits where roaches have been seen. Use either gel or container type of baits. Use dusts in concealed areas. Check monthly, exchange when gone or empty. Do not use liquid sprays except to clean out or knock down nests. Read all directions and above all be safe.
Expert roach control is offered by Florida Bug Inspectors. They have more than 25 years experience solving tough pest control problems in and around Tampa. Contact Florida Bug Inspectors today.
Tags: bugs, Gardening, Home and Garden, home improvement, insects, pest control, pests, roaches
