About Cockroach Control in Sarasota FL
If you need cockroach control in Sarasota FL, then be assured you aren't alone: 70 of the world's cockroach species make their home in the Sunshine State. And frankly, it doesn't matter how meticulously you scrub, mop and vacuum your home, or how hard you try and eliminate their food sources (cockroaches will eat just about anything). In Florida, going to battle against cockroaches is typically a question of when — not if.
The Battle Against Cockroaches
Make no mistake: battle is the right term! Aside from being an unsightly nuisance, cockroaches — also known as palmetto bugs and water bugs — can cause a surprising amount of damage to food, fabrics, books (and other paper documents). Even more worrisome, is that cockroaches can spread diseases such as gastroenteritis, salmonella, dysentery, E. coli, and poliomyelitis. They are also known to trigger allergic reactions and worsen asthma.
What You Can't See CAN Harm You
Many homeowners don't think they really need cockroach control in FL, because they only see a few cockroaches quickly scatter when they flick on a light. Unfortunately, what's really going is a different story.
Cockroaches are nocturnal (i.e. they are active at night), and they're also astonishingly good at hiding behind drawers, windows, loose baseboards and doorframes, beneath tables and chairs, around conduits and pipes, in cabinets and cupboards, and the list goes on. This means that it's very possible — if not almost guaranteed — that if you're seeing a few cockroaches scatter every now and then, that there is a constantly-growing colony behind the scenes.
The Usual Suspects
As noted above, there are 70 species of cockroach in Florida. However, these are the most common, and it is virtually certain that one, some, or possibly all of these usual suspects have made your property their home-away-from-home:
- Florida Woods Cockroach
- American Cockroach
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Brown Cockroach
- Australian Cockroach
- German Cockroach
- Asian Cockroach
- Brownbanded Cockroach
Getting Rid of Cockroaches
There are four key types of chemical control for getting rid of cockroaches: baits, insect growth regulator (IGR), sprays and dusts.
- Baits are quite effective when strategically placed in areas where cockroaches typically hide, or enter/exit the home. Our pest control experts ensure that bait applications are precise and targeted, which maximizes results and minimizes unwanted pesticide exposure.
- IGR are special insecticides that disrupt how cockroaches reproduce and grow. Typically, effects are noticeable 4-6 weeks after initial application. It is also important to note that IGR often causes more cockroaches to be visible during the day. This is a good sign and means that it is working!
- Sprays are highly effective for targeting cockroaches that live or hide in cracks, crevices, around pipes, and in other areas where baits are less effective. Our pest control experts ensure that spraying is targeted, and will not contaminate food preparation surfaces (e.g. kitchen counters) or reach electrical outlets.
- Dusts coat the body of cockroaches, which then enters the nervous system when they groom themselves. This approach is relatively slower than other methods (e.g. baits and sprays), but can be highly effective when applied to dry, clean indoor areas.
Integrated Pest Management
At Hall's Termite and Pest Control, we take an integrated pest management (IPM) approach that includes the most appropriate chemical control tactics (as described above), as well as a full range of sanitation and exclusion strategies. We also regularly monitor baits and other indications of cockroach population and activity, to ensure that progress is being made towards the ultimate goal: making your home cockroach free!
Learn More
To learn more about cockroach control in Sarasota FL and for your free, no risk and no obligation consultation and estimate, call us today at 941-536-5848, or full out the contact form on here. Our business hours are Monday – Friday from 8am to 5pm.