A PDF of this file is available.Cool facts
- Cockroaches are the oldest insects and have been living with people since the cavemen.
- Cockroaches have been on earth for 350 million years and have changed little in appearance since that time.
- More than 3,500 species of cockroaches have been identified worldwide. Scientists speculate there may be 5,000 that have yet to be discovered.
- There are about 70 species of cockroaches in North America. Of these, only about 10 are common pests.
- Cockroaches will eat just about anything: human food, paper, fabric, leather, hair, plants, dead animals. They need little food to survive and reproduce.
- Cockroaches will live inside electronic equipment and can disrupt or short-circuit them or even cause electrical fires by chewing through wiring.
Two roaches to look out for in your area....
Small (German cockroach)
- About a half-inch long on average.
- Can't survive outside, they have to live inside.
- If seen in the house, homeowner should be alarmed because the probability of infestation is high.
- Adult lifespan is about four to five months.
Large (American cockroach)
- About 1.5 to 2 inches long.
- Can survive inside and outside.
- Normally when found inside, they have wandered in from outside.
- If seen, probably not a problem in the house and may just be an anomaly.
- Adult lifespan is about a year.
The Cockroach-to-Asthma Connection
- Around 63 percent of all U.S. households have a detectable level of the cockroach allergen in the home. (Source: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)
- The cockroach allergen has the highest rate of occurrence in apartment buildings.
- Allergens come from saliva, fecal material, secretions, cast skins and dead cockroaches. (Source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
- The National Institutes of Health found that the cockroach allergen worsens asthma symptoms more than dust mites or even pet allergens.
Preventing Cockroach Infestation
- Eliminate clutter, such as stacks of clothes or newspapers.
- Keep food in tightly sealed containers.
- Keep inside of home clean and do not leave out food or crumbs.
- Seal cracks and crevices in walls of home.
- Check items such as shipping boxes, school bags, grocery bags before bringing them indoors.
- Avoid using thick mulch within at least one foot of home. Mulch retains moisture and creates attractive habitat for roaches.
- Reduce amount of water available by repairing water leaks and not over-watering plants.
- Use baits and gels.
How do cockroaches get inside a home?
- Cockroaches can slip in through cracks in your dwelling.
- If your neighbors have roaches then your general space is at risk. Cockroaches commonly infest adjacent apartments.
- Shopping bags, shipping boxes, or anything that has been transported from one location to another can potentially bring roaches into your home.
Can you handle an infestation yourself?
- Probably! Many infestations can be controlled using baits like Combat.
Place baits around house, specifically where you see cockroaches and give the process two weeks. - Even though you may be desperate, DON'T mix sprays and baits. The sprays will repel or kill cockroaches on the spot. The key to baits is that infected cockroaches take the poison back to the nest and kill the group.
- If you are battling a large infestation, you can use a vacuum to remove many of the cockroaches you see. Be sure to use a vacuum with a bag and immediately seal and dispose of the bag in the outdoor trash after vacuuming.
- If after two weeks there are no positive results, call an exterminator.
What's the difference between bait and spray products?
Baits (attractant)
- Provides long-term control for your roach problems by targeting the nest.
- Only offers short-term results and is limited to the pests you see.
- You don't have to see the roaches to kill them, and the bait can be placed in multiple locations simultaneously.
Sprays (repellant)
- You need to come face-to-face with the pest to kill it.
- Simple to use and no mess
- After use, you must extensively clean the area where the pesticide was sprayed and dispose of the dead pests.
Where to place your baits
- Baits must be placed where cockroaches are likely to be found.
- In the kitchen and bathrooms, near dark, damp places (cockroaches need water to survive), under the sink, inside cabinets, under the refrigerator, behind the garbage can.
- Cockroaches tend to walk along the walls and cabinets, rather than in the middle of open rooms. Place bait stations so that at least one edge is in contact with a vertical surface and you'll increase the chance that cockroaches will find it.
- For baits to be most effective, all other food sources should be eliminated. Don't leave any food lying around and clean the house thoroughly.
