Cockroach Control: How to Win the War
September 14th, 2016
COCKROACHES! Yuck! They’re ugly, dirty, and invasive, and they’re also one of the reasons we get called out to businesses and homes throughout Southwest Florida. The heat and humidity found in Florida isn’t just a tropical paradise for people— it creates an attractive climate for many insects, including nasty cockroaches. It’s no wonder cockroaches are a common pest in Southwest Florida. After living here and being a part of the community, we know and can attest to the fact that these common pests can be tricky to eliminate, but with the following tips, we can help you win the war on cockroaches.
Prevention is Important
Even with the best intentions and the most proactive approach to preventing cockroaches from entering your home, it’s still a common occurrence in Southwest Florida. Make sure that your home is free of grease, food crumbs, or other organic waste product, and store food properly in air-tight containers. Additionally, you will want to maintain a clean, dry home. That means keeping surfaces like countertops, windowsills, and tables clean, as well as sweeping, vacuuming, and cleaning on a regular schedule. You’ll also want to make sure that maintenance is taken care of swiftly so that no leaky pipes or wet environments exist because cockroaches love that. As for the exterior of your home, don’t leave landscaping debris in piles and be sure to check windows and door seals for cracks. If you find a roach in your otherwise clean home, don’t fret — they are incredibly common in the area, and there are ways to treat the problem.
Treating a Problem
If you find one roach, there will always be more. It’s important to act promptly when dealing with roaches because they multiply very fast. Cockroaches produce egg sacs that can carry anywhere from 10-48 eggs, depending on the type of cockroach. When it comes to treating your home, there are a number of insecticides that can eliminate cockroaches. Perhaps the most effective of all the pesticides is Boric Acid powder. When kept dry, it is an excellent insecticide that can take care of cockroaches. In fact, it’s often used in conjunction with baits, and in some cases, it is sold as part of a bait. Additionally, there are sprays, baits and traps with glue pads, and other kinds of powders. Because cockroaches are so common in southwest Florida, you’ll likely be able to find any of these at your local hardware store. Please keep in mind, however, that simply applying pesticides alone will not fix the problem. We recommend an integrated pest management approach that works by identifying, monitoring, preventing problems. As always, be sure to read all instructions when using a pesticide and heed any warnings that relate to small children and pets.
Know When to Call a Professional
While it’s never too soon to call a professional, many homeowners will attempt to treat a cockroach infestation themselves. If you have tried using insecticides and you’re still finding roaches, it’s time to call a professional. Cockroaches not only carry disease, but many people are allergic to cockroaches, and it can cause additional problems for those already dealing with asthma. If you are allergic to cockroaches or have asthma, we recommend you immediately call a pest control company to prevent any health related emergencies.
