AMERICAN COCKROACHES

The Best way to keep these pests under control is to keep them from infesting your home or establishment to begin with. The only way you can do this is through prevention. So how can you prevent an infestation? Keep reading to learn the easiest ways to keep these insects from becoming a problem.

Prevention:

1. Keep them out: make a quick inspection of bags, boxes, cartons, etc. for evidence of American        cockroaches before bringing these items inside the building. Evidence to look for includes droppings, body parts, odor, or dead cockroaches. If you find any evidence, don't bring in the item unless it has been cleaned first.
If you see evidence inside the building then it's time to get out the handy caulk gun. Seal any visible cracks and don't forget to look for cracks underneath cabinets and under sinks. As silly as it sounds, don't forget to keep your toilet flushed- these pests can also enter into your plumbing system. While you're at it, you'll want to keep take care of the outside as well. Keep shrubbery and trees trimmed making sure they aren't touching the building.

2.  Sanitize: Keep the building moisture free! Never leave water sitting in the sink and fix any leaking pipes. Don't leave food uncovered in your refrigerator or any food sitting out at night.  Check pet areas for spilled pet food as well. Keeping carpets and floors clean is another important factor in prevention. Before you throw empty cans in the trash, rinse them with water. And always empty trash each evening. If you have a cluttered home then cleaning won't help. Get rid of your clutter! If you think you may be hoarding-call a professional organizer who can help you live a clutter free life! American Cockroaches love clutter. Throw your stuff in the trash and lock the lid!
    3. Keep a Close Watch: The only way to make sure these creepy crawlers stay way is to play “I Spy”.    You can purchase sticky traps to help. Place traps in various places at night. American Cockroaches like to come out and play at night, so if you are in danger of infestation you'll catch them in the evening while you sleep. Remember that this method is to help you monitor the insects and to make you aware of a problem before it gets out of hand. Prevention is always the key to keeping these pests from taking up a permanent residence in your dwelling!

Treatment:

You have tried preventing these critters from moving in but alas-they have decided to stay! You need to take more drastic measures. Here are some ways to send them packing or to an early grave! The first methods include chemical treatments.

1. Baits: Cockroach baits can be purchased as gels, dusts, pastes, or granules. They can be dusted on cracks or crevices or sprayed on with aerosol. Pastes and gels are purchased in a syringe and can be applied with a weight gun. Apply granular baits to landscaping around the perimeter of the building. Here are the most commonly used and effective baits on the market: hydramethylnon (Combat). and fipronil (Combat). Professional pest control products include dinotefuran (Advance), imidacloprid (Pre-empt), fipronil (MaxForce), hydramethylnon (MaxForce), indoxacarb (Advion) and acetamiprid (Transport). 

2.  IGRs (Insect Growth Regulators): IGRs are for professional use only. The compounds in this method do not kill the insects, they sterilize the nymphs-thus, halting reproduction. Using IGR's is a slow process and it can take one year to be effective. They are usually used in combination with baits. These are the most common ingredients in IGR's: hydroprene (Gentrol Point Source) and pyriproxyfen (Nylar).
   
   
3. Aerosol Sprays: While these sprays are not effective if you have an infestation, they will still hold their ground. They will send American Cockroaches to an early grave upon contact! There are many on the market, the choice is limitless. Be patient! While it may look like your visitor isn't responding to this chemical, think again. Sometimes it takes a couple of minutes for your unwelcome intruder to take his last breath. 

Non-Chemical Treatments:

For those of you who want to go natural or organic fasten your seatbelts. There are effective and natural ways to say goodbye to these criminal creepers, once and for all!

1. Organic Dusts: Number one on the list of organic treatments is Diatomaceous Earth. This is an all-natural product made from microscopic fossilized water plants. Diatomaceous Earth has been around for billions of years. The diatoms (skeletal remains of algae-like plants) are mined and ground up to a fine powder. The result is a mineral based pesticide. The make up consisting of approximately 3% magnesium, 33% silicon, 19% calcium, 5% sodium, 2% iron and many other trace minerals such as titanium, boron, manganese, copper and zirconium. This natural treatment will kill any unwanted intruder!  This dehydrates the cockroach and eventually kills it. Boric acid dust is a stomach toxicant that also adheres to the cockroach when it walks across the dust. The cockroach then grooms itself using its mouthparts and ingests the dust in the process.

2. In-organic dusts: Boric Acid also works great! The boric acid once ingested by the cockroach will kill them from the inside out, literally exploding their entire inside structure.

3. Dawn, Dawn, Dawn: Yes I am referring to good old Dawn Dishwashing detergent! Mix some Dawn with water in a spray bottle and simply squirt!

Now that you have the facts, the rest is up to you! The only visitors we want in our dwellings-are the ones we have invited for a friendly cup of coffee!