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How to Prevent and Kill Roaches-advice from a Professional

Updated on June 5, 2012
Glue board on top of fridge
Glue board on top of fridge | Source
Glue board behind hotwater heater
Glue board behind hotwater heater | Source
Wallpaper-roaches have eaten the glue on the back
Wallpaper-roaches have eaten the glue on the back | Source
Black feces from roaches left behind fridge
Black feces from roaches left behind fridge

Prevention-when possible

I hate bugs. I mean I really hate them. I come from a long line of exterminators-in fact my mother's maiden name was Spray (as in pesticide). Three of my uncles own their own pest control companies as does one cousin, and I married an exterminator. My personal pest control professional to ensure that I do not ever have a bug problem. One of the bugs I hate the most is the German cockroach (Blattella germanica). Roaches are nasty, come with a stigma, and spread disease. They are ugly and crunch underfoot. There is nothing to love about a roach. My feelings pretty well expand to all other members of the roach family. As a mother my job is to ensure my child's home is safe and clean-part of which includes pest free.

The good news is that you can follow a few steps to help prevent a roach infestation unless you live in close contact with others-such as apartment buildings. In that case your plan would be more about exterminating rather than preventing.

  1. Check everything that comes into your home-boxes, bags, groceries, everything.
  2. Realize that people could unknowingly bring in eggs on their clothing if they have an infestation.
  3. Keep your home clean and picked up. This means no food or drink lying around!
  4. Use glue boards in your cabinets at all times. They will quickly catch any vagabond roaches before they mutliple. They are also non-toxic and safe around kids and pets.

Great-I have roaches. Now what?

What happens once you find that lonely roach hanging out on your glue board or in the kitchen all alone at night? Time to call a professional, or you can do something about it on your own. My husband says that if you can buy it in a store it isn't strong enough, but if pushed the pro's would recommend that you do the following:

  1. Buy the roach motel with the chemical Fipronel . It is a type of pesticide that roaches can't pick up on and kills them within 3 days. Place these in both your kitchen and bathroom cabinets, behind the refridgerator, behind microwaves, and near the stove. Use 10-15 roach motel's total.
  2. Clean up if you haven't done so already.
  3. Put down glue boards.

professional sprayer and equipment
professional sprayer and equipment

Panic time-I am overrun. HELP!

For you it sounds like it is time to call in the big guns-the professional exterminator. You first need to find a reputable company. Ask your friends, check out the better business bureau, check your phone book, and check out online reviews.

A quality company should:

  1. Offer a free quote
  2. Come to your house and do an inspection
  3. Guarantee their work and be licensed and bonded.
  4. Have only licensed professionals working for them, and produce the license upon request.
  5. A professional should be able to identify the species of roach-yes there are several. They should also explain how quickly roaches multiple, the treatment plan, and prevention techniques.

Avoid the following red flags:

  1. Unprofessional service techs. You should always be treated with respect and have all your questions answered.
  2. The first service should last from 1-4 hours-any less and you aren't getting what you paid for.
  3. If the tech walks in with just a spray tank and bait you should worry. They should have gloves, respirators, a fogger, regular spray tank, and 4-5 different chemicals.

It might take more than one treatment depending on the severity of the infestation. Also, be sure to let the technician know of any structural issues that could slow down treatment. An example would be more than one layer of sheetrock in the walls. The roaches can get between the layers and be harder to kill.

With the proper tools, and by following these tips you should be able to take care of any infestation.


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