Take care of cockroach infestation yourself

Take care of cockroach infestation yourself

Can I take care of cockroach infestation myself?

Cockroach infestation— defined as a combination of droppings, eggs and large numbers of cockroaches, can really be a handful sometimes, especially when you have no experience dealing with it.

But before we answer the question, here are a few facts you should know about cockroaches;

Cockroach Infestation Facts

• Cockroaches carry more than 30 species of bacteria in their gut and cuticle alone. Some of these microorganisms include E. coli and Salmonella
• These arthropods also give some viruses and parasites a ride to wherever! That wherever, unfortunately, can be your home.
• Certain species of cockroaches can go without air for 45 minutes.
• They can remain active for a month without food and survive submerged in water for half an hour.
• They can also sustain themselves on the glue from a postage stamp and withstand radiation up to 15 times the lethal dose for humans.

Of course, there are more facts about these not-so-tiny creatures, but these few should tell you how deadly they can be, and even more, how challenging it can be to get rid of a cockroach infestation.

So, can you take care of cockroach infestation yourself? Except you are a professional cockroach exterminator, you will have a very tough time dealing with a cockroach infestation.

Yes, some DIYs might help with getting rid of cockroach infestations, but they are not without their drawbacks.

In this article, we will run through some DIYs, let you see the detriments of these DIYs, and ultimately, proffer a better solution.

So, let’s get started already, shall we?

DIY Methods which might help you to handle your cockroaches issue.

Note: Applying DIY methods of treatment in the long term makes the pest infestation not treatable, if you could not handle it during the first few weeks, call a pest control professional immediately.

Basically, to get rid of a cockroach infestation, follow these three steps.

• Clean to get rid of roaches’ hiding places and remove food and water sources. This is one of the essential steps to get rid of cockroaches.
• Use roach control products (sold in the store like Home Hardware, Canadian Tire, etc.) to get rid of light infestation. A combination of an insecticide to kill active cockroaches, bait to eliminate hidden roaches, and an IGR to prevent them from reproducing is necessary for a complete roach treatment.

Note: do not use aerosol sprays, since the smell of aerosol kick roaches to penetrate behind backsplashes, walls, hard reachable cracks, crevices, gaps. Do not silicone any cracks / crevices, gaps, holes to stop the cockroach issue. It will not help at all, and will make access to the cockroach nest impossible.

• Monitor cockroaches with glue boards. It can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks to identify the level of cockroach infestation.

That’s a rundown of how to take care of cockroach infestation. There are other sub-steps to these three, but those are the major steps to eliminating cockroach infestations.

Moving on, let’s consider the drawbacks of DIYs.

Why You Should Not Take Care of Cockroach Infestation Yourself

1. Difficult to Eliminate

You need to understand that getting rid of roaches involves more than just spraying an insecticide or putting down bait or dust.

It requires professional services. This is because roaches get into everything, multiply rapidly, and survive for several months without food and up to two weeks without water. That makes cockroach infestations very difficult to eliminate, at least for non-professionals.

2. Different Types

Moreso, these roaches are of different types. And you may need to recognize the type of roach you’re dealing with to understand what and how to get rid of them.

The three most common cockroaches in Canada are the German, Oriental and American roaches. All of these three can get in your home for different reasons.

All of which require different techniques of treatment and preparation instruction. And some roaches can still multiply even if they are dead. Don’t be surprised!

You’d agree that to effectively take care of cockroach infestation, you need a good knowledge of the type of roach infestation you have. And except you’re a professional cockroach exterminator, that might not come easy.

3. Professional Grade Residual Chemicals

More importantly, remember you do not have access (need a license) to commercial grade residual insecticides and other professional-grade control products to get rid of a cockroach infestation. These products can only be used effectively by licensed pest control technicians.

Roaches, once they have invaded your home, penetrate almost every space in your home. They hide around the engine compartment of the fridge, in the stove structure, under the countertop, the vanity top, around the kitchen and washroom, sinks, in the coffee machine, in the microwave, amongst many others.

DIY “chemical” treatment in these places can be very lethal. Only cockroach control experts can help eliminate these invaders and completely clean up after.

Apparently, unless you’re a licensed exterminator and have excellent experience in  handling commercial grade products, you cannot get rid of cockroach infestation yourself, and you may want to consider employing the service of a skilled cockroach exterminator.

Benefits of a Professional Cockroach Exterminator Service

1. Accurate Identification and Treatment

Like we said earlier in this article, there are different types of cockroaches. In fact, about 3 have been identified to invade homes and offices. A professional cockroach exterminator will accurately identify these roaches and the type and safe amount of chemicals to use.

2. Convenience

A trained professional cockroach exterminator helps you get rid of cockroach infestation without hassle. Most of these over-the-counter treatment options might take quite a while to completely rid roach infestation, or maybe make light infestation a disaster.

Professional exterminators choose the best pesticide and technic options, relieve you of the stress of buying sub-standard products, and help you get rid of the infestation without exposing you to harmful toxins.

3. Health

Beyond the awful factor, roaches carry hazardous bacteria, such as E.coli, Salmonella, and harmful diseases that can expose you and your loved ones to diverse illnesses. It can also trigger severe responses, especially in people with asthma and allergies.

Exposing yourself to these invaders can be pretty ugly if not done professionally. Cockroach exterminators are trained professionals, and they deal with cockroach infestations with experience and dexterities.

4. Discovering The Source

It’s not enough that you only get rid of cockroach infestation in your home, but also, it’s crucial that you also locate the source attracting them to your property. In fact, finding the source is the most important, else you will have to deal with infestation every week.

Our Professional cockroach exterminators are trained to do this. They locate the source of the infestation and eliminate it to prevent reoccurrence.

These are just some of the benefits of a professional cockroach exterminator.

Conclusively, cockroach infestation requires professional skills and experience to eliminate. And if you’re not a professional cockroach exterminator, you may want to employ the services of one to help you get rid of the infestation.

Speaking of professionals, at Provincial Pest Control (PPC), we have expert cockroach exterminators that know everything about roaches and can help you get rid of any roach infestation. We’re one of the best residential and commercial pest control companies in Canada. Our professionals will help you prevent and eliminate cockroach infestation.

We also offer free pest inspection and treatment on the same day. So, you can contact us today for your professional pest control services in Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond, Burlington, Oakville, Ottawa, and other cities in Canada. Book a free pest inspection here.