Clean and Spray to Oust Cockroaches

The first thing to ensure is that your pest is actually the humble cockroach. At this time of year, crickets and other insects that resemble cockroaches like to enter homes. These look-alike insects are rather benign, but cockroaches constitute an important health issue.

Cockroaches contaminate food and equipment in the home and carry human pathogens, such as salmonella. Cockroach saliva, feces and cast-off skins are allergens and can irritate allergies and asthma in people, especially children. In addition, they secrete a substance that, if numbers are large, stains surfaces and produces disagreeable odours.

Cockroaches have a flattened, oval-shaped body and long antennae (about the length of their body). When looking at a cockroach from above, its head is hidden from view and it has six strong legs covered with spines. If there is any doubt about whether an insect is a cockroach, submit a sample to an insect specialist or a pest control expert.

To Control Cockroaches

• Physically remove them. Vacuum-cleaning can remove a significant number of cockroaches and egg cases from the environment and can be quite effective when combined with other methods. When possible, use vacuums with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to reduce cockroach debris that may become airborne.
• Set out sticky traps throughout the home, especially in the kitchen and bathroom., and place at least one trap under your sink. Place traps tightly against the walls so cockroaches can't go behind them.
• Freeze them out. You can cold-treat small items, such as toasters, clocks or boxes, to kill cockroaches that may be infesting them. Simply place the item in a plastic bag, close it up, and put the bag in a freezer. Leave the bag in the cold for five days, after which you should clean the item well, before bringing it back into your home.

Meanwhile

• Keep counters clean and remove rubbish regularly. Wipe surfaces and sweep floors frequently.
• Keep your home dry. Get plumbing leaks fixed and eliminate other sources of moisture.
• Pick up papers, boxes and other clutter that give cockroaches places to hide.
• Check for openings in walls, around pipes and wiring and other cracks and spaces. Seal them with caulk to keep cockroaches out.

Unfortunately, to ensure that your cockroach infestation is permanently removed, you'll probably need to use chemicals. Your best bet in that situation is to hire a professional pest control operator who has the equipment and experience that most homeowners lack.

Article provided by SDA Pest Control