AMERICAN COCKROACH
credit: Wizzy Brown
Description
Oval-shaped insect with leathery wings and long antennae; can be tan to reddish brown to dark brown
Infestation
When indoors, cockroaches can carry disease-causing organisms from bathrooms, garbage cans and sewers to kitchen counters and human food. Habits Generally hidden during the day in cracks and crevices; active at night; generally stay near outer perimeter of room. When cockroaches are visible during the day, the infestation is usually very large.
Least Toxic Solutions
Prevention
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Keep your home clean
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Clean up spilled food and drinks immediately
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Do not leave dirty dishes, food, or pet food out overnight
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Sweep and vacuum often
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Put garbage in plastic bags and take outside several times a week
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Rinse recyclable items and recycling bins often
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Empty refrigerator drip pans regularly
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Store food and pet food in containers with tight-fitting lids
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Repair plumbing leaks
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Prevent pests from entering the home by placing diatomaceous earth (DE) in openings around pipes, windows and doors and then seal cracks with caulk or expanding foam
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Trim trees that overhang or touch the roof
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Clean gutters regularly
Solutions
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Identify hiding places by placing non-toxic sticky traps along walls near food and water sources
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Use only products labeled for the location and pest to be treated
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Try roach baits in child-proof, plastic stations first – they are safe, easy to use and effective
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Use baits with fipronil, boric acid or hydramethylnon insecticidal gel baits in applicator tubes are also easy to use and very effective
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Be patient – baits may take several days to get results
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If you must use dusts or sprays, do not apply near baits – it might contaminate the bait
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Apply dusts or sprays to baseboards, cracks & crevices, openings around water pipes, and in wall voids
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If roaches remain a problem, hire a professional pest control service
Source:
http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Watershed/growgreen/Cockroaches.pdf
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Content and copyright permission generously granted by:
Austin Grow Green: www.growgreen.org, who works in close association with:
Texas AgriLife Extension Service: http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu
Marjory Wildcraft is an Expedition Leader and Bioneer Blogger with The [Grow] Network, which is an online community that recognizes the wisdom of “homegrown food on every table.” Marjory has been featured as an expert on sustainable living by National Geographic, she is a speaker at Mother Earth News fairs, and is a returning guest on Coast to Coast AM. She is an author of several books, but is best known for her “Grow Your Own Groceries” video series, which is used by more than 300,000 homesteaders, survivalists, universities, and missionary organizations around the world.
