Pest Management Professional, December 2012

tips tricks COCKROACHES Environmental Science a Division of Bayer CropScience LP By Joe Barile Technical Services Support While bed bugs stink bugs and mosquitoes stole the headlines this year most pest management professionals PMPs agree cockroaches remain a constant pest threat Aging infrastructure stressed sanitation budgets and moderate climates are creating environments conducive for cockroaches in residential and commercial accounts nationwide PMPs should review and update their cockroach management skills routinely and be sure all technicians novice and experienced are trained for treatment techniques and just as important communication skills The industry is challenged constantly to provide value to customers that will encourage them to continue purchasing pest control services One significant step maintaining cockroach management skills is sharpening inspection and reporting techniques When battling cockroaches one important contribution a pest control service provides is the constant diagnostic efforts to determine when and where conditions conducive to cockroach infestation exist Floor level sanitation structural faults and storage practices are a few of the conditions that must be monitored continually to provide as few resources to cockroaches as possible Using plenty of sticky traps is always a smart tactic To read more of Environmental Sciences cockroach tips visit mypmp net category web exclusives tips and tricks Central Life Sciences By Doug VanGundy Senior Director Research and Development Cockroaches are one of the most common insect pests in residential and commercial accounts There are several cockroach species that can impact your accounts so knowing the different species and their habits is important Perhaps the most common species is the German cockroach Blattella germanica These cockroaches contaminate food sources easily by transferring pathogens from one place to another In multifamily dwellings cockroach populations can build quickly and spill over into neighboring apartments The following tips can help keep cockroaches at bay Sanitation is paramount Keep a tight lid on trash cans and take the garbage out every day Cockroaches are most commonly found in the kitchens and cafeterias of schools and office buildings Wipe down counters tables and stovetops after preparing or serving food Proper food storage is essential so throw out spoiled or contaminated foods in outside bins and prevent dishes from piling up Cockroaches love to hide in cardboard Remove boxes shortly after deliveries To read more of Central Life Sciences cockroach tips visit mypmp net category web exclusives tips and tricks Rockwell Labs Ltd By Dr Cisse Spragins Founder CEO If one thing is known about roaches its they shouldnt be underestimated While gel baits have seemed miraculous at times particularly when they were first introduced cockroaches have adapted quickly and manufacturers have had to work hard adapting to them When dealing with a highly persistent species with a rapid reproduction rate resistance is likely to build up whether its in the form of chemical resistance or bait aversion not eating baits Rockwell has worked hard to offer multiple bait formulas based on unique food ingredients to help prevent and address problems To avoid potential issues at a minimum two gel baits should be rotated When selecting choices for rotation its wise to choose ones with different actives as well as different food ingredients For best results other control methods should be implemented There are granular baits labeled for roaches which provide difference in bait form and food ingredients But there are many other methods including repellent and nonrepellent sprays and dusts nonrepellent dusts containing boric acid or silica seem to work best Because the cockroach is a sanitation pest this aspect shouldnt be overlooked particularly in commercial kitchens Bio sanitation products will provide the best results Physical methods such as vacuuming and mass trapping also are available And lastly dont forget monitoring Monitoring which is critical for providing an early warning if control methods are failing Tamper and smush resistant stations are available for commercial and sensitive environments FMC Professional Solutions By Brian Mount Pest Product Development Lead Vile Disgusting Repulsive These harsh words are used to describe one of Americas most reviled pests cockroaches Its often said that in the event of nuclear war cockroaches would be the sole survivors One of the most common and persistent species is the German cockroach Did you know the following about Blattella germanica Females produce 25 to 45 eggs every three to four weeks Each German cockroach can live as long as a year They have wings but cant sustain flight Theyre smaller than many species so they can hide easily in small cracks and crevices to evade humans They prefer warm moist environments Immature cockroaches can live off excretions and molts from adult cockroaches remaining hidden from most surface treatments Classified as scavengers they eat starch sugary foods grease and meats If theres a food shortage they ingest household items such as soap glue and toothpaste They can even turn cannibalistic chewing on anothers wings and legs To read more of FMCs cockroach tips visit mypmp net category web exclusives tips and tricks 66 December 2012 Pest Management Professional www mypmp net