Do it Yourself - Cockroach Prevention and treatment assistance

Cockroaches are one of the few pests that require a joint effort between the pest controller and those living in the home.  Cockroaches are the quickest reproducing roach species and they thrive with small amounts of food, water and shelter.  This means the elimination of all three of these resources are essential when preventing AND eliminating them.

 It's important to note that an infestation can go from just a few cockroaches to a very large population in about three months.  A single female german cockroach can produce thousands of "children" in just a year.

German Cockroaches compose about 90 - 95% of the cockroach home infestations in New York.  Below are their identifying characteristics:

• Size:  German Cockroaches are usually around 1/2 an inch to 5/8 an inch long. 

• Color – Their color is typically tan or light brown with two black stripes down their back.

• Shape – They appear thin, oval, and long with fully developed wings that cover their abdomen.  Despite the wings, they cannot fly.

These pests are incredible at hiding, so sometimes you need to look for evidence they leave behind.

• Peppered Feces: German Cockroaches leave behind clusters of tiny dark specks or smears that look like ground black pepper or coffee grounds.  These can often be found in cabinet corners, drawers, and along baseboards.

• Musty/Oily Odors: A growing infestation produces a distinct, unpleasant musty odor.  These odors can naturally be found in areas where they congregate for food or sheltering.

• Egg Cases (Oothecae): Females leave behind tan, capsule-like egg cases (about ¼-inch long) hidden in cracks and crevices. 

• Shed Exoskeletons: As nymphs grow, they shed their light-colored outer skins, which can be found in their hiding spots.

• Nighttime Sightings: German roaches are nocturnal and they hate bright light including flashlights.  Inspecting potential food and harborage areas such as the kitchen during nighttime using a dim, "reddish" or golden light can sometimes result in direct sightings without scaring them away.  

• Eliminate Paper Products - Cockroaches love paper products as they easily absorb their pheremones making them great nesting grounds.  Also, they LOVE the glue found on paper products such as cardboard boxes!

• Moisture Control – Elimination of water sources is essential in helping to prevent these pests. Leaky roofing, plumbing, windowsills and bathtubs can create optimal conditions.

• Clean Nightly: Wipe down kitchen countertops and anywhere food has touched and clean the stove and knobs with degreasing cleaner at night. Never leave dirty dishes out overnight as they are buffets for cockroach colonies.

• Secure Dry Goods: Transferring boxed foods to plastic containers is a great deterrent.  Roaches can chew through thin plastic bags and cardboard packaging and help themselves to food inside.

• Deep Clean Appliances: Use a vacuum attachment to access areas around the fridge, stove and microwave where crumbs gather.  The toaster is a big target!  Wipe down these areas as well for food residue.   

• Manage Pet Food: Clean out pet food bowls even if the food is all eaten.  The food residue and proximity to the floor are great attractants for cockroaches.

• Sanitize Trash Bins: Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and regularly clean the interiors to remove food residue.  If dealing with an existing cockroach problem, emptying the trash every night is key.