Cockroaches, or “roaches” as they are also known, are the most common pest in urban environments. They infest residential and commercial structures, and they are cosmopolitan pest organisms with origins dating back to the days of the Roman Empire. Their original homes were likely tropical, but they have adapted to human habitats of most every kind. Most species live in the great outdoors and are not pests to humans. However, several species adapted to living in caves and hollow trees, eating such things as bat guano (feces) and probably pre-adapted them for human environments.
Great survivors Cockroaches are very resourceful and can adapt to almost anything. If humans can survive in a given place, the cockroaches will likely be there, too. Cockroaches are omnivorous feeders, meaning they are opportunistic and will feed on almost anything. They have adapted to foraging on things associated with humans, from table scraps to dog feces.
Food Preferences Cockroaches have a preference for starchy foods, but will eat most anything associated with humans, such as cheese, meat, beer, postage stamps, book bindings, hair, dead or rotting organic matter… the list goes on.
Disease Transmitters Cockroaches are filthy. They are important regarding public health because they live in close proximity to humans, and they feed and reproduce in any number of unsanitary environments, such as garbage and garbage containers, sewage systems and drains, septic tanks and systems, pet feces, etc. Cockroaches are known as “mechanical vectors”. Much as a child tracks mud through your clean kitchen, a cockroach tracks bacteria, fungi, virus, protozoa, etc. across your kitchen counter. These organisms can cause such illnesses as food poisoning, diarrhea, urinary tract infection, abscesses, gastroenteritis… even leprosy, and typhoid fever! They also are vectors of some pretty nasty bugs that affect your animals.
Allergens and Asthma Many people have allergic reactions to cockroach feces and associated dander produced by cockroaches, especially German Cockroaches. These allergens then dry and hyper-sensitive individuals may react to the dander. This can be a quite serious health threat to such sensitive individuals. These sensitive individuals are often children.
In commercial structures, the disease and allergy risks related to cockroaches pose a much more serious threat. Facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, food processing facilities, etc. take cockroach infestations quite seriously, as do regulatory agencies responsible for oversight of such places.
Other considerations Cockroach infestations can be creepy. They can be embarrassing. These considerations also cause customers to contact Pest Medic in search of solutions to their cockroach problems.
Regardless of your reason for controlling cockroaches, Pest Medic Pest Control is at your service to provide safe and cost-effective solutions for your cockroach problems.
Our Unique Approach To Roach Control & Removal Service
Cockroach control is implemented by providing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to their control. IPM is best described as using all the tools available for pest management to achieve a solution to the pest problem. Far from just spraying pesticide, the IPM approach begins with proper identification of the pest, (in this case cockroaches) choosing the proper materials and methods for control, and implementing them in a safe and effective way. As an ideal example, IPM for german cockroaches would consist of identifying the cockroach as a german cockroach, finding the aggregation sight, using a vacuum cleaner to remove cockroaches from that area, treat cracks and crevices with boric acid dust, caulking the cracks and crevices, thoroughly cleaning cockroach feces from the area, then treating the area with a residual liquid. In doing so, you’ve “changed the niche”, and reduced the ability for the cockroach to thrive or even survive in that niche.
1. ROACH IDENTIFICATION
The first step in the solution to a cockroach problem is proper ID. Always remember that Pest Medic Pest Control is the home of the free Pest ID. Once the roach is identified, the Integrated Pest Management can proceed. Control measures be tailored to the customer’s specific problem, and the materials and methods best suited for the cockroach that has been identified.
Definitions:
Pronotum: “shield” over the head of cockroaches. Part of the thorax. Important for ID purposes
Nymphs- immature stages between egg and adult stages
Ootheca- Cockroach egg cases
Note: many common names for cockroach pests are used by customers interchangeably, such as “water bug”, “water roach”, etc. Not very specific in description.
Smaller cockroaches found in and around Tulsa, OK:
German Cockroach Blatella Germanica
Name misleading; Originated in Africa
Worldwide distribution; lives indoors, closely associated with humans, and animals
The most common cockroach found in residential and commercial structures
Significant problem in apartments, food service accounts, animal health facilities, ships
Easily transported to new locations
Highest reproductive potential of any cockroach species we deal with in Oklahoma; 95-98% control is needed to effectively eliminate German Cockroaches.
Congregate in groups; leave fecal specks in areas where they congregate
Live approximately 200 days.
Prefers 80 degree, humid, indoor environment
Can be confused with the Asian Cockroach, which lives mainly in Florida
Brownbanded Cockroach Supella longipalpa
Native to Africa
Not nearly as common as German Cockroaches; tend to hide in areas off the floor, such as behind picture frames, and furniture and
Similar in size to German Cockroach; but no 2 stripes on pronotum
Name derived from the dark bands and coloration across the wings of adults
Females have larger abdomens and shorter wings than males
After mating and carrying the ootheca, the female attaches it commonly a rough surface above ground. often group these egg cases together.
-5/8″ in length
brown in color, with 2 longitudinal stripes on pronotum
Male is light brown, slender
Female is a bit darker brown, broader abdomen
Nymphs have longitudinal streaks down their backs
Females carry ootheca until just before hatch, and it contains 40 nymphs, 2X more than most cockroaches
Often called “water bugs”; also known as the “black beetle” in the UK and some parts of US.
Tends to be acclimated to more temperate climates, such as ours in Oklahoma
Likely origin is from the Middle East
Has moderate tolerance to cool climates
Prefers shady, dark, damp areas
Common in areas such as basements, cellars, crawlspaces, meter boxes, block wall voids, ground cover, garbage chutes, and common in confined livestock housing
Commonly enter homes
Shiny, dark reddish-brown to black color
Pronotum same color
Female is broader than the male with rudimentary wing pads
Males a bit less broad, with wings covering 75% of abdomen
Do not fly
Nymphs are same dark color, and often confused with other large cockroach species.
American Cockroach Periplaneta Americana
Native to Africa
Hitchhiked to be distributed worldwide. Common on transport ships, cargo, etc.
Largest of the household cockroaches common to this area
Known by many names: Palmetto bug, water bug/roach
Adult male can live a month without food
Very common in sewers, crawlspaces, basements, even attics in certain climates.
Relatively slow life cycle
Mainly outdoor species
Prefer moist, dark, relatively warm habitats
reddish brown in color
“Halo” lightened coloration on pronotum
Males wings extend slightly beyond end of abdomen
Female wing tip equal in length of abdomen
Often glue ootheca to rough surface; ootheca dark in color, contains 16 eggs. Good ID key.
Smokybrown Cockroaches
Shiny brown/mahogany color
Pronotum same brown color, nymphs and adults
Nymphs can have a white bands on abdomen and white banded antennae;
Nymphs often confused with Oriental Cockroaches.
Very common in tropical/subtropical regions, and can be transported from such areas.
Common in zoos, botanical gardens, greenhouses, and can be transported from such environments. Common in warehouses for this reason.
2. ROACH TREATMENT
Inspection and treatment are two sides of the same coin. At Pest Medic Pest Control, we are not just mindlessly spraying your structure. We are always looking, using our flashlight, seeking sources and signs of pests.
Treatment of cockroaches on interior of structures will vary from the treating of cracks and crevices with liquid, aerosol, or dust residual materials, to using a vacuum cleaner. Often caulk and sealants can be used to take away harborage, and prevent movement of cockroaches. The residual left by these materials can be picked up on the cockroach’s pads on their “feet”, as well as being ingested. Cockroaches groom themselves, which facilitated their ingesting the toxic residual material.
Baits Cockroaches have chewing mouthparts, and are susceptible to cockroach baits, which can be applied as a dry granule or a gel bait.
Dessicants Another tool to control cockroaches are dessicant dusts, such as silica gel. These scratch the waxy coating on the exterior of the cockroaches, and cause dessication and death.
Liquid More traditionally known as the typical formulation for applying pest control materials, the liquid applications are often used. They are a mix of the labeled amount of concentrate combined with water. When applied a crack and crevice or spot treatment inside, the residue left both kills pest on contact, and leaves are residual for future pests. These can be compounds that kill insects, spiders, etc., and compounds that break the life cycle of the pest, preventing future populations from getting established again.
Application methods Interior applications are focused on treating the cracks, crevices, spaces, voids, etcs. where cockroaches hide and spend time. Focus on finding aggregation points of cockroaches and treating those areas, even using a vacuum cleaner to remove adults and nymphs prior to treatment.
Why Choose Pest Medic Pest Control
We’re passionate about helping people just like you get rid of unwanted pest problems. As such, we are proud to be the only pest control company in Tulsa, OK promising excellence in value, service, and trust.
Value
After your pest inspection, we’ll provide you with a quote that makes sense for your budget and unique needs.
Service
We’re not happy unless you are. So if you’re not satisfied with your most recent service, we’ll make it right.
Trust
We know you are putting a lot of trust in our hands. So we promise to treat you and your home with respect.
Sometimes one treatment, sometimes a recurring service, depending on the species of the cockroach and the extent of the infestation. So we recommend calling 918-636-2326 to schedule your roach inspection. This will allow us to give you an estimate of how long it’ll take to get rid of roaches in your home.
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Joel is excellent! He is very professional and friendly! Always fun to listen to his knowledge of bugs! He does a great job of getting rid of your pest problems!– Micah P. in Tulsa, OK
We’ve been using Joel for a couple of years now, and he is exactly what you are looking for in Pest control. Don’t hesitate to call him.– Chris S. in Tulsa, OK
Joel is amazing! Great value, kind, knowledgeable, and very professional. I would recommend him and his service to friends, family, and business associates.– Richard Z. in Tulsa, OK
