Roaches

Control of Cockroaches starts with proper identification. For example, the American Roach (or sewer roach) is more easily controlled than the more common German cockroach. That said, all cockroaches are survivors, constantly reproducing and masters of hiding in the most inaccessible places making the Cockroach a challenging adversary.

At Preventive we have developed a multi-pronged approach dedicated to eliminating cockroach from your home. Our initial service includes vacuuming hot spots (under and behind refrigerator, stove and dishwasher) to kill active roaches and remove oothecas (egg sacs) treating inside plumbing voids and under appliances with the latest products and techniques.

Two follow-up treatments are timed to coincide with the reproductive cycle of adults, thus killing any newborn roaches. Roach Monitor, trapping devices, and baits are strategically placed to finish off the population. In many cases, sealing entry points will be required, caulking holes where pipes pass through a wall may be necessary in the kitchen, bathroom, and other areas of the house in order to control German Cockroaches.

Exploding Populations

German cockroaches produce a large number of eggs per ootheca (about 35 eggs) and they undergo the shortest time from hatching until sexual maturity, resulting in a rapid population growth. The length of the egg stage varies from 14 to 35 days, with six to seven nymphal stages (instars) occurring over a period of 6 to 31 weeks. The life span of the adult female varies from 20 to 30 weeks, she will produce nearly 400 eggs in her lifetime, THAT’S JUST ONE FEMALE. In one year over 10,000 descendants can be produced, assuming two generations per year.

Health Hazards

German cockroaches produce odorous secretions, when cockroach populations are high, these secretions may result in a foul odor in the general region of the infestation. Disease-producing organisms such as bacteria, protozoans, and viruses have been found on cockroach bodies. Different forms of gastroenteritis (food poisoning, dysentery, diarrhea, and other illnesses) appear to be the principal diseases transmitted by German cockroaches. The organisms causing these diseases are carried on the legs and bodies of cockroaches and are deposited on food and utensils as the roaches forage. Cockroach excrement and cast skins also contain a number of allergens to which many people exhibit allergic responses, such as skin rashes, watery eyes and sneezing, congestion of nasal passages, and asthma.

How You Can Help

It is difficult to keep cockroaches from entering your home via boxes, grocery bags, suitcases, and the like, but you can take steps to prevent a serious problem. A key factor in prevention is sanitation. Clean up all spilled foods, including crumbs on the floor. Do not leave dirty dishes overnight. Store items such as cereal, crackers, cookies, flour, sugar, and bread in airtight sealed containers. Empty garbage each evening into a sturdy container with a tightly fitted lid. Structural modifications such as caulking holes in walls where pipes pass through are necessary in the kitchen, bathroom, and other areas of the house in order to control German cockroaches.