Dusts contributing to cockroach control

Dr. Cisse Spragins, founder and CEO, Rockwell Labs

Dusts can be excellent tools for cockroach control. Both boric acid and silica dusts, for example, are odorless and non-repellent and will not interfere with baits. Boric acid is the best option in damp areas like commercial kitchens and needs to be ingested to kill.

Self-grooming insects such as cockroaches pick up the dust when walking through it and ingest it when grooming.

Boric acid dust that is super-fine milled will stick to insects. When applied to areas with organic build-up, it effectively turns the gunk into “bait” upon which cockroaches (and small flies) feed and die.

Silica dust kills by contact, causing rapid dehydration and death. It’s an ideal choice for areas that aren’t washed down regularly, such as multi-family and residential accounts.

Both types of dust are mineral-based, so they don’t break down. They are effective until physically removed.