Although Cockroaches are useful outdoors . . . they are not welcome indoors.

Although cockroaches are useful outdoors, where they help recycle plant and animal wastes, they are not welcome indoors. Research clearly indicates that roaches can carry disease-causing organisms from sewers, garbage cans, or bathrooms to kitchen counters and human food. Cockroaches can also trigger allergic reactions in some people.

Except for size and markings, all cockroaches have a similar appearance. These insects are dark in color, oval-shaped, and have long antennae. Roaches are mainly active at night and generally remain hidden during the day in cracks and crevices near their food sources.

• Use nontoxic sticky traps to locate roach habitat. Roaches like to travel by touching the edges of objects. Place traps along the edges of walls, appliances, cupboards, etc., and not in the middle of the room. Sticky traps with a nontoxic "pheromone" attractant will catch more roaches. When you find out where roaches are hiding, you'll know where to concentrate your efforts.

• Use sticky traps for small infestations. If you only have a few roaches, you may be able to control the problem with sticky traps.
• Use a strong vacuum with a crevice attachment to pull roaches from their hiding places.
• Use insecticidal dusts such as diatomaceous earth (DE) or boric acid in wall voids or cracks and crevices before you seal them, under large appliances, or in other prime habitats. One way to gain access to a wall void is to remove the cover plates on electrical outlets and switches. Always turn off the power before applying products near electrical outlets. When properly used, DE has little toxicity to humans and pets, but kills insects by absorbing their outer waxy coating, causing dehydration and death. Use DE sold for pest control and not for pool filters. Although boric acid has a low acute (immediate) toxicity for humans and pets, it should be handled carefully and kept out of the reach of children and pets. For roaches, boric acid is a slow-acting but effective stomach poison. When applying these dusts, use a hand duster and wear a dust mask, gloves, and safety goggles. Apply a very light coating because roaches will avoid piles of dust.
• Use cockroach baits because they use minimal amounts of insecticide and confine the poison to a very small area (see Tips for Using Cockroach Baits).

• Use baits indoors.
• Use baits with boric acid, fipronil, or hydramethylnon.
• Reduce or eliminate food sources so roaches will feed on baits.
• If you are using a gel bait, put small dabs in a number of locations rather than large blobs in a few locations.
• Place baits near areas where roaches are hiding and between their hiding places and food sources.
• Place baits where roaches are most likely to travel or congregate, such as along the edges of walls, appliances, cupboards, etc. - not in the middle of the room.
• Keep baits out of the reach of children and pets.
• Check bait stations frequently, especially if you have a large infestation. Empty bait stations should be removed because they make great roach hiding spots.

Examples of trade names for the products listed in this fact sheet: