There are several species of large roaches
that are most often found outdoors but can invade your home and
become a major pest. The large roaches most often found in homes
include the American
Cockroach, Brownbanded
Cockroach, Smoky
Brown Roach, Oriental
Roaches, Surinam Roach. Asian Cockroaches are not considered large roaches
but are included in this group because they are outdoor cockroaches that
sometimes invade our homes. Elimination of Asian roaches is
discussed in the Asian
Cockroach article.
The roaches listed in this group breed in any type of mulch (pine straw, bark,
leaves), dead trees, wood piles or other organic material. Their
harborage can also include sewers, landscape timbers, basements,
driveway walls and attics.
To exterminate large roaches, use the following control
methods:
Outside Spraying: Using a good residual spray
containing Cypermethrin such as
Cynoff or Demon
WP, spray a six foot swath all the way around the house and one
foot up the foundation wall. You should also apply the pesticide to
entry points such as windows, doors, plumbing, vents and weep holes.
Spraying harborage areas such as rain gutters, hollow trees, mulch, tool
sheds and retainer walls will complete your outdoor spraying.
Inside Spraying: Spray the inside where you have seen
the roaches, paying special attention to areas where there is water.
This includes areas around, behind and underneath the refrigerator and
freezer, around air conditioners, behind dishwashers; you should also
spray the garage, laundry room and all plumbing lines that can be
reached in kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms. Basements should
also be treated because they usually provide cooler, out of the way
environments that roaches and crickets often prefer.
Dusting: Dusts enable you to apply products in areas
where insects are most likely to hide but where pets and
humans are least likely to come in contact. Using Delta
Dust in voids where roaches may hide or travel is an excellent
pest management tool, killing many pests in the areas where spraying is
difficult or hard to reach. Power dusting
attics and/or crawlspaces with Delta Dust
provides control for up to two years.
Baiting: In sensitive areas where you prefer to avoid
the use of contact pesticides, use a professional bait such as Niban
FG to eliminate roaches. Other baits available are Baygon
Bait and Maxforce.
Baygon Bait is one of the best granular baits available for controlling
crickets and large roaches.