Before: What you need to Know
Cockroaches need food, water,
and shelter to survive. Once they find these things, they leave “scent trails”
to attract others.
In Illinois, the three most
common cockroaches are the American, German and Oriental (a.k.a. water bug).
While treatment is generally the same for all cockroaches, it is necessary to
know which type you have in order to be more effective.
Cockroaches are common in
basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. They prefer warm, humid areas and tight
spaces (like cracks).
Cockroaches are strong and
tough to get rid of. They reproduce fast and are very good at hiding. Often you
don’t know there is a problem until it’s a big problem!
Cockroaches usually come out
to eat or drink at night; this is when you are most likely to see them.
Step 1: Inspect
and Identify
You must know which kind of
cockroach you are dealing with and where they are located so you can focus your
efforts. Walk around your home and note any areas where cockroaches could live
(dark, tight, and moist spaces). Focus on the kitchen and bathroom. Look for
signs of roach activity like droppings or shed skins. Set out sticky monitoring
traps in areas where you think they might be hiding; be sure to place them out
of children’s reach.
Step 2: Keep Them
Out
(or In)
If a cockroach can’t get into
your home, it can never become a problem. Typically cockroaches enter a
building through its doors, cracks, holes, windows, or without us even knowing,
on our clothes, backpacks, groceries, cardboard boxes, etc. To prevent
cockroaches from entering your home:
Move dumpsters away from back
door and keep lids closed. Install doorsweeps (the flap under the door) as
needed. Avoid propping doors open.
Caulk and repair any holes
around water pipes, baseboards, outlets, and windows.
Put screens over windows and
drains.
Use a cleaning solution that
is made up of 1-part vinegar to 1-part water to remove any “scent trails.” Unload
any cardboard boxes immediately and remove from home.
Step 3: Remove
Food
and Water
Once they get inside your
house, cockroaches are attracted to areas where food and water are easily accessible.
Limiting food and water is enough to stress a population and effect
reproduction. Cockroaches eat everything we eat but will also eat a lot of
other common household items, like toothpaste, cardboard boxes, or wallpaper
glue. Cockroaches can live up to two weeks without food, but they need water or
moisture every few days. To get rid of food and water sources:
Store food in tightly sealed
containers. Use
a trash can with a lid, and take garbage out often. Clean trash can regularly.
Limit where food is eaten.
Sweep, mop, or vacuum food areas daily. Clean up spills immediately.
Don’t leave dirty dishes in
the sink overnight; wash or rinse them right away.
Clean inside, under, and
around the stove, oven, microwave, and dishwasher.
Clean drains, using an enzyme
cleaner or stiff wire brush. Fix
leaky pipes.
Get rid of all cardboard.
Step 4: Reduce
Shelter
There are hundreds of places
a cockroach could hide in the average home. Generally, cockroaches live in
groups. Do your best to eliminate as many hiding places as possible.
Get rid of clutter including
newspapers, magazines, and cardboard.
Fix peeling wallpaper.
Caulk or seal holes, cracks,
and crevices especially around pipes and under the sink.
Check potted plants. If
infested, throw away.
If your home is heavily
infested, check electronics, books, and behind picture frames.
Repair loose floor boards and
other molding.
Step 5: Monitor
and Record-Keeping
Keep track of everything you,
your landlord, and the pest control company does to manage your problem.
Continue monitoring with sticky traps, so that you can evaluate your efforts.
Step 6: Treatment
Nonchemical and chemical
treatment always comes last. Your first line of defense is to prevent access
and eliminate food, water, and shelter by following steps 1 through 5. If you
don’t follow these steps first, cockroaches are likely to return.
Regularly
Vacuum floors, cupboards,
cracks, and crevices. Use vacuum with a HEPA filter.
Clean “scent trails” with
1-part vinegar and 1- part water.
Safe Choices That
Work!
Gel baits or bait stations
work best against cockroaches. They can be purchased at your local hardware
store. Be sure to choose a product that is made for cockroaches. If you have
any questions or need help, don’t be afraid to ask. Always read labels before
using any product and follow directions completely. Gel baits and bait stations
need to be placed where there are signs of cockroaches or where you have seen
them. Products should always be out of a child’s reach.
Things to Avoid
Do not use aerosols, sprays,
bombs, or foggers. These are NOT useful and are an outdated way to get rid of
these pests. They will not eliminate the problem, and they can affect you or
your family’s health. If someone has been hired to do a chemical treatment in
your home, ask them to use baits instead of sprays.
