Cockroach control is one of the single most challenging pest control issues out there. Unfortunately, choosing any single method of cockroach extermination is setting yourself up for failure. Cockroaches are just too geared towards survival for any one method to do the trick. Instead, the best method of cockroach control is a comprehensive plan that includes keeping a sanitary home along with the use of baits, dusts, pheromone traps, growth regulators, and when necessary, insecticides.
Keep a Clean House
In order to combat a cockroach control problem, it's important to understand how these bugs think. Cockroaches in house are survivors, and as such their primary concerns include eating, drinking, and making more cockroaches. As long as there's shelter and a source of food and water present, they will do their best to make themselves at home. That being said, the first step in any cockroach extermination is making things a little less hospitable. Make sure all foodstuffs are sealed and stored away when they're not being used and never leave food out that's not being eaten. That includes dirty dishes, old pizza boxes, crumbs on the floor, even dog food should be put away at night. Also, be sure to fix any leaky pipes as cockroaches are drawn to those high moisture areas as well.
Find out Where They're Living
Once you've addressed your end of the problem, the next step in cockroach control is identifying where they're living so you can try to close off and eliminate those areas. Look for cracks, holes, and other small spaces behind counters, appliances and in cabinets. Cockroaches in house like tight, dark places, and spend about ý of their lives there. By identifying these places and sealing them off (usually with some kind of caulking material), you're taking another big step towards on getting grid of your unwanted guests.
Poison Central
Once you've identified where your infestation problem has its origins, you can start assaulting that area with wide range of cockroach extermination products. Baits and dusts make for great cockroach solutions for several reasons. First of all, the poison kills any cockroach who comes in contact with them. Secondly, cockroaches are cannibals and any dead cockroach will quickly be eaten by others. If a cockroach dies of poisoning, then all the cockroaches who snack on him are likely to suffer the same fate.
Pheromone Traps and Growth Regulators
Besides poisoning, pheromone traps are an effective form of cockroach control as well. The traps emit a pheromone scent that cockroaches interpret as another roach ready to mate. They are attracted to the trap, head inside for some good times, and quickly find themselves stuck and dying. The other product that addresses the reproductive side of things are growth regulators. It's a spray that when applied to immature cockroaches damages their ability to reproduce, heading the problem off at the source.
Should You Use Insecticide?
Insecticides haven't proven to be as effective with cockroaches in house as with some other insects. Because of their high reproductive rate, many cockroach communities have developed resistance to insecticides, and cockroaches will often retreat from a treated area to another place in the house until the insecticide wears off. You might not see too many roaches for a while, but it doesn't mean they won't be back, either.
By far the best approach to cockroach control includes utilizing all of the tactics mentioned above, and more if you can find them. Also, keep in mind that cockroaches give even the pros a rough time. Honestly, your chances of eradicating them yourself are pretty slim. If you're suffering from a cockroach infestation, your best bet is to call in a pest control company with a proven track record of total cockroach extermination.
