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Extermination Methods for Roaches

There are about 30 species of cockroaches found around human habitat of which four are commonly known as pests -- the American cockroach, the German cockroach, the Australian cockroach and the Oriental cockroach. These pests are difficult to get rid of mostly because they are extremely adaptable to any kind of environment. They are omnivorous and eat anything available. They are considered pests because of the health threat they pose to humans by contaminating food, causing asthmatic allergy, leaving foul odors in the places they inhabit and damaging books, clothes and wallpaper. They are difficult to get rid of because they are very resilient. Roaches can live up to three months without food and about one month without water. Extermination of roaches requires patience, perseverance and know-how. There are many extermination methods for roaches -- some extremely efficient.

Spraying Insecticide
- This is one of the most common extermination methods for roaches because it involves the least effort and the results are very good. The downside with this method is that it cannot be used in homes where small children or pets live. In such a case, the children and pets may have to be removed from the house during the time insecticide is sprayed to eliminate the danger of getting poisoned. It is also important that the spraying is done meticulously to cover every possible breeding place of the roaches. Unless the spraying is thorough, the roach population will bounce back. This method is good for large-scale infestation.
Traps or Baiting the Roaches
- This is a popular method especially in homes where pets and children live. The roach traps are homemade contraptions that tempt the roach to climb into it, where they are then killed. One example of such a trap is the Vaseline trap. This is very effective when you find you have a few roaches in your home. Take a tall bowl or a bottle with large mouth. Put some food at the bottom or stale beer. Apply Vaseline to the walls of the bowl or bottle. Have a helper stick that connects the floor with the mouth of the bowl or bottle so the cockroach can climb in easily. The roach tempted by the food/beer gets inside the bowl/ bottle but cannot climb back; it either get stuck until you get rid of it by killing them or drown in the beer.
Boric Acid Dusting
- Dust areas where you think roaches made their nest with boric acid. This is an extremely effective method to get rid of roaches. The borax causes fatal damage to its body leading to dehydration and death. This is an excellent method for large infestations. Beware that this powder is harmful to pets and children. Hence, if you have pets or children it is best to find another method for exterminating the roaches or remove the children and pets from the house until the task is complete.
Call Pest Control
- Very often, the best thing to do is call a professional pest control organization that would take over and ensure that your home is roach-free. This method is best when you are unable to get rid of the roaches with do-it-yourself methods and/or when you suspect that there are large colonies of roaches hiding in your home. These pest control organizations use insecticides and equipment that individuals cannot access. Also, since they are trained professional on pest control, they know exactly what to do, where and how to do it, so your home will be roach-free after the extermination exercise.

Nature