Tools and techniques to control cockroaches

Brian Mount

Cockroaches are one of the most adaptable groups of insects. They have been here for a long time, and likely will be for many millennia to come. The good news, though, is there are great tools and techniques available to help pest management professionals control them.

It all starts with an inspection to identify the species, extent of infestation, sanitation issues to fix, food, water and harborages. For large infestations, vacuuming is a great tool to capture and remove a substantial number of cockroaches, molted exoskeletons and other debris.

Baits can be a great tool, but be sure to rotate active ingredients to reduce the chance of developing resistance. There are also contact/flushing and residual insecticides that can be used in hard-to-reach voids and other areas. Be sure to not spray over baits, to avoid contaminating them.

Monitors also are useful tools to assess infestation levels and areas of peak activity. Monitors can help you evaluate how well your treatment program is working, as the numbers captured on them decrease or increase.