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. Thoroughly vacuum everything. cleaning everything with hot soapy water will destroy the pheromone (scent) that attracts more roaches. Then get rid of the roach necessities, that is, food water and shelter. If you can do this step properly, roaches will have trouble getting established. After all would you be able to survive where there was no 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 effective and highly recommended. They work well and reduce pesticide exposure. Baits commonly come in plastic containers, or big syringes for gel applications. Place bait stations in corners where roaches have been seen. apply small amounts of gel into cracks and crevices in the vicinity of roach sightings. Also place gel around windows, doors, and any other suspected roach location, but not where food is prepared or handled.

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 cockroaches can no longer breed. Watch for adults with twisted wings since 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 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 is a leading Tampa pest control firm. They have been helping Florida families with their pest control problems for over 25 years. If you have pest problems, call Florida Bug Inspectors.

categories: roaches,bugs,insects,pests,pest control,home improvement,Home and Garden