How To Get Rid of Roaches | Kill Roaches

Cockroaches are both unpleasant and unsanitary.Getting rid of roaches can be tricky because the two most common roach types (German or American roaches) are eliminated using different techniques. After determining what kind of cockroach you have, follow the recommended treatment plans. We have tips on how to inspect for roaches, critical sanitation/exclusion procedures, and best treatment options to get rid of roaches.

Are they the smaller type of roach (adults - 1/2 - 1") you see on the kitchen counters when you turn on the light?

Smaller Types of Roaches such as German Roaches (Inside)

Ultimate German Roach Bait Kit This German roach kit combines a high quality roach gel bait like Invict Gold, with Tekko Pro IGR (our top IGR), Invade Bio Zap and a qt sprayer.The Invict Gold has 11 attractants (without the top eight food allergens) to combat bait aversion and maximize control. The Tekko Pro IGR has two active ingredients to stop reproduction and destroys the adult roaches ability to survive. A quart sprayer bottle comes with the kit to mix it up. It also includes Invade Bio Zap which is a microbial, natural probiotic liquid to eat away organic odors and allergens. It leaves a fresh citrus scent.

Are they the larger type of roach (adults 1.5 " or more) that you occasionally see in the kitchen or other areas in your home?

Larger Types of Roaches such as American Roaches (Inside and Outside)

LambdaStar Ultracap 9.7 (Broad label, long lasting and odorless). It may be used inside or outside and will dry invisibly. LambdaStar Ultracap will last longer outside and adhere to the surface better due to its encapsulated technology. It will yield 20-40 gallons; spray every 2-3 months.

Cyzmic CS is also odorless, long lasting and has a broad label. The 8 oz container yields an average of 15 gallons; spray every 2-3 months.

The first question that we ask when someone says that they have roaches is Where are they living and how big are they? Correctly identifying what kind of cockroach you have is vital and a key to successfully treating a roach infestation. Getting rid of smaller-sized adult roaches is different than getting rid for larger-sized adult roaches. Cockroaches are nocturnal and will scatter if disturbed. The young immature roaches look like the adults, but do not have wings. Once you have correctly identified the cockroach in your area, you can successfully choose treatment options to get rid of your roach problem. Within these pages, we have provided examples of the most common types of roaches found in the USA.

Smaller adult roaches include the German roach and the Brown-Banded roach. The most invasive of these two types of cockroaches is the German Cockroach .

The smaller German roach is just 1/2"-1 " in the adult stage. They have two stripes behind their heads and have a light/golden brown color. The Brown-Banded roaches have stripes along their wings. Both the German roach and Brown-Banded roach live and breed inside. Treatment for both these roaches would be the same. The German roach is the most common of the smaller roaches and the most difficult to control. You find these roaches in places that have water or food such as kitchens and bathrooms. These roaches commonly live behind and under sinks, stoves, and refrigerators. In commercial kitchens, they can be found in floor drains. They live in dark places and are nocturnal. It is very common to spot these roaches when you enter a kitchen or bathroom and turn on the light. These small, golden brown roaches will be seen scampering along the counters.

These roaches do not forage from the outside but travel from one apartment/ suite unit to the adjoining unit. They are brought inside or hitchhike in items such as luggage, boxes and grocery products. German roaches live and breed inside; they can live all season long since they are in a warm, comfortable environment. German roaches can be brought in via luggage, furniture, handbags, or boxes from an infested location. During the warmer months, they can move from building to building. In commercial settings, they can move from one connecting unit to the next thru drop ceilings and common plumbing and electrical elements.

Carrying bacteria that is transmitted to humans, German cockroaches, and Brown-banded cockroaches are health hazards. The primary diseases are gastroenteritis including food poisoning, dysentery, and diarrhea. Asthma and allergies may be triggered by the German roaches' feces, body parts, or salvia that are circling in the air. Children are particularly affected by these hazards.

Identifying the presence of German or Brown-Banded roaches is essential for proper control measures. They breed inside and contaminate their living environments while most larger adult cockroaches do not reproduce inside. The most common larger roaches breed outside, and target treatment areas would be different.

German roaches and Brown-Banded roaches are primarily treated using roach baits and insect growth regulators. Other types of roaches such as the larger American roach are treated using insecticide concentrates sprayed outside and entry points to your house.

Using Roach baits and using growth regulators are kets to getting rid of these roaches. We have both roach baits and insect growth regulators (IGRs) combined in kits for greater savings. Click Here: German Roach Treatments

If you need help identifying the type of cockroach, call us at 1-800-476-3368, and we can explain the treatment options. You can also place sticky traps such as Victor Pheromone Traps #327RPT on the kitchen counters at night to catch them and take a picture. Send email with the picture attachment and we will be glad to help you with identification. Refer to this Roach Treatment Chart, for a quick glance.

Large adult roaches include the American roach , Australian, Smoky Brown Oriental Roaches and Woods Roaches. The most common of the larger sized roach is the American roach. The American roach is second only to the German cockroach in abundance.

The American roach is reddish brown and is about 1.5 " or longer. Many people refer to these types of roaches as water bugs or palmetto bugs. These larger sized roaches are not known to spread disease as compared to the German roach. All the treatment options are similar for the larger roaches.

The American roaches are common in warmer climates or during the warmer spring, summer and fall months. They mostly live and breed outside and wander inside for water and food. They are often found inside after extreme weather conditions, like heavy rain or drought conditions. They mainly live outside in organic, mulch material. They will also be found in basements, woodpiles, attics, hollow trees, under roof shingles, and in attics. They are common in steam tunnels in the northern states in the USA. Most of the time, they breed outside. However, if conditions are right, they will reproduce inside. For example, you may find an American roach population behind a wall that has had a water leak causing a moist environment.

Since American roaches move from sewers into homes or commercial establishments, they can be a health concern. They carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites on their bodies which lead to dysentery, diarrhea, and salmonella. These health concern are not at the same magnitude of the health concern from German roaches since most of the time they live and breed outside.

Spraying a residual insecticide and using granular baits are best options for preventing and getting rid of these larger types of roaches. This type of roach is easier to treat than the smaller type of roach like the German roach. Certain roaches gain resistance over time to pesticides.We stay current with the best treatment options available on the market. Click Here: American Roach Treatments.

Sanitation and exclusion techniques are important tools in your roach control program. Roaches need food, water and a safe place to harbor. As much as possible eliminate the food, water, and harbor sources as you choose and apply your roach control treatment plan.

German and Brown-Banded Roaches

For the German roach type, it is critical to clean your kitchen and bathrooms while beginning a roach baiting program. This cleaning includes some deep cleaning in both the kitchen and bathrooms. Pay attention to crumbs and grease in the kitchen and unclean tubs, showers, bathroom countertops in the bathrooms. If you do not clean well, it will be more difficult to get rid of these types of roaches.

American Roaches and Other Larger Roaches

For the American type and larger roaches, it will be helpful to remove any harborage area outside and seal cracks and crevices that they may be entering. Eliminate food sources and block entry points is the first line of defense to preventing these types of roaches in your home.

Pictured are the Brown-banded , American , German , and Oriental egg capsules.

If possible, inspect at night, since roaches are usually nocturnal. If you see German cockroaches during the daytime, it is an indicator of a significant infestation. When there is a musty type of smell, it indicates a roach infestation.

Inspection will help you identify the kind of roach that you have. Look for fecal droppings and egg cases. The smaller German and Brown-Banded cockroaches will leave fecal material that looks like black pepper. It is essential to remove these droppings as soon as possible because they can cause health problems such as asthma. Use a vacuum to pull up these droppings.

Picture from Univ. of Mn Extension

The smaller German and Brown-Banded roaches will leave fecal material that looks like black pepper.

It is important to remove these droppings as soon as possible because they can cause health problems such as asthma.Use a vacuum to pull up these droppings after inspection.

When inspecting for German cockroaches, it is important to be thorough during an inspection. Apply the suggested roach baits, insect growth regulators or insecticides as close to their active runs and harborages as possible.

Places to Inspect:

American Roach FecesThe larger roach, like the American roach leave cylinder shape droppings with ridges that is brown or black. If it is a small cylinder shape without the ridge, it may be mice droppings.

Places to Inspect:

Invict Gold Cockroach Bait Gel- InVict Gold Cockroach Gel is formulated for rapid control of roaches. In fact, it starts working in about 20 minutes. The bait matrix in Invict Roach Bait contains 11 food attractants (without the top eight food allergens) to combat bait aversion and maximize roach control. Put pea size drops of Invict Gold Roach Bait wherever you see their fecal material (looks like pepper). Place about 10 to 20 spots per 100 square feet. Place out a higher number of drops when the roaches are in inaccessible areas like wall voids or if the infestation heavy. Use the higher number of spots when infestations are heavy and/or when roaches are living primarily in wall voids or other inaccessible areas. Repeat in 1-2 weeks. We highly recommend combining Invict Roach Bait with an IGR (Insect Growth Regulator) like Tekko Pro IGR (See our roach kits that combine both products for reduced savings.)

Ultimate German Roach Kit

This kit is not only designed to completely get rid of roaches, but also gets rid of allergens that German roaches leave behind. It inludes Invict Roach Bait Gel to kill the adult roaches, Tekko Pro IGR to stop the growth, Invade Bio Zap for allergens and a quart spray bottle to mix the Tekko Pro IGR. The Invade Bio Zap with a citrus odor has microbial, natural probiotic liquid to eat away organic odors and sanitizes the area..

Vendetta Roach Bait Cockroach Bait Gel has both proven to be extremely effective on German Roaches. Vendetta roach bait quickly and effectively kills hard-to-kill cockroaches. Vendetta roach bait, with Abamectin B1 0.05%, attracts both bait-averse and non-averse cockroaches.

Vendetta Roach Bait-Gentrol Point Source IGR Kit

This economical kit combines the Vendetta Roach bait with Gentrol Point Source IGR combination for German Roach Control. Killing the adult population and preventing new births.

LambdaStar Ultracap 9.7 (Broad label, long lasting and odorless). It may be used inside or outside and will dry invisibly. LambdaStar Ultracap will last longer outside and adhere to the surface better due to its encapsulated technology. It will yield 20-40 gallons

Spray outside around doors, windows, pipe openings, and dryer vents. Apply also on the inside on the baseboards near the entry points. On the inside, apply around the plumbing under the sinks and washer and dryer connections. You don't have to spray all the interior baseboards, just the corners and baseboards inside the garage and basement areas.

Intice 10 Perimeter Bait

Intice 10 Perimeter Bait not only works well around the perimeter, but would also be excellent choices for crawl spaces and or attics.

Intice 10 Perimeter Bait has 10% boric acid combined with a proprietary bait matrix of both carboyhdrate and protein oils for wide acceptance by roaches.It also will kill crickets, earwigs, sowbugs, and more insects.

This bait is a NOP compliant insecticide and is considered a green solution.

American and Large Roach Kit

This kit is ideal for the larger types of roaches such as the American roach. It contains a residual insecticide (spray inside and outside), a granulated insecticide bait (as perimeter bait and may be used in crawlspace and attic areas as well), and an aerosol with its crack and crevice tip to get into small hiding areas.

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How To Get Rid of Roaches | Kill Roaches