[Annual Cockroach Control Issue] Understanding & Controlling the German Cockroach

For anyone on the outskirts of the pest management community, to hear that cockroaches are “amazing” may sound a bit weird, to say the least. But, for PMPs, there should be some level of respect for this group — and you ought to have a good understanding of what makes them truly “amazing,” as well.

The scientific classification of the cockroach begins under the kingdom of Animalia, phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, and order Blattodea. This order is as diverse as all other groups of insects or any other group of living organisms; with more than 4,000 species having been discovered, identified and named, it’s astounding to think that this may only be the tip of the iceberg.

Most recently, there has been an addition to this diverse group: the termite. That may come as a surprise, but yes — the termite has been scientifically proven to be a cockroach.

Will this bit of information really gain the cockroaches of the world any more admiration, even throughout the pest control industry? Maybe not — but the truth of the matter is that cockroaches are amazing in their abilities to adapt and overcome various obstacles that threaten the survival of their species. While many people have no concern to classify or identify cockroach species, as PMPs, we have to take the time to properly identify any species accused of being a household pest.

With so many species of cockroach, we must recognize the difference between domestic pest species and outdoor species that occasionally enter into human dwellings. Southern states with year-round warm temperatures, for instance, will most likely never encounter a larger variety of occasional invading species of cockroaches, but every region deals with three basic culprits: American, Oriental (sometimes known as the water bug), and the infamous German.
 

Us vs. Them?

Treatments for both the American and Oriental cockroach have not evolved much over the years. The key to controlling both of these pests is rooted in understanding their needs and habitats. American cockroaches, which are believed to have originated in western Africa, like both dry and humid environments. The Oriental cockroach, on the other hand, can usually be found in sewer drains or extremely moist, damp and cool basements or crawlspaces (hence the “water bug” moniker). When you find a very large population of either species, it’s an indication that the problem has existed for a while.

The German cockroach’s “infamous” tag is well-earned. In a 2009 blog post for Rentokil, U.K. Surveyor Barry Phillips wrote, “with many century-long feuds and battles between countries, (naming) this cockroach has been used as an inadvertent insult to a sworn enemy.” So while its name, Blattella germanica, was derived in 1767 by the Swiss scientist Carl Linnaeus, Germans have called it a Russian cockroach, and Russians have referred to it as a Polish cockroach. Regardless, the pests’ unrelenting ability to invade a human dwelling has spoiled the reputation of all roach species by any name.

And there could be a reason that the name wars for this particular species have played out as they have. Throughout the years, this species has evolved to thrive almost exclusively within human structures. Why? We as human beings have always made the life of the German cockroach rather comfortable. Every living creature needs three things: food, water and shelter. Sure — if we didn’t exist, I’m more than convinced that the German cockroach would adapt to survive and thrive. Nevertheless, we must acknowledge that they absolutely love living with us.
 

Proper Protocol.

Every cockroach call I respond to begins with an in-depth inspection to identify the actual species. Next, I need to document all contributing factors — leaking pipes, faulty equipment and overall living conditions. The sanitation practices of the occupants will surely dictate the course of action needed to suppress or eliminate the population. Therefore, to design a treatment protocol without a housekeeping or sanitation variable can spell failure as an inevitable result in spite of all your hard work and efforts.

My initial cockroach treatment is a two-day process. The first day consists of using a clear caulk to seal up unnecessary voids, cracks and crevices. Why waste valuable dusts, sprays and baits in these areas when you can bury the pests alive? Once all possible seals have been made, the next step is cleaning and vacuuming. Just as this insect has evolved to resist pesticides in many cases, so has my treatment protocol. Ancient methods dictated filling your compressed air sprayer with your best chemical solution and leaving no dry spots, followed by the application of a contact killing agent.

I have alleviated the responsibility of cleaning from my customer and have included sanitation as a part of my service program. Many customers become overwhelmed when you begin listing everything needed from them to assist you in eradicating the problem. But if you have included a cost for this type of service, this chore then becomes a checklist for them to revisit to ensure you have not forgotten anything.

Sanitation is the foundation of Integrated Pest Management, and has substantial value. Cleaning fecal pellets from cabinet hinges and vacuuming egg capsules, caste skins and dead bodies is worth 100 times its weight in gold to a grossed-out customer. When you pull out a stove and clean its sides and back-side to eliminate hidden food sources, your customer sees you as the true professional you really are. Pulling out the refrigerator and cleaning behind and around it — exposing the disconnected water line, for instance — not only adds value to your service, but it ensures success for your program by eliminating an unseen water source.

Before and after pictures will serve to document the process for customers who may be too busy, or for landlords and property managers that may be miles or states away. Yes, this procedure takes time, but rushing only promotes free retreats and dissatisfied customers. Day One of this process is time-consuming, but for those interested in solving the problem and satisfying customers, this is the route to take. Charge accordingly for your time and effort.

But Day One’s treatment is not yet complete. Once the cracks are sealed, after the cleaning is finished, it’s time for the pesticide application. Most contact killing agents are compatible with Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs), so mix the two and begin to invade known harborages and areas that could not be sealed. After all this, you should expect a population reduction of at least 50 percent.

Day Two of the treatment will incorporate monitoring of anything still crawling and the counting of dead carcasses. Now is the time to utilize all of your IPM skills and training. This information will be crucial in your report as to how effective your treatment has been, and to show evidence of reintroduction later down the road. On this second day of treatment, pipe chases, light switch and electrical outlet plates should be dusted. IGR placement discs should be positioned under sinks, the stove and the refrigerator. Monitors should also be strategically placed to avoid harm and to capture as many specimens as possible.

Once all of the preliminary work has been completed, now you can administer tiny doses of gel baits. It is very important not to expose the bait too soon after dusting to avoid contamination from drift particles. Although cockroaches are scavengers and eat from sources we may deem odd, disgusting or unappealing, they have a tendency to be very picky about baits. Therefore, to ensure the gel bait is as fresh as possible, administer tiny droplets of bait close to known or suspected harborages.

Your first follow-up visit should be within two to three weeks. While the standard may be every four weeks, to more accurately evaluate populations and gauge program effectiveness, the time frame between visits should be sooner. This frequency also discourages customers from reverting back to conducive habits and behaviors.

About the author: Damisi Bailey is with Environmental & Consumer Educators. The aim of Environmental & Consumer Educators is to educate PMPs how to resolve current pest problems and reduce the risk of future outbreaks. Environmental & Consumer Educators equips each student with strategic planning to influence adjustments in human (consumer) habits and structural modifications by having an in-depth knowledge of each animal’s biology and behaviors. Learn more www.ec-educators.com.