Natural Cockroach Control

Cockroach, a genus of insects having an oval, elongated, flattened body, which is smooth on its upper surface. The males have parchment like wing covers, and the wings of the females are imperfectly developed. They are exceedingly agile in the night time, and are troublesome in houses, bakeries and wherever food is plentiful, as they eat all kinds of provisions. They conceal themselves in cracks and crevices, and very frequently find their way through water and steam pipes into all rooms of a house. The black croton bug breeds in water pipes and is sometimes a great nuisance. The cockroach, however, is a great enemy of the bedbug. Each female lays about thirty eggs in each of two compartments of a small case, which she carries about with her for seven or eight days. The young when hatched are nearly the same form as their parents, except that their wings are not well developed. There are about 1000 species known.

Natural Cockroach Control

by Michael O’Brien

Waking in the middle of the night you go into the kitchen looking for a late night snack. Switching on the light you see cockroaches scurry across the floor looking for a place to hide. Seems you weren’t the only one looking for bite to eat. So now that you have cockroaches in your home, immediate steps must be taken to eradicate these unwelcome pests. Contrary to popular belief, cockroaches do not pose a serious health risk. Though roaches can carry bacteria, the primary risk is to people who may have an allergy to the droppings roaches leave behind. Still, no one likes to have roaches in their home and controlling theses hardy pests requires several steps. Though many of us would reach for the nearest can of chemical insecticide, there are some effective non-chemical methods you can employ to deal with cockroaches.

Chemical insecticides can be effective in controlling our insect problems but recent studies seem to indicate that many species of bugs, including cockroaches, are becoming more and more resistant to insecticides. Improper use of these powerful chemicals can potentially expose you, your family and your pets to unwanted and possibly dangerous side effects. Another significant downside to chemical insecticides can be found in the manufacturing process which can have a profoundly negative impact on the environment.

Since two of most common cockroach species prefer to reside indoors, an important first step to eliminating your roach problem is maintaining a clean and sanitary living space. Removing any food sources is key and involves keeping food products properly sealed and cleaning up all food waste. Cockroaches like damp, dark environments such as those found under sinks, cabinets and basements. Pay special attention to sources of moisture like leaking water lines and drain pipes and repair any leaks you find. Cold water supply lines are often a source of condensation during humid weather and should be insulated. Make sure to thoroughly clean under all your cabinets and appliances. Cockroaches can be introduced to your home in shipping boxes and even newspapers so always check these items for signs of roaches.

Other cockroach species find their way into your home from outside and since cockroaches need only a very small gap to gain entry, it is important to thoroughly inspect the exterior of your home for gaps and cracks, especially around the base or foundation. Caulking compounds or self-expanding foam products can be used to seal these areas and are available at your local hardware or home improvement store. Make sure that door seals and window screens are in good repair. Clean up any trash and debris around the outside of your home especially any food waste that may attract roaches. Keep trash containers tightly sealed and clean them on a regular basis. Taking these steps will also go a long way towards controlling other types of insect pests.

Before reaching for the bug spray, always look to non-chemical methods of trapping and otherwise killing roaches. Non-chemical traps are available and use an attractant bait to lure the cockroach. Be sure to use a sufficient number of traps and carefully follow the product directions for placing the traps in proper location. These types of traps are widely available and relatively inexpensive. You also can make traps out of small glass jars baited with a food source like sugar or pet food. Coating the inside of the jar with a petroleum jelly to prevent the cockroaches from escaping once they are inside. These traps are also effective for use against other insect pests like centipedes. When the trap is full, simply dispose of the bugs, clean the jar and start over.