German cockroaches can show up in nearly any type of account, from residential to commercial, large to small. They get brought in through goods and people moving them around. Keep in mind a few key facts, and you can increase your chance of finding them early and treating them effectively.
- 1. German cockroaches are small. They are smaller than most of the other pest species of cockroaches and can fit through tiny openings. They get into equipment like dishwashers and ovens, slip through cracks like underneath baseboards, and get into hard-to-reach areas like wall voids. Because of this, monitoring is helpful to tell where the concentrations of populations are. Use the EZ Conceal monitor to get to some of those tight areas. With the adhesive backing, you can use these monitors vertically: stuck to the sides of cabinets and the backs of equipment for better monitoring.
- 2. These cockroaches are good at hiding. There are some estimates that only about 20 percent of German cockroach population is out foraging. The rest stay in their hiding spots and feed off whatever little food particles come back with the adult foragers. Getting to this “hidden population” is key to getting control. Baits are highly effective because the foragers bring them back to all the hiders. Getting bait close to where they are foraging and their hiding spots is key to getting more bait uptake. Pro tip: if there are concerns with putting bait directly on a surface, use the EZ Conceal without a glue board, and it becomes a removable bait station. You can also monitor the amount of bait eaten.
- 3. They are after food and warmth. German cockroaches prefer warmer areas and are less tolerant of cold temperatures. By focusing the inspection on warmer sites (think equipment with running motors that keep a microclimate of warmth around them), the problem areas become easier to narrow down. Of course, these areas are often hard to access and get the bait to. A good option may be the IBS Insect Bait Station. It can hold both gel or granular bait and can be mounted in tight areas to get the bait closer to the cockroaches. Pro tip: you can use both granular and gel bait in a station. Remember, when using any type of pesticide, read and follow all label rules and directions.
When a German cockroach problem is caught early, it is often easier to deal with because populations are isolated and small. When populations are established and have been ongoing, it’s going to require more work, particularly more bait and time to get that bait to the areas. As populations start to go down, it’s essential to monitor so bait gets to where they still are hiding. Use monitors and bait stations to find the hot spots and focus on those areas.
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