Preventive Control and Reduction of Cockroach Harborage

Examine containers that are brought into your home carefully for the presence of cockroaches or their egg capsules, especially if they are brought in from locations known to be infested with cockroaches.If you suspect cockroaches may have been brought into your home, set out sticky traps to monitor their presence. Place sticky traps so they are tight against edges, e.g. where walls meet floors (fig. 8). Place them in areas where cockroaches are likely to occur, e.g. in cupboards and around refrigerators, stoves, and sinks.

Sanitation is very important to reduce cockroach infestations. Cockroaches need water and food to live. By limiting their access to these resources, you reduce their ability to survive and reproduce. It is difficult to make your home and other buildings completely unacceptable for cockroaches, but you can minimize an existing infestation when improving sanitation.

• Do not leave food out over night; keep all food stored in a refrigerator or in insect-proof containers made of plastic, metal, or glass with tight-fitting covers.
• Do not leave pet food and water out overnight.
• Wash your dishes, pans, and utensils as soon as you are done using them.
• Remove all food or spilled drinks from counter tops and clean counters, sinks, and tables with soapy water.
• Vacuum all cracks and crevices to remove debris and food. Also sweep or vacuum any food and debris on floors.
• Take garbage out daily in closed plastic containers; keep waste containers washed and clean.
• Repair any leaky water pipes or faucets.
• Recycle cans and bottles on a regular basis; wash and clean containers that hold recycling items.
• Increase ventilation where condensation is a problem.

Habitat and Harborage Reduction Speak to the facility staff in a friendly, knowledgeable way. Pest control technicians should explain to both staff and management that often changes in facility operations can reduce or eradicate the insect problem. These recommendations should include how staff can eliminate or restrict materials that support buildup of cockroach populations. Site staff should understand that pesticide application alone will not control cockroaches satisfactorily. Some specific actions that will reduce harborage include:

• Seal as many cracks and crevices in the kitchen and food storage areas as possible with a good silicone sealer. A review of monthly reports may indicate from time to time that other specific areas may need to be sealed.
• Repair holes in walls or floors and seal inaccessible areas that could become harborages for pests.
• Replace wood food storage shelves with wire shelves.
• Do not store infrequently used items in the same areas as frequently used items and food supplies.
• Repair all moisture problems.
• Do not keep recycled goods such as beverage containers, cans, paper, cardboard, etc. near the kitchen or food supply areas.
• Institute a good cleaning program. Pesticide use without cleaning and sanitation will not produce long term control of a pest infestation.
• Recommend good lighting.
• Point out areas that need ventilation.
• Recommend reduction of clutter (particularly cardboard boxes) and excess product in cabinets or storage.
• Where practical, install air curtains to keep out flying insects.
• Recommend rotating stock.

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