Cockroaches are one of the most common kitchen insects and health code violations in restaurants and other commercial kitchens, but they frequently infest household kitchens, too. These skilled hitchhikers can make their way into the heart of the home or business via cardboard boxes, grocery bags and beverage cartons. Cockroaches are also common in commercial premises associated with the production or handling of food. Also in public buildings and domestic premises eg apartment blocks. Gregarious and nocturnal, they spend the day hiding in cracks and crevices around such areas as sinks, drains, cookers, the backs of cupboards and in refrigerator motor compartments. They especially favour buildings with service ducts and complex plumbing installations. Infestations may be introduced as egg cases or adults in incoming laundry, on raw materials, in crates and packaging, or arise as the insects enter buildings via such routes as drains or refuse chutes.

Cockroaches are potential vectors of diseases such as dysentery, gastroenteritis, typhoid and poliomyelitis. Their diet is omnivorous and includes fermenting substances, soiled septic dressings, hair, leather, parchment, wallpaper, faeces and food for human consumption. The latter may be contaminated either by the mechanical transfer of causative agents of disease from the insect’s body, or by transmission in the faeces and hence can cause outbreaks of food. Cockroaches and their faeces may cause allergic reactions especially amongst sensitive individuals eg asthmatics. Exposure may result from ingestion or through the inhalation of materials derived from cockroaches in airborne dust. In addition, food may be tainted with the characteristic smell of the cockroach, which is produced by faeces and salivary/abdominal gland secretions, or by the dead insects.

Successful control of cockroaches is a complex subject, and depends very much upon tailoring control measures to the species concerned by experienced professionals. We at Pest Web are tailored to do just that! An assessment of the infestation must be made to determine the species and extent of the infestation. Plans of the area will be required. The entire site should be inspected, including where appropriate adjoining premises, normally inaccessible places, drains etc. A night survey is useful as this is the time of maximum insect activity. The survey may be carried out using cockroach monitoring traps, searching for droppings, cast skins and egg cases etc. A pyrethroid-based aerosol sprayed around and into potential hiding places will flush out cockroaches (other than the Oriental cockroach).

Hygiene / Management: A high standard of hygiene is important in the control of cockroaches and involves the following components:

• Deny access to food and water. This will increase cockroach activity and directed movement improving the opportunity for the insects to encounter insecticides.
• Deny access to harbourages in buildings or equipment which would otherwise provide hiding places, a means of gaining access and dispersing and breeding sites.
• Ease of cleaning. Buildings and equipment should be designed to minimise the accumulation of debris and facilitate ease of cleaning.
• Surveillance of incoming materials including packaging and laundry.
• Environmental controls eg. ventilation which will accelerate dehydration of the insects and interfere with the operation of antennal chemoreceptors.

Insecticidal Control: These should be administered with caution and involve:

• Surface sprays - Effective treatment depends upon the selection and thorough application of a suitable insecticide. Many insects and egg cases are well hidden; therefore, the insecticide must be placed at and around these harbourages and maintained over the developmental period of the particular species. To control an infestation the insecticide should ideally persist until all egg cases have hatched but continued immigration may demand routine treatments.
• Space Spray - Regular treatments are necessary eg at weekly intervals until the infestation is brought under control. Thereafter, maintenance treatments, at less frequent intervals, should keep the insect population at an acceptable level. Initially there will be a massive kill of adults and nymphs resulting in only the appearance of young nymphs from time to time. The technique is particularly useful using pyrethroid insecticides to flush cockroaches from their harbourages and over surface deposits of insecticide.
• Insecticidal Baits - Baits offer the opportunity for controlled placement of insecticides formulated in attractive food bases. When placed in areas infested with cockroaches the insects feed on the baits picking up a lethal dose of insecticide in the process. Baits offer the opportunity for continuous control of cockroaches over extended periods. They can be integrated with surface or space spray treatments.

Cockroaches are some of the most resilient pests in the world. They exhibit unique survival tactics, including the ability to live for a week without their head. This makes getting rid of cockroaches a difficult task for homeowners to do themselves. People can take steps, however, to mitigate cockroach problems through barrier exclusion and cleanliness. Barrier exclusion involves preventing cockroaches from entering the home through small cracks in walls, gaps near electric sockets and switch plates, and up through drains. Use a silicone-based caulk to seal these openings. Having a clean and sanitary home will also make it less inviting to cockroaches. Homeowners should keep counters, sinks, tables and floors free of clutter and crumbs. Don’t leave dishes pile up in the sink or spills marinate on the counter. It’s also good practice to store food in airtight containers, and avoid leaving pet food out in the open. Some other ways to prevent cockroaches include vacuuming at least once a week to remove food particles, ventilating crawl spaces to prevent moisture buildup and running water periodically in spare bathrooms to keep u-traps filled.