Cockroaches

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The German Cockroach, the most prevalent and economically significant cockroach species, is a hitchhiker that enters homes and businesses through the transportation of items from outside. In restaurants, they often arrive with stock from vendors or employees experiencing domestic issues. Cockroaches require three essential elements for survival: food, moisture, and warmth. The presence of these conditions facilitates their thriving and reproduction, leading to the development of an “infestation.” It is a common misconception that a single cockroach indicates the presence of thousands. This notion likely originated from outdated television commercials promoting over-the-counter sprays.
Unless poor sanitary conditions exist, an infestation is unlikely to occur. I have received calls where an employee spotted a cockroach at their desk, prompting the property manager to request immediate fogging of the entire office building floor. However, this is often unnecessary, as the cockroach is most likely a result of a lunch delivery or an employee shopping during their lunch break.
In certain instances, a severe “infestation” originating from a neighboring property may spill over into adjacent rooms, suites, or apartments. This situation is typically determined through a thorough inspection to identify the source and the conditions sustaining the infestation. Recurring sightings will continue until the source is located and eliminated.
Some customers request “Bombing” for a cockroach problem. This is occasionally confused with “fumigation.” Fumigation is a gas used for specific treatments of dry-wood termites, commodities like bulk coffee and grains, and other specialty pest control jobs. Fumigation is not used for general household pests like cockroaches. The correct term is fogging. Fogging is an ultra-low volume (ULV) treatment that can penetrate deep into voids of kitchen equipment and walls to flush out cockroaches hiding in difficult-to-reach locations. The material is expensive and has minimal residual effect to continue killing. A professional with proper training will use this method only in specific circumstances requiring a more aggressive approach but is rarely used in homes or offices. It is mostly used in restaurants and requires extensive preparations to protect food and food preparation surfaces.
So, what works? There are many effective cockroach baits available on the market. These are generally low-toxicity gel baits that, when applied correctly, attract cockroaches that eat them and die. Most bait aversion problems reported as “bait not working” are due to lack of experience or improper baiting. When used correctly and through consistent follow-up treatments/inspections, bait is the least risky and most effective treatment for cockroaches.
Sanitation is key! It cannot be emphasized enough that cleaning is the ultimate solution to eliminating the risk of German cockroach “infestations.” While we all face the risk of having a cockroach introduced into our home or workplace, if the conditions are not suitable, they can quickly be eliminated. Contrary to popular belief, cockroaches are not the “hardiest, most persistent pest that will outlive us all even after a nuclear blast.” Through good housekeeping practices and diligence, it is absolutely possible to maintain a cockroach-free workplace and home.