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Cockroach
Baits
- New
baits are expensive but very effective -
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Summary: New cockroach baits
are made for large infestations in apartment
buildings, food handling facilities, commercial
buildings and/or other situations where sanitation
and water sources can not be controlled. Baits
combine a highly
attractive food with a low
toxicity insecticide.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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Use
baits instead of sprays for roaches
Sometimes
sanitation and water source elimination alone
are not enough to control a stubborn cockroach
infestation and you have to bring out the "big
guns". In this case the big guns are baits
not sprays. Sprays tend to disperse roaches because
the insects can detect and avoid low concentrations
of insecticide residue. Baits on the other hand are
attractive to roaches and can be formulated in such
a way that one bait-fed roach can contaminate the
"harborage" (see What
are Cockroaches?) thus disrupting the entire
infestation.
Inexpensive
baits that you can find in grocery stores are
somewhat effective for light infestations but for
difficult infestations in apartment buildings
or commercial buildings you'll need the same
baits that professional exterminators use.
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German
cockroach, about 1/2" long, modified
from R. E. Snodgrass and Wikipedia.
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How
roach baits work
Baits
are nothing more than an attractive food plus a small
amount of slow-acting insecticide. Roaches find the
bait, feed, and in the process contaminate themselves
with insecticide. They then carry some of the
insecticide back to their harborage area and
contaminate other roaches. In time enough insecticide
is carried back to kill the entire infestation.
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Professional-quality
baits for DIYers
Most
pro-level baits come in a tube. Some use a plunger to
dispense the bait while others are just squeezed out.
Be sure to follow the instructions carefully because
every product is used differently. All baits are
available here (DoMyOwn.com, our affiliate) where
you can also get copies of the current product labels.
Any
of the gel, paste or dry flowable baits should give
excellent control if used correctly. If quicker
knock-down is needed these can be combined with a
"crack and crevice" treatment with conventional
insecticides but be careful not to contaminate
surfaces with insecticide.
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Water
resistant baits for outdoor use
Most
baits are formulated to be used indoors where
it is dry. However, in warm, humid climates such as
the southeastern US cockroach baiting is frequently
deployed outdoors around the foundation of
homes and buildings. You'll need a weather-resistant
bait for this application. Niban granular bait
can be used outdoors for a variety of pests including
cockroaches.
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Using
roach baits correctly
It
makes no sense to use these relatively expensive
products incorrectly. If you keep in mind the
following suggestions the baits will work better and
in the long run and you'll use less of them. Start by
eliminating sources of food and water. Don't
place baits on surfaces where pesticides have been
applied because the residue may interfere with bait
acceptance. Finally, place baits exactly as directed
by product instructions and replace as
necessary.
Related Articles
How
to Control Cockroach Infestations
Tips
For Selecting a Pest Contol Company
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