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HOW TO CONTROL ROACHES AT HOME
By Ed Lee, Master Gardener

(Condensed from various OCES publications)

Cockroaches can live in any area of a home; however, they prefer areas with moisture problems (leaks) and poor sanitation. Poor sanitation includes food spills, overflowing garbage cans, or a dirty stove or wall.

Roaches will eat anything which contain starch, including cereals, sweet or sugary substances, and meat products. They also feed on cheese, beer, leather furniture, hair, wallpaper, garbage, dead animals, and dog food.

Roaches can carry many diseases. They leave their manure on food, tables, and cabinets. They also leave their egg cases which are the nest generation of roaches. Places infested with a lot of roaches have an odor that can be offensive.

The following are suggestions for optimum roach management.

    Step I.   Sanitation is important.
 
  • Do not leave dirty dishes or pet feed out overnight. Store pet food in a closed, airtight container.
  • Clean stove tops, counter tops, cabinets, and floors often. (Don't forget baseboards, cracks and crevices!)
  • Remove trash daily.
  • Do not let laundry pile up.
    Step II. Remove hiding places and possible sites of entry.
 
  • Keep trash and wood piles away from buildings.
  • Seal openings around pipes, windows, and doors.
  • Fix leaky pipes.
    Step III. Insecticides and similar product may help break the life cycle of roaches.
 
  • Insecticides should be used for severe problems only after following Steps I and II.. Use precautions to keep chemicals out of food, spices, and off of dishes or eating utensils. See CAUTION below.
  • Insecticide dusts are long lasting, but become ineffective when wet. Apply in small amounts between wall voids, under appliances and furniture, and around pipes. NOTE:Dusts and aerogels are respiratory irritants. follow instructions on their lables.
  • Inorganic powders labeled as insecticides (boric acid or silica gel powders) are slow acting, inexpensive, low in toxicity, and effective long after application. Apply a light film to cracks and crevices. Avoid applications to moist or damp areas, especially when using silica aerogel. NOTE:Dusts and aerogels are respiratory irritants. follow instructions on their lables.
  • Baits are another form of insecticide and are most effective when used as a supplement to dusts or sprays when no other food source is present. Roaches feed on the bait and return to their hiding places and die or become unable to mate and create other roaches. They are slow acting but will control moderate to low populations of roaches. Baits have very limited to no effect on humans and are the best option to select if children are in the home.
  • Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) disrupt the life cycle of roaches. They affect immature roaches and are slow acting. Use with sprays that kill adults.
  • Foggers may contain either active ingredients that kill adults or a combination of adult insecticides and IGRs. Insecticides are released continuously for a period of time. Follow directions!
  • Sprays are available in ready-to-use forms. They do not last as long as dusts. Apply sprays to cracks and crevices. Do not allow puddling or running to occur. IGRs may be found as an additional ingredient in ready-to-use sprays. Most over-the-counter insect sprays will kill only the roaches hit by the sprays. Never purchase or use an insect spray that does not have a label like those seen in stores. NOTE: Exercise caution when using oil-based insecticides; they may damage tiles, paint plactics, houseplants, etc. Oil-based sprays can creat a fire hazard when used near an open flame (pilot lights, gas stoves, furnaces). Water emulsions may stain wallpaper. They can short out electrical circuits.
  • Traps reduce populations and can help to monitor roach activity. Traps may contain sticky glue, food attractants, biological agents, or inorganic powders. The type you use depends on the results you want. Roach traps are mainly used indoors to monitor roach populations and to control small roach populations. Check the traps often to prevent too many roaches from collecting on the glue.
  • Pest Control Companies can be used to control major roach infestation. Never use a pest control company which does not provide you with their company name and proof of certification or that takes payment in cash with no receipt showing how to contact them.

CAUTION: When using an insecticide within the house, you should always consider the possibility of damage to woodwork, tile, carpet or fabric. If in doubt about the possible damaging effects of a chemical on household items, spray a small area or portion of a fabric and observe for damage. Also, be sure to consider the safety of children and pets (dogs, birds, fish, etc.) before using an insecticide inside the home.

For additional information see OCES publications L-266 Roach Management: A Homeowner Guide; L-290 How to Control Roaches at Home; F-7312 Household Pest Control, Circular E-918 Major Horticultural & Household Insects of Oklahoma.

Need more help?

Walk-ins are welcome at the Master Gardeners office at the O.S.U Extension Center, 4116 E. 15th Street (Fairground Gate #6). You can reach us by phone at (918) 746-3701 or the Tulsa Garden Center (2435 S. Peoria) Master Gardener line (918) 746-5130. Our hours are from 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Garden Center office is closed from noon to 1:00 for lunch.

Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or handicap, and is an equal opportunity employer. Work in Agriculture, Home Economics, and Related Fields, USDA, OSU and County Commissioners Cooperating.

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URI:/insects/roaches.shtml   Date Modified:Monday, 10-Jan-2005 11:18:14 EST   Friday, 05-Sep-2008 15:43:30 GMT