How do I know the German roaches are gone?
#1
04-28-19, 12:19 PM
How do I know the German roaches are gone?
Hi, all, I need your help, I'm not finding the answer after searching the site.
i have what I hope is a minor German roach infestation. I'm treating with Advion gel bait, gentrol and temprid fx for about 1 week and activity has greatly lessened. I intend to freshen the bait weekly for 90 days, the length of time the gentrol is active.
question 1- after 90 days of treatment, (or longer period of treatment if that is required), how will I know if
1) every last roach is dead and I can stop treating? OR
2) the roach population has just been greatly reduced to the point I'm not seeing them and the population will increase again once I stop treating?
Articles I read say nocturnal roaches are only seen when the population needs exceeds the available food supply. Until then many folks don't even know they have an infestation. My concern is my treatment might only reduce the population to where I don't see them, I stop treating and they increase again until I see them again. I want then 100% killed and want to know that has been done.
Question 2., assuming the current infestation is resolved, what would you suggest by way of ongoing treatment, if any, to handle any future roaches that might happen into my home? I would like any future roach to find immediate termination rather than breed until I have another issue and deal with it as an infestation.
By the way, I live in Asheville NC in a 5 year old house. I've been treating the outside foundation for 5 years with Talstar P every 2-3 months and have never seen any roaches until recently. I'm hoping that means I haven't had any roach issues prior to this one and it shouldn't be an ongoing thing.
thanks for any and all help
David
i have what I hope is a minor German roach infestation. I'm treating with Advion gel bait, gentrol and temprid fx for about 1 week and activity has greatly lessened. I intend to freshen the bait weekly for 90 days, the length of time the gentrol is active.
question 1- after 90 days of treatment, (or longer period of treatment if that is required), how will I know if
1) every last roach is dead and I can stop treating? OR
2) the roach population has just been greatly reduced to the point I'm not seeing them and the population will increase again once I stop treating?
Articles I read say nocturnal roaches are only seen when the population needs exceeds the available food supply. Until then many folks don't even know they have an infestation. My concern is my treatment might only reduce the population to where I don't see them, I stop treating and they increase again until I see them again. I want then 100% killed and want to know that has been done.
Question 2., assuming the current infestation is resolved, what would you suggest by way of ongoing treatment, if any, to handle any future roaches that might happen into my home? I would like any future roach to find immediate termination rather than breed until I have another issue and deal with it as an infestation.
By the way, I live in Asheville NC in a 5 year old house. I've been treating the outside foundation for 5 years with Talstar P every 2-3 months and have never seen any roaches until recently. I'm hoping that means I haven't had any roach issues prior to this one and it shouldn't be an ongoing thing.
thanks for any and all help
David
#2
04-28-19, 01:02 PM
No mention of an adjoining residence so I'm thinking that you're in a single detached house which minimizes re-infestation from areas that you have no control over. Very good thing, if this is the case.
Assuming that the ID of German roaches is correct, there are pheromone traps that are specific to german roaches. I used a lot of them, especially in restaurants/bars. The traps employ an aggregation pheromone that is specific to german roaches only. Roaches are drawn to these traps far better than the food based attractants. It is literally a biological urge to go to these traps. Using them strategically can help determine where a tricky infestation is harboring.
These traps are good for 90 days more or less. I would date them when placed, and update with body count when monitored. Unless they get full of roaches, I'd keep them in place for 90 days. You'll have a good history.
Temprid is a good residual insecticide, but keep it away from the bait as bait gets contaminated easily, maybe you already know this.
Not sure I agree with the article about nocturnal roaches being seen as related to food supply. If you had a large population, you'd know it. In any case, if you use the pheromone traps you will catch roaches if they are present. Also, gentrol will stimulate roaches to feed, especially the gravid (pregnant) females, which gets them out and about.
Using growth regulators (like Gentrol) and pheromones is modern day chemistry/technology at it's best.
https://www.domyown.com/roach-pherom...aps-p-257.html
Assuming that the ID of German roaches is correct, there are pheromone traps that are specific to german roaches. I used a lot of them, especially in restaurants/bars. The traps employ an aggregation pheromone that is specific to german roaches only. Roaches are drawn to these traps far better than the food based attractants. It is literally a biological urge to go to these traps. Using them strategically can help determine where a tricky infestation is harboring.
These traps are good for 90 days more or less. I would date them when placed, and update with body count when monitored. Unless they get full of roaches, I'd keep them in place for 90 days. You'll have a good history.
Temprid is a good residual insecticide, but keep it away from the bait as bait gets contaminated easily, maybe you already know this.
Not sure I agree with the article about nocturnal roaches being seen as related to food supply. If you had a large population, you'd know it. In any case, if you use the pheromone traps you will catch roaches if they are present. Also, gentrol will stimulate roaches to feed, especially the gravid (pregnant) females, which gets them out and about.
Using growth regulators (like Gentrol) and pheromones is modern day chemistry/technology at it's best.
https://www.domyown.com/roach-pherom...aps-p-257.html
#3
04-28-19, 05:39 PM
Yes, a single family detached home. The id as German roaches was made by an exterminator who put down some bait and said he'd be back in 90 days. I thought more active treatment was needed so told him I would handle it.. I added the Gentrol to the site.
I will get the pheromone traps and assume that once a week or two goes by with no new additions, the infestation is gone. I'll then put in a fresh trap and monitor it. No roaches will mean house is clean. If I see a roach, I can immediately start treatment and catch it early.
i can't thank you enough for your response. I finally feel there is a way for me to know when the infestation is resolved.
I will get the pheromone traps and assume that once a week or two goes by with no new additions, the infestation is gone. I'll then put in a fresh trap and monitor it. No roaches will mean house is clean. If I see a roach, I can immediately start treatment and catch it early.
i can't thank you enough for your response. I finally feel there is a way for me to know when the infestation is resolved.
#4
05-06-19, 08:09 AM
Circling back.... It's been 6 days since the pheromone traps arrived and were placed in the kitchen. That was last Tuesday. At that time I also put in all fresh bait and added another gentrol module. I have not sprayed with the temprid.
The population is way, way down. We were away this past weekend and when we returned we found two dead roaches, one on the floor and one under the sink. Strange thing is that in the six days the traps have been out, not one single Roach has made its way inside. So, I am thinking that either the ID of the roaches as German roaches was incorrect, the traps are not working or the population is so low or non-existent that no roaches are around.Unfortunately, whatever is happening, I am back to my original dilemma. I have no way of knowing when the current infestation will be or is completely controlled and no way to monitor in the future to make sure another infestation is not starting up. If the traps aren't catching roaches then I have no way to monitor what is happening.So, my plan is to just keep re baiting every week or two , adding another gentrol module after 90 days and continue on this way 6 months. If anyone has any better ideas or suggestions, please let me know. Again, thanks for your help.
#5
05-06-19, 02:46 PM
Reach inside the traps to insure that the glue is there and sticky enough. One time I bought a case that had no glue in them after using them for years with no problem. If the glue is satisfactory then to me that is a good sign unless it is asian roaches.
As to identification, the Asian cockroach is similar the German roaches.
https://www.domyown.com/how-to-get-r...hes-a-208.html
As to identification, the Asian cockroach is similar the German roaches.
https://www.domyown.com/how-to-get-r...hes-a-208.html
#6
05-06-19, 05:25 PM
Ok, I checked the traps- there is glue and it is very sticky.
I did a quick read up on Aisian roaches. I haven't seen any fly in my home so hoping they are German.
I'll follow my plan to treat for 3 to 6 months and leave the traps and see what happens.
Thanks again for your response and advice, they are greatly appreciated.
I did a quick read up on Aisian roaches. I haven't seen any fly in my home so hoping they are German.
I'll follow my plan to treat for 3 to 6 months and leave the traps and see what happens.
Thanks again for your response and advice, they are greatly appreciated.
PAbugman
voted this post useful.
#7
05-28-19, 09:04 AM
So Tuesdays are my day to fight pests.
May 7th there were some dead roaches behind the refrigerator and dishwasher and under the sink. I took out all the old bait made 12 fresh bait trays and put them under the sink, behind the dishwasher and behind the refrigerator. Previously I had added gentrol point source to all of these areas.May 14th inspection show no evidence of any dead bugs. Nothing was in the Victor traps either. Everything looked good and I thought this might all be behind me.May 21st inspection found lots (maybe 10?) of dead baby roaches under the sink. Everywhere else was clean. I added fresh bait and was wondering why last week everything was clean but this week baby roaches showed up. Are all the adults dead? Do babies arrive somehow after the adults have died? Maybe through egg sacs left separate from the female? Are there still adults living somewhere in my house that have simply not shown up to eat the bait and die?May 28th inspection, that is today, finds only one dead baby bug under the sink. All other areas appear clean. No dead bugs found anywhere else.
so, in addition to my original question, I am confused as to just what is happening. It would appear that there is still some small infestation in my kitchen. I don't know if I just need to wait longer for all of my efforts to kill all the roaches or, is there something else that I can or should be doing? I have not sprayed anyting in the kitchen or nearby area since it seems I do not want to kill any Roaches on contact, rather, I want them to eat the bait and returned to the nest. Maybe that is my mistake. Maybe I should be spraying.I think it's about ten weeks now since I first found this problem. I never thought it would take this long to fight it and never thought that after 10 weeks the fight would still be going on.
so, in addition to my original question, I am confused as to just what is happening. It would appear that there is still some small infestation in my kitchen. I don't know if I just need to wait longer for all of my efforts to kill all the roaches or, is there something else that I can or should be doing? I have not sprayed anyting in the kitchen or nearby area since it seems I do not want to kill any Roaches on contact, rather, I want them to eat the bait and returned to the nest. Maybe that is my mistake. Maybe I should be spraying.I think it's about ten weeks now since I first found this problem. I never thought it would take this long to fight it and never thought that after 10 weeks the fight would still be going on.
#8
05-28-19, 12:45 PM
The egg sacs (ootheca) of german roaches can hatch anytime from soon after being deposited to several weeks later. Possibly this can explain the periods of time with no roach evidence. Keep changing locations of the Victor roach traps, too. Make sure there are some in place under the sink and anywhere you find dead ones.
The young roaches that you found dead could have been the result of the insect growth regulator as that stops them from molting. It's probably too late now, but look closely at any dead roaches/trapped roaches and see if they appear to have blisters or deformities on them. That would be the result of the Gentrol.
It wouldn't be wrong to spray the areas where you haven't been spraying; I wouldn't bait those areas for a week or so though.
It sounds to me that you are making progress. It's never quick and easy, even for pros. Stay the course!
The young roaches that you found dead could have been the result of the insect growth regulator as that stops them from molting. It's probably too late now, but look closely at any dead roaches/trapped roaches and see if they appear to have blisters or deformities on them. That would be the result of the Gentrol.
It wouldn't be wrong to spray the areas where you haven't been spraying; I wouldn't bait those areas for a week or so though.
It sounds to me that you are making progress. It's never quick and easy, even for pros. Stay the course!
#9
05-28-19, 03:55 PM
There are several of the Victor traps everywhere I have ever found dead roaches. In addition, I have traps in the bathrooms and laundry room even though I have never found any dead roaches or seen any live roaches in those areas. I have now sprayed areas in and around the kitchen and pantry. Next time I find any dead roaches I will try to see about the blisters. Truthfully, the babies I have found the last two weeks were very small and I don't think I would have been able to see anything on them anyway. Thank you for your advice and encouragement. It means a lot to me!
#10
06-11-19, 08:17 AM
I can't see if anyone besides me and Pa Bug Man are reading this thread. I assume someone is. anyway, to continue the Saga, last Tuesday when I checked everywhere, I found no evidence of any infestation. No dead bugs , nothing in any of the traps , nothing. Once again I thought that this issue might be behind me. But no, on Wednesday I walked into the master bath and there was a bug in my water glass! So disgusting! I am 95% sure this bug was a roach and 95% sure that it had some type of blistering on it's body. PA Bug Man had mentioned blistering caused by gentrol so I was looking for that. I took a photo but it is really hard for me to tell. This was the first time I ever saw a roach outside of the kitchen. It really concerned me that they might be moving throughout the house. Anyway, I immediately rebaited the traps and added a gentrol point source under each of the bathroom sinks.
Today is Tuesday so I again checked everywhere, kitchen, laundry room, bathrooms and found no evidence of any bugs. There is nothing in the sticky traps, nothing in Victor's traps, no dead bugs. Even though everything was clean I added all new fresh bait and even added a couple of more sticky traps I have left over. I don't know if this will help but I feel like I have to keep doing something.So, other than that one roach in the bathroom , I have seen no evidence of any bugs in several weeks. This has been going on for several months now and I still have absolutely no idea how I will know when all the roaches are dead. I'm beginning to think that I never will know and I will always have to have traps and bait in the kitchen and under the bathroom sinks. I've been a homeowner for over 40 years and this is the first time I've ever had to deal with roaches.That's it for now. If you are reading this I hope you don't have a similar problem. If you do have a similar problem, know that it is going to take time to get rid of these bugs. Fortunately, there are lots of great products on the market that will help you to fight these little *******s.
#11
12-28-20, 11:06 AM
Follow up. I received a message asking how things have gone till now. So the number approaches got less and less as stated above until we only there was nothing. Just to be sure I have continued placing the gentrol discs all around the kitchen. Really, they are under the sink, in the cabinet where the garbage is placed, behind the dishwasher and behind the refrigerator. I have also placed glue traps in all of these areas. Nothing has shown up and over a year-and-a-half. Funny, just this morning I discussed this with my wife and whether I should continue to put the gentrol disc down and we decided that we will not. We are going to assume that all the roaches are now dead. I will still Place glue traps to monitor things and if any insects are found I will immediately begin treatment. Thanks again to the PA Bug Guy for all of his help.
