Cockroaches are the oldest surviving insects on the planet. India alone is home to about 30 different types of cockroaches. Some of the common roach species we find in North India include the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis), and Brown Banded cockroach.
For as long as they’ve been around, cockroaches have been notorious for being extremely difficult to get rid of indoors. Studies have even found that a cockroach can live without its head for weeks. But aside from being a nuisance and frightening customers, there are more harmful reasons why cockroach control is a necessity when you first spot the signs of an infestation in your business. Roaches carry disease-causing microorganisms on their bodies that can contaminate surfaces and food products.
Cockroaches are also a major concern due to the fact they produce several very potent allergens that have been linked to the development of asthma. In fact, 6% of the Indian population is said to be allergic to cockroaches. Fortunately, research has proven that good cockroach prevention and control can reduce the level of those allergens in infested buildings.
There are some simple ways you can identify a possible cockroach infestation, which could require professional treatment.
Roach droppings – cockroaches leave a dust of black droppings less than 1mm wide and of varying lengths.
Smear marks – check for marks on horizontal surfaces and at wall-floor junctions where cockroaches are active. If water is abundant, cockroaches will produce brown and irregular shaped smear marks.
Shed skin – look for this evidence in locations you suspect they are sheltering. Cockroaches shed ‘cast nymphal’ skins 5-8 times as they mature to adults.
Damage – look for unusual signs of damage, not just on food packaging. Cockroaches will attack organic goods including leather and books.
Unusual odor – an established cockroach infestation produces a lingering and unpleasant musty smell that taints items with which they come in contact.
Live cockroaches in bathrooms or kitchen areas – German cockroaches need warmth and humidity and can be found around bathrooms and kitchen areas. They are also good climbers, scaling smooth surfaces like glass & polished metal with ease, due to sticky pads on their feet. You might see them scatter when you turn on the light in the kitchen.
Sanitation is a critical component for managing many of our common pest concerns, but it is especially important for cockroach control to be successful. Good sanitation will help to eliminate food, water, and shelter: the 3 basic necessities for cockroaches. Good sanitation stresses the cockroaches and can alter their normal behavior, making them easier targets for our control efforts.
For example, when stressed and starved, the German cockroach (Blatella germanica) will search more actively for food. In that case, the stressed cockroach will not only be more susceptible to the actions of the insecticide, but its increased foraging for food will make it more likely to bump into a bait placement or residual insecticide on a surface.
Grease and other typical forms of buildup in the kitchens of restaurants can also dramatically reduce the amount of time that a residual spray application is effective. Good sanitation also includes exclusion, or “roach-proofing”, such as sealing cracks and crevices. This can reduce or eliminate potential hiding spots as well as invasion by roaches that are living outside the business.
In addition to practicing good sanitation, here are a few more steps you can take to prevent cockroaches:
Eliminate food sources – store dry foods in tightly sealed containers or in sealed plastic bags and do not leave food sitting out on counters. Do not leave liquids in sinks or buckets.
Clear all waste food and liquid spillage – clean up food debris from food preparation areas, under sinks and appliances. Keep all garbage or compost in sealed bins and empty them on a daily basis.
Rinse cans, bottles and plastics – this should be done prior to putting them in recycling bins.
De-clutter – remove old stacks of newspapers and magazines, unused cardboard boxes and all other forms of clutter from the floor or bottom of cupboards. Cockroaches release an aggregation pheromone in their droppings telling others they have found a safe harborage.
Varnish or paint wood shelves – this seals them against damage. They should also be wiped clean regularly.
Seal entry points – to deny access to cockroaches. Key risks are gaps around pipes, drains and common walls with neighboring properties. Even tiny cracks around skirting boards and behind electrical sockets should be plugged to reduce potential hiding areas.