Cold weather’s coming, here comes a cockroach traveling across the floor and it’s quite disgusting and you need to quickly kill it. However, its presence should also get your attention; keep in mind there’s usually more than one. Eliminating cockroaches require a whole different type of a shrewd strategy. These insects are survivors despite human attempts to get rid of them; they’ve been around for 50 million years. Cockroaches invade buildings, including either residential or commercial come from the outside through cracks and crevices or were brought in hiding in such things as bags or boxes. Once inside they make themselves comfortable and take up residence if the conditions are right for access to food, water, and shelter.
Remember a single cockroach problem can quickly go from bad to worse whereas they are terrific breeders and their numbers drastically increase. According to the entomology studies such as in the University of Kentucky, once cockroaches become established they are capable of producing several thousand offspring in a year. So, act quickly.
The first thing to do before deciding how to eradicate cockroach problem, is identifying what type of cockroach was found. Some of the species are either the American or smoky-brown cockroaches about one or two inches long. These are usually outdoor cockroaches and can become an indoor problem when they accidentally come in through an open door, crack or crevice and of course carried in. The German and brown banded cockroaches are smaller, less than ¾ inch and are “indoor” or domestic species. The German cockroach is the most common indoor cockroach and hardest to control and eliminate.
Successful cockroach control begins with prevention and sanitation. Your house does not have to be dirty or unkempt for a cockroach problem to develop. Here are few suggestions to prevent an infestation:
- Cockroaches breed prolifically in corrugated cardboard boxes so, discard unnecessary boxes immediately. Remediate cracks and gaps around doors and windows to help prevent cockroaches from entering your home.
- Check for leaking pipes or standing water in the kitchen and bathrooms, including in sinks, catch basins, under refrigerators and laundry rooms.
- Garbage cans, dirty dishes, sink strainers, crumbs on the floor and between appliances and cabinets, unsealed pet food, and unwashed kitchen appliances and countertops are all cockroach restaurants and feeding areas.
- Cockroaches like to live in dark places that are warm and moist. Tight spaces such as stacks of newspaper or cardboard, clothing piled up or cracks and crevices in structures are ideal. Such surroundings cause pesticides not to penetrate and kill the insects.
Baits containing an insecticide are highly recommended for cockroach control and can be done by Professionals. They usually come in granular formulations, plastic stations, or large syringes for gel applications. Bait stations are most effective when placed in corners where you suspect cockroaches are hiding or using as a path to travel. Cockroaches will die from feeding on the baits directly or from being exposed to it when brought back to the nest.
Dust applications are slow-acting but can give long lasting control. Professionals will apply in areas where they may be hiding such as under refrigerators, stoves, sinks, wall voids, and other cracks and crevices.
The chemical method alone is the least effective. Use of this type of insecticide eventually builds or evolves in the cockroach an they develop an immunity and ultimately, very poor to no control control. Contact spray programs just push the cockroaches back into their hiding areas or cause them to scatter. Rarely is a cockroach problem resolved through this manner doesn’t work for the long term. Results of this method maynot work resulting in you seeing live cockroaches after multiple chemical treatments.
Professional pest control in most cases is the answer for more effective cockroach control. Professionals possess the equipment and training to do a thorough job and have access to products not available to homeowners. A reputable professional will also offer remediation of entry points for these cockroaches. These are the supreme mutant insects that has been around longer than humans get professional help early on and they will be a thing of the past.
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