The cockroach remains one of the most persistent and challenging pests for the industry, driven by factors like urbanization, changes in climate and evolving customer expectations around food safety. As cockroaches adapt to existing products, resistance management, timely application and the rotation of dusts, sprays and baits are critical to maintaining effective control. To help pest management professionals (PMPs) form their playbook against this prominent pest, technical experts from top industry suppliers share their latest insights on new formulations and strategic thinking.
Key takeaways
- Proactive shift: A new strategic mindset positions products like Alpine WSG not just as reactive cleanout tools, but as a cornerstone for preventive, long-term cockroach control.
- Resistance management: Utilizing baits with proprietary matrices, multiple modes of action and rotational use, such as Fuse Cockroach Gel Bait and Ultimatum Roach Gel Bait, is crucial for overcoming bait aversion and chemical resistance.
- Targeted delivery: Baits and flowable dusts, including Avert DF and Temprid Dust, are essential for reaching voids and inaccessible harborage areas, improving efficacy and long-term control.
- Non-repellent flexibility: Non-repellent, residue-free formulations with flexible labels allow for routine service protocols in sensitive environments like food-handling areas and schools.
Dr. Jason Meyers
BASF“Recent internal messaging and field data confirm the high efficacy of non-repellent insecticides when used proactively, shifting the mindset from reactive cleanout to strategic, preventive control.
Alpine WSG water-soluble granule insecticide is more than a cleanout tool; it’s a strategic, preventive solution for long-term cockroach control. While traditionally deployed in high-pressure accounts, its non-repellent formulation and reduced-risk designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) make it ideal for routine service protocols in sensitive environments such as food-handling areas, schools and multifamily housing. The flexible label allows for indoor and outdoor applications, including spot, crack-and-crevice and broadcast treatments, with a clear, residue-free formulation that ensures customer satisfaction.
We predict Alpine WSG will be viewed not as a reactive tool, but as a cornerstone of a preventive cockroach control strategy, supported by the Phantom termiticide/insecticide, PT Phantom II pressurized insecticide (valuable for resistance management and cleanouts), Avert DF dry flowable cockroach bait (which reaches voids) and Alpine cockroach gel baits.”
Heather Patterson
Control Solutions Inc.“Cockroach baiting remains a key component of professional management, as combining a targeted delivery with an attractive formulation brings the insecticide directly to the areas where cockroaches hide, harbor and feed. CSI has added Fuse Cockroach Gel Bait to its product suite to help PMPs overcome common challenges they face while managing cockroach infestations: bait aversion, resistance and variable performance under field conditions.
Formulated with a proprietary matrix and two modes of action, applicators can count on this bait to deliver fast-acting and long-lasting results. Not only is it effective against small and large cockroach pest species, killing through both contact and ingestion, but it also offers superior performance in tough conditions. As new and novel innovations, including formulation technology, new chemistries and AI-integrated tools, become available, early adopters will have the opportunity for value-added services that can offer a competitive edge.
Formulated with a proprietary matrix and two modes of action, applicators can count on this bait to deliver fast-acting and long-lasting results. Not only is it effective against small and large cockroach pest species, killing through both contact and ingestion, but it also offers superior performance in tough conditions. As new and novel innovations, including formulation technology, new chemistries and AI-integrated tools, become available, early adopters will have the opportunity for value-added services that can offer a competitive edge.”
Isabelle Lucero
J.T. Eaton“Insecticidal baits can combat cockroach resistance through rotation, as well as cause secondary (and even tertiary) mortality. J.T. Eaton offers the state-of-the-art Ultimatum Roach Gel Bait, which targets multiple cockroach species with long-lasting palatability and efficacy. This is thanks to its hygroscopic (moisture-absorbing) matrix and an active ingredient of 0.5 percent of fipronil.
Fipronil’s mode of action is a central nervous system disruptor that blocks the GABA-gated chloride channel, causing hyperexcitation and mortality, resulting in quick knockdown after consumption or contact. With its easy-to-use, mess-free applicator, Ultimatum Roach Gel Bait can be placed precisely to target where cockroaches have been seen, including in sensitive environments. A central tenet for mitigating the negative effects of cockroach pests — such as the spread of pathogenic organisms or metabolites that cause severe allergies and asthma — is source reduction.
Fipronil’s mode of action is a central nervous system disruptor that blocks the GABA-gated chloride channel, causing hyperexcitation and mortality, resulting in quick knockdown after consumption or contact. With its easy-to-use, mess-free applicator, Ultimatum Roach Gel Bait can be placed precisely to target where cockroaches have been seen, including in sensitive environments. A central tenet for mitigating the negative effects of cockroach pests — such as the spread of pathogenic organisms or metabolites that cause severe allergies and asthma — is source reduction.”
Matt Remmen
Envu“Targeting inaccessible spaces is critical for control. Temprid Dust has two highly effective active ingredients (one newer to pest management use) and a flowable silica aerogel carrier that penetrates deep into these spaces and starts working immediately. Temprid Dust can quickly and consistently control even hard-to-manage pests such as American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana), helping PMPs reduce callbacks and deliver more reliable results. Envu also offers the indoxacarb-based Endius cockroach gel bait, which can be applied in food-handling areas against all types of cockroaches.
Urbanization, expanding food service and storage operations and changes in climate will continue to drive infestation pressures — particularly for introduced species, such as the Turkestan cockroach (Blatta lateralis). As people extend their living areas to indoor/outdoor spaces, they may also encounter wood cockroaches (Parcoblatta spp.) and other insects commonly misidentified as peridomestic cockroaches, creating additional service opportunities.
Resistance management will continue to be critical as cockroaches adapt to existing products, highlighting the need for rotational use of dusts, sprays and baits to maintain effective control. Growing customer expectations around food safety, sanitation and sustainability will further emphasize integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.”
Targeting inaccessible spaces is critical for control. Temprid Dust has two highly effective active ingredients (one newer to pest management use) and a flowable silica aerogel carrier that penetrates deep into these spaces and starts working immediately. Temprid Dust can quickly and consistently control even hard-to-manage pests such as American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana), helping PMPs reduce callbacks and deliver more reliable results. Envu also offers the indoxacarb-based Endius cockroach gel bait, which can be applied in food-handling areas against all types of cockroaches.
Urbanization, expanding food service and storage operations and changes in climate will continue to drive infestation pressures — particularly for introduced species, such as the Turkestan cockroach (Blatta lateralis). As people extend their living areas to indoor/outdoor spaces, they may also encounter wood cockroaches (Parcoblatta spp.) and other insects commonly misidentified as peridomestic cockroaches, creating additional service opportunities.
Resistance management will continue to be critical as cockroaches adapt to existing products, highlighting the need for rotational use of dusts, sprays and baits to maintain effective control. Growing customer expectations around food safety, sanitation and sustainability will further emphasize integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
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