Cockroaches are very tenacious creatures that are unpretentious to their living conditions. However, they are comfortable living next to a human home, but even better - inside. Uninvited guests love the comfort of cockroaches - warm, humid places with food present.
Variety of anti-cockroach products
Cockroaches are not an indicator of uncleanliness in the house. They can be brought from another home, a trip, even by mail along with a parcel. But most often they “come” themselves from the basement, entrance, from neighbors, or appear with new things in the house.
It is impossible to maintain perfect cleanliness every day, and cockroaches will quickly find crumbs and water on the floor. Physiology allows them to survive for several weeks without food, or to feed on paper, leather, wood or even fabric.
They can pretend to be dead. If you find a cockroach that is not showing signs of life, do not rush to throw it in the trash. You should flush it down the toilet to get rid of the parasite for sure.
What types of cockroaches are there?
There are several thousand species of longhorned beetles in the world. In apartments in our country you can find two types: the most common is red (Prussian) and black (kitchen).
Cockroaches living in apartments and houses: Prusak and black
The Prusak has a size of 1.3 - 1.5 cm and can go without food for up to 40 days. The kitchen one is twice as large, up to 3 cm in length and can live without food for up to 70 days.
Everyone knows about their resistance to unsuitable living conditions. And the fact that they can survive a nuclear explosion is not a myth. Therefore, some kind of hunger is not a barrier for them.
Reasons for appearance
Red-colored insects live in dark places: under the chest of drawers, behind the back wall of the refrigerator, under the wallpaper, in the ceilings. The main condition for the life of a cockroach is the availability of food. Therefore, they prefer warm, dirty rooms containing the remains of uneaten food.
If there is no water nearby, the pests may die. Insects disappear at sub-zero temperatures, but are resistant to radiation.
The following reasons for the appearance of unwanted guests should be considered:
- after sanitizing with neighbors;
- due to import from a store or office.
Having entered a home, the pest is capable of destroying any objects not made of synthetics. Most often, his diet consists of: food products, bread, but he can enjoy fabrics, leather goods, books, soap, leather shoes, and toilet paper. Some parasites chew through insulating wires, causing short circuits.
How dangerous are they?
Cockroaches do not bite and are generally afraid of people. There is no visible harm, but the dirt they bring will not leave you in good health. They examine the garbage in search of food, the toilet in search of water, then they carry a bunch of different bacteria around the apartment on their paws, leaving them on children's toys, on furniture and, worst of all, on the table and cutlery.
For some people, the activity of insects may not have any effect, while others may be seriously poisoned. Bacteria are different, each body reacts to them individually, so you should not let cockroaches multiply and run wherever they please.
It is better to start baiting them in the first days, as soon as you notice them. Cockroaches live for approximately 6–8 months, and during this time the female can lay 320 eggs. The more of them there are, the harder it is to get rid of the brood later.
Features of insects
Despite their differences in appearance, insects share six common characteristics.
- Smell. They do not tolerate strong odors.
- Endurance. They can go up to ten days without water and up to 45 days without food.
- Sensitivity to climate. Air temperatures above 50°C and below 5°C are detrimental to cockroaches.
- Nutrition. They eat any leftover human food. In conditions of food shortages, they can feed on paper, soap and particles of human skin.
- Lack of mutual assistance. In cockroach colonies there are no mechanisms by which other individuals can be warned of danger.
- Habitats. Most individuals live in the kitchen and bathroom, where there is access to food and water.
How to find a nest of cockroaches in an apartment
Cockroaches themselves are timid creatures; they try to stay away from human eyes and direct rays of light. Strong lighting directly signals them about danger, so they try to stay in the shade and live in dark, damp, cluttered places.
There is clearly no fight against cockroaches
To find out if there are cockroaches in the house, go into the kitchen or bathroom in the middle of the night. If there are insects, at least one will still catch your eye. And where there is one, there is a whole colony. You can also find the products of their vital activity - feces, they look like dark brown small spots. They can be seen in different drawers, at the joints of doors, under the sink. When a colony of cockroaches grows, a specific unpleasant odor appears in the apartment.
Since cockroaches need darkness, warmth, water and food, the best places to hide are the bathroom, toilet and, of course, the kitchen. In the kitchen, they most often live under the sink, refrigerator, inside kitchen furniture and some electrical appliances.
Their flattened body shape allows them to inhabit cracks in baseboards, floors, behind hanging cabinets, in ventilation, near pipes, under bathtubs and even under wallpaper. If the house is old, then there will be several times more cracks and other defects suitable for living parasites.
Since the first time after the “housewarming”, cockroaches are very careful, you need to carefully inspect every corner (not skipping the bedroom, the passer-by) for the presence of them or traces of their vital activity.
To kill cockroaches in hard-to-reach areas, you can use a steam generator.
Cockroaches don't like cleanliness
Prussians (red cockroaches) are living creatures, they need to eat something. If there is something to eat in the kitchen, they will always find ways to get to their food base. Before starting the next military operations against them, you need to assess the sanitary condition of the room where food is prepared.
- There should be no leftover food, bread crumbs, or containers of liquid left in the kitchen overnight. All products should be placed out of reach of insects or packaged in plastic bags.
- Don't forget about the trash can. If the family does not have a rule to take out the garbage in the evening, then the bag of garbage should be tightly tied.
- Floors must be kept properly clean. The presence of crumbs on the surface is unacceptable.
A clean kitchen will not be attractive to Prussians; there will be fewer of them. But, of course, they will not disappear completely. However, now the fight against these insects will be more successful.
Prussians cannot stand the smell of ammonia. If you add a few drops to a bucket of water and wash the floor or wipe the places that the described pests especially love, then these insects will leave you for a while
You can also learn how to get rid of meal moths.
Types of poison
If you have to deal with such nasty pests as cockroaches, then your war may be long. It is important to take into account the fact that they multiply very quickly and, in search of a better life, spread not only throughout the apartment, but throughout the entire residential complex!
Before poisoning cockroaches, you need to talk with your neighbors about their presence in other apartments. If you poison only in your apartment, then later your neighbors’ cockroaches will crawl to you. Therefore, everyone needs to start poisoning parasites at the same time.
To combat small pests there are many different means, both professional and inexpensive folk. They may be in the form:
- gel;
- pastes;
- spray;
- powder;
- liquid product;
- tablets;
- microencapsulated products;
- chalk.
Each of the means is good in its own way. We will discuss all their advantages and disadvantages below, but it is important not to forget that cockroaches reproduce quickly and adapt to harmful substances.
Don't let your guard down - cockroaches may return
After getting rid of red cockroaches, do not rush to celebrate your victory. Make sure they don't sneak in again. We recommend learning about the types of domestic cockroaches.
To do this, cover the ventilation grilles in the apartment with a mesh with small cells through which insects cannot penetrate. Disinfect the room periodically and be sure to keep the apartment clean, especially in areas where you cook, dine, and feed your pets.
Household products
There are many household products that are inexpensive but still effective. Before treating surfaces, it is important to fix the taps, remove food and wipe all surfaces dry at night, since water is the main source of life for any living beings.
Let's look at popular cockroach repellents and some of their varieties.
Pastes
Paste is one of the best options of all cockroach repellents. It is not addictive to parasites and works 100% percent. The result can be seen in the first days, and the paste will do all the work in 2 weeks. It needs to be applied precisely near the cockroaches’ habitat. Most of all such products contain chlorpyrifos - this is an active substance that belongs to toxicity class 4. A good option is Globol paste.
Global paste is a proven effective remedy for cockroaches, and also very economical
Gels
Gel against cockroaches is the most effective in terms of time, which is why it is very popular. It can handle an entire colony in 7-14 days, which is a very short time considering the fact that it sometimes takes months. Available in special syringes, and more often in tubes. Its soft consistency, more liquid than that of a paste, and a thin tube attachment allow you to apply poison even into the most inaccessible crevices. The following gels have proven their effectiveness:
- "Raptor" - kills the nervous system of the pest. When consumed, the cockroach remains paralyzed and quickly dies.
- “Dokhlos” acts quickly and prevents a new generation from appearing. Belong to toxicity class 1 or 2.
- “Killer” - it will not destroy an entire colony, but one tube is enough to treat a room of up to 25 square meters. m.
- “Sturm” and “Fas” - contain 2 active ingredients (two different insecticides), which increase the strength of the gel on insects.
Sprays
When treating an apartment with a spray, it is advisable to wear protective clothing and a mask to prevent the occurrence of allergic reactions in the body. Children and household members should leave the premises at this time. The advantage of sprays is that they act quickly and after 24 hours you can remove dead cockroaches, carry out wet cleaning and ventilation. Works well against small and medium-sized parasite colonies. The best sprays for cockroaches are:
- "Raptor".
- "Baygon."
- "Raid".
- "Combat".
- "Gett."
Sprays to control cockroaches
Powders
Powder products have both their advantages and disadvantages. This is not the newest type of poison for cockroaches, but they are often overlooked, but in vain. They are very often used when cockroaches have just settled. Additional treatment is desirable, as parasites quickly get used to the drug. This is a completely safe cockroach repellent for pets and children. Powder is always much easier to treat hard-to-reach areas. The best powders are:
- "Tornado".
- "Clean house".
- "Clean world".
Liquid products
Treatment against parasites with such preparations is considered the most effective, since the liquid gets into almost any cracks and nooks and crannies. Since cockroaches most often hide in cracks, it will be enough to simply douse their habitats. Before choosing a liquid poison, it is important to familiarize yourself with its mechanism of action to understand whether it is suitable for your case.
- “Cucaracha” is considered a professional remedy and it is very important to study the instructions before processing. The second class of toxicity of the drug (destroys pests instantly) involves processing exclusively in protective clothing.
- "Tsifoks" is an instant cure for cockroaches. The parasites either die or leave the apartment. One big drawback among all the advantages is the duration of action, due to which you cannot stay in the apartment for the next 48 hours after use.
"Cucaracha" is a powerful remedy against cockroaches. Available not only in liquid form, but also in the form of spray and tablets
Pills
The tablets are not only an effective poison against cockroaches, but also a bait for them. Often manufacturers themselves call them lenses. It should be noted that they are quite effective and easy to use. There are tablets that are safe for both children and pets. The most popular are the following tablets:
- "Delicia" - from a German manufacturer. It kills not only adults, but also young animals, as well as eggs.
Boxing bait "Delicia" - Dupont Advion - may be hazardous to children and animals. These are traps of medium toxicity. The insect crawls into them and then dies.
- "Adamant Tab" is considered a professional remedy for cockroaches. It has a moderate degree of toxicity - it can be used independently only if the instructions are fully followed.
Microcapsules
Another type of very effective means is the strongest chemicals against cockroaches. The beauty is that after the liquid dries, it will not leave annoying insects alone. The most lethal means are:
- "Get" It is good because it acts upon direct contact with the cockroach and upon ingestion. Microcapsules remain on the legs and are transferred closer to the colony, quickly poisoning and killing all individuals.
- “Delta zone” is completely similar in its effect to “Get”. This product is odorless and completely safe for pets.
Insect repellent "Delta Zone"
Insect repellent "Lamda zone" - “Lambda-Zone” is a drug that is harmless to animals and children and is not addictive to insects. The substance itself is placed in nanotubes, and is located in the microcapsules themselves.
- “Xulat-25” is often used by professional parasite exterminators. The liquid is concentrated, you need to dilute it with water, following the instructions from the manufacturer. It is very toxic to cockroaches, but is safe for people and pets.
Crayons
This type of poison was used several generations ago. In the fight against a large colony of parasites, it is practically useless, and in comparison with more modern methods of control, the crayons are significantly inferior and losing ground. The most commonly chosen crayons are from the following manufacturers:
- "Mashenka."
- "Clean house".
Prevention
Prevention is important and not at all difficult. This is a set of daily measures that should become a habit. The table shows the main measures to keep your home clean and prevent pests.
Table - Prevention of cockroaches
| Throughout the apartment | In the kitchen | In the bathroom |
| — Mosquito nets on the windows; — mesh on the ventilation holes; — reliable seals on the entrance door and window frames; — a minimum of “dust collectors” in the interior; - a minimum of porous building materials such as polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam; - absence of cracks and crevices in the walls; — installation of traps in hard-to-reach places; — a ban on eating in any room except the kitchen; — daily dry cleaning; - daily ventilation; – wet cleaning with disinfectant or vinegar (at least once a week) | — Tight lid on the trash can; — daily garbage removal; - always clean and dry dishes; — storing food in bags, containers, in the refrigerator; - cleaning up crumbs after each meal; - regular cleaning of cabinets and refrigerators, microwaves, ovens (at least once a month) | — Insulation of the sewer riser; — timely elimination of plumbing leaks; — ensuring high-quality ventilation (natural or forced); — dry surfaces (wipe floors and plumbing dry after each bathing or washing); — regular use of disinfectants; — elimination of soap and limescale deposits; — no soggy pieces of soap; — serviceability of taps and valves |
The biggest problem is cockroach eggs, which are not affected by chemicals. Females deposit them in hidden places such as cracks in walls and tiles, under baseboards, in vents and behind furniture. To destroy them, treat the “risk zones” with hot air from a steam cleaner or hair dryer a couple of times a month. In winter, ventilate the room daily.
If you don't want to deal with cockroaches, fall in love with indoor plants. It is worth paying attention to curly geranium, which pleases the eyes of household members and repels insects. The leaves of the plant emit a pungent odor that pests cannot stand. In addition to Prussians, a bright flower will repel flies, mosquitoes and ants.
Folk remedies against cockroaches
In the case when cockroaches are replaced in small quantities, you can also resort to effective folk recipes in the fight against them. There are a large number of them, but the best home remedies are the following:
- Boric acid is a very effective substance and works quickly from the first attempts. You can make the product yourself using the following recipe: Hard-boil eggs. Grind the yolk, add boric acid. Stir. Roll the mixture into balls and spread around the apartment. The cockroaches will feel itchy and will soon leave the apartment.
- Vinegar. Many parasites do not like it. Ammonia and vinegar are often used in spray form. You need to dissolve a little liquid in water and wipe the surfaces every day.
The first steps of a successful fight
If red cockroaches or black cockroaches are suddenly found in the house, it is advisable to determine where the pests came from. The most common route of infection is from neighbors.
- A massive infestation of cockroaches in an apartment is observed in the case of insect baiting in neighboring rooms.
- Gradual infestation indicates that the house is infested and pests are spreading throughout all apartments. The floors are not particularly important, but most often everything starts from the first, or from the basement.
Finding out the cause of infestation at home is necessary to choose the right control method.
On a note!
Don't ignore the presence of parasites in your home. Whiskered insects pose a serious danger. In addition to causing a feeling of disgust, cockroaches carry various diseases. Pest excrement triggers asthma attacks. There are known cases of Prussians biting people or crawling into people's ears. Some people develop a phobia - fear of cockroaches.
Cockroach traps
Traps are often used for prevention. Small houses are placed in dark and warm corners of the house. Cockroaches, having eaten plenty of poison, return to their brothers and also infect them.
Some traps have an adhesive base inside, from which parasites can no longer escape. This method helps to get rid of a colony that is just emerging.
Top brands:
- "Raid".
- "Raptor".
- "Foresight".
- "Combat".
Where do Prussians come from?
Prussians are small flat pests that can crawl into a small gap that seems smaller than a cockroach. The body of a cockroach is very thin, so they crawl everywhere. Prussians often enter apartments through the ventilation hole; if the air vent is not covered with a mesh, be sure to install one. The next places where pests penetrate are unsealed holes in the wall near pipelines and sewers. Cockroaches can also get into your clothes and enter your home.
Ultrasonic repellers
In some cases, such devices can be the most effective means of controlling cockroaches, for example, in grocery stores and apartments. Ultrasound has a negative effect on them. The use of ultrasonic devices has its pros and cons:
Pros and cons of using electronic devices
The characteristics state that humans and large animals do not feel any effect on the body. However, low-quality devices can negatively affect the human body, causing unpleasant symptoms such as headaches and/or insomnia.
How to get rid of red Prussians forever
It is not easy to destroy domestic aggressors; insects are tenacious and can limit themselves to food and water for a long time, feeding on synthetic waste.
The following methods are used to destroy pests:
- traditional methods;
- insecticidal preparations;
- professional methods of destruction.
Industrial products against cockroaches
The disinfection service offers effective means to kill insects and also guarantees their complete disappearance. To eliminate pests, they use industrial products that are offered by SES professionals for treating cafes, shops, pizzerias, and bars. For disinfection, a gaseous substance containing glycerin is used. Spraying is carried out at a temperature of +60 ˚С.
A jet of steam envelops hard-to-reach places and cracks in ceilings. The insecticide kills adult insects and their larvae. The poisonous agent can be sprayed indoors, leaving it on surfaces where it infects new individuals.
To destroy pests, a barrier mesh is installed in sockets and ventilation grilles to repel new individuals trying to sneak in from basements or neighboring apartments.
Calling a pest control service
SES specialists can be invited to your home, appreciating the benefits of professional pest extermination:
- use of certified products that are safe for humans;
- long-term action of chemicals aimed at destroying a new generation of cockroaches;
- treatment of hard-to-reach areas indoors;
- use of group 4-5 chemicals that do not affect the health of domestic animals.
The following methods of pest control are used:
- Cold fog.
- Common chemical treatments.
- Barrier method of pest control.
The specialist recommends to the owner a method for exterminating harmful insects after inspecting the premises and places of greatest concentration of pests.
Professional products
Highly effective products include concentrated liquids, such as “Tsifoks” and “Xulat-25”. They are considered professional products and therefore must be used strictly according to the instructions. They are designed for use over large areas.
It is beneficial to contact specialists, since they can always qualitatively assess the situation and select a drug that is suitable specifically for your case.
Cockroach repellent "Tsifoks"
Liquid repellent for cockroaches Skulat-25
There are situations when, for various reasons, it is impossible to call disinfectants. In this case, you need to at least consult with them about the required drug and subsequent actions, and treat the apartment yourself.
In very difficult cases, when insects literally fall from the ceiling, you need advice from knowledgeable specialists. Professional workers know how to act correctly in such situations. After all, sometimes it may turn out that not just one family needs treatment of an apartment, but all the neighbors on the floor or in the entrance.
What do Prussians look like?
The cockroach has a small red abdomen hidden under its wings, although the insects do not fly. Its length is 15 mm, its color is heterogeneous - from light brown to yellow.
The female is different from the male. Her body is wide, equipped with mustaches that allow her to communicate with the outside world. If they are damaged, the pest dies, because it cannot exist without food, water and control contacts with other individuals. A bite from cockroaches is impossible, because they have underdeveloped jaws.
Preventive actions
Folk remedies Using
folk remedies to remove cockroaches will take a long time; patience and a large number of treatments are required. Recipes with boric acid are considered the most effective. The fastest results can be expected in a month. But folk remedies can be used as preventive measures.
- Place orange or lemon peels and bay leaves in the corners of the room, on the cabinets.
- When washing floors, add vinegar, ammonia or essential oils of geranium, mint, lavender, and chamomile to the water.
- Place a flower pot with geraniums in the kitchen.
- Sprinkle the path around the trash can, near the doorway, sink with boric acid powder or Thiuram.
- Place traps, which are small cardboard structures. You can make your own traps. The inner walls are lubricated with long-drying glue, and the bait is placed in the center.
Compliance with all steps of the correct processing algorithm is the key to quick success. Otherwise, you will have to fight cockroaches endlessly.
Professional methods for treating premises from cockroaches
The main professional methods used by SES specialists to treat premises from cockroaches are cold and hot fog. Both methods are characterized by the same operating principle:
- An SES employee prepares a working solution and pours it into the fog generator compartment;
- the device, under high pressure and at high speed, releases the insecticidal preparation into the air in the form of small drops;
- particles of the chemical solution together with the air form a fog that envelops all surfaces in the room;
- the insecticide settles on the floor, ceiling, walls, furniture, and penetrates into invisible crevices, cracks, and hard-to-reach areas.
