Most of the calls I received through the years involved pest that the homeowner could
have controlled or destroyed without a professional. The norm was roaches, mice, carpenter ants, bees,
bats, lice, moles, silverfish and others. The only one that I would recommend a pro for would be the
termites.
Actually, when caught early, they are as easy to kill as the common housefly. However, finding
them early usually takes a trained eye. If you are willing to follow a few easy steps and if you "re
okay with getting a little dirty, I can show you where to find them. That lesson will come another day.
There is probably no critter on earth that can bring about more dread and panic as the cockroach.
Most people go into panic mode and call an exterminator before they really take the time to investigate
a little on their own.
The key to ridding your home of these pest is early detection. When
found early (at first sight ) there is a reasonable chance, that the homeowner can do the job alone.Most
of the calls I made were successfully controlled with one application.
There are five species of roaches in the midwest region and most can be killed with the
same insecticide. By far, the most difficult species to kill is the German roach. Next comes the Brown
Banded followed by the American. The American is the largest and commonly known as the water-
bug. The German holds the record for having little baby critters and going untreated for two weeks can
add 200 to the one you first saw. The BB roach runs a close second in breeding.
These two species have
another similar trait that adds to the difficulty of killing them. They are the smallest of the roaches and
they love to climb. That gives them more places to hide at all levels inside your house. That"s why you
must treat for them at first sight. Unlike the American, the German and the BB have a glue on their egg
sacks and will attach them behind pictures, wall clocks and cabinets. This makes detection and treat-
ment far more difficult.
When the first roach is sighted, you must kill it immediately. Do not take the time to find
your dust covered can of raid. Do not wait for your husband to come home or your neighbor to run
over.
Take off your shoe and smash it into jelly! Once this has been accomplished, go into hunter mode
and check thorougly for other roaches. Every species likes warm and dark hiding places. They will also
be in close vicinity to your food, appliances, and bathroom areas. The best time for the hunt is at night
with the all the lights off. Take a flashlight and open all the kitchen drawers and cabinets. Also look for
egg sacks from the female and droppings that resemble miniature mouse droppings. They will tell the
story on the size of your problem. If none are found, chances are good that the one you saw was a loner
and your problem could be over. However, treat your house with some store bought goods and avoid
hiring a company with lengthy contracts and high costs.
There are many products on the market that will do as good a job as restricted chemicals if
the problem is caught in its infancy. You can buy Raid aerosols, sevin-dust, or roach hotels and do a
bang-up job the first time. Many co-ops and hardwares sell Dursban and Diazinon that can be mixed
with water for larger jobs.
I also recommend flat board glue traps if you are leary of chemical effects on
the body or the environment. If no droppings are found and no other roaches are found, this first sight
treatment should give you all the service needed. However, if you have allowed this wound to fester,
a professional may be needed. Just remember this, do not get locked into a yearly contract as many
companies require or suggest. If they can't rid your home of the pest in three treatments, they aren't
doing their job. Also, a bargain can be struck with all of them by insisting on a 3 treat contract. When
hiring a professional make sure you write down the kind of chemicals they use and how much they are
putting down. If they do not kill every roach in your house with three service calls, fire their butts!
