Not much freaks people out more than seeing cockroaches scurry across a dinner plate or table. They are a very persistent pest to say the least. At Jelco Pest Solutions, we service Joplin and the surrounding areas, including Southeast Kansas. We have built a reputation in roach control for exterminating roaches, especially the German Cockroach. I’ve yet to see a magic bullet for killing roaches in one treatment for infestations that have been growing for a period of time.

 Where do roaches like to hide?: where don’t they(chuckle)

*small, dark warm places* behind outlet covers* in and around electrical devices* the list is almost endless. Common areas include Kitchens* Bathrooms* Basements* Garages* Crawlspaces* Utility rooms* Behind appliances* and of course inside cabinets.   Because pests often stay hidden, infestations may grow before they realize there is a problem.

Beginning with our inspection, we will look for and flush the roaches from the areas we suspect to be harborages. In severe cases, vacuuming may be necessary to remove large numbers in the fight. We always use an IGR (insect growth regulator) along with our special blend of insecticides and bait(s) to control the roaches. All of which are professional grade and applied as the label directs. Making it safe for your families.

With roach control, depending on the severity of your infestation, it can literally takes months to rid them completely. Gravid or egg carrying females can hide 6 ootheca (egg case) in a year with around 35 to 50 offspring in each one, start doing the numbers on that and you can see that more roaches can stack up pretty darn quick.

The German Cockroach is also well known for becoming resistant to certain chemicals making roach control more difficult. Which is why we rotate our main insecticides 3-4 times a year. We also use the best bait matrix made today, and rotate them twice a year. We can take severe……I mean BAD roach infestations, and with a little help from you, extinguish the problem in as few as 3-4 months, even less sometimes.

What can you do? You ask. First, get professional help, there is a lot of materials out there you can buy that will kill them. But it takes more than that, knowledge, experience, and some schooling helps. The things you can do on your own, kill every one roach you can, that could mean 50 less down the road. Next you can caulk each and every gap that is big enough to help in any roach control methods. 

Don’t worry about large gaps, most cockroaches, like to be touching 2 surfaces when possible a process called thigmotaxis, but those gaps that are just big enough for a credit card to slip through to about 1/4 of an inch…..fill them. Also keep plates and dishes as clean as possible, rinsed, if not washed. Don’t leave food laying around, even pet food. Put as much opened food in plastic containers as you can, sealed of course. Fix water leaks if you have any. Also wiping down the countertops with “bleach wipes” every night work well to keep roach traveling down.

Much of this cannot be done overnight or even before we start a roach treatment but, as we go along, every little bit goes a long way. You will start seeing roaches that look messed up, crinkled wings (yes, they have wings) unusual coloring (whitish) this is the growth regulators doing their job, messing with their molting process. Cockroaches can come into your home from visitors, grocery bags, cardboard boxes or any number of ways, but again, sanitation is key to gaining roach control from your life, home or business. Roach control in Joplin, Webb City, Carthage, Neosho and SE Kansas including Galena, Baxter Springs and Columbus. If you have any roach or cockroach questions or concerns, Call Jelco Pest Solutions, LLC