How Can I Protect My Home Against Termites?

Don’t encourage termites: 7 smart gardening practices

By Dan Gill, The Times-Picayune garden columnist

The next several months are a popular time for adding or reworking beds of shrubs, ground covers, and flowers next to your house. As you do so, remember, this work can affect your home’s termite protection.

We often refer to beds located close to the house as “foundation plantings” or “foundation beds” (so named because they are meant to hide the foundation of the home). Beds out in the landscape away from the house are not an issue. But, when landscaping foundation beds, the LSU AgCenter provides a variety of recommendations to avoid affecting your termite protection.

Many houses are protected from subterranean termite damage with chemical barrier-type soil treatments. Native subterranean termites always enter a home through the soil right next to a slab, pier or attached structure. The introduced Formosan termites generally do as well, but there are some exceptions (see later in the column).

To protect the structure, the soil immediately next to the slab or piers is treated with a long-lasting liquid termiticide. Piers also are drilled, and the termiticide injected into the inner void, and termiticides are applied under the slabs of houses during construction. The treated soil next to the slab or piers typically is about 4 inches wide and about 6 inches deep. The presence of this chemical forms a protective shield that prevents termites from tunneling through the soil and entering the structure.

The soil in this area should be considered untouchable. It’s all that stands between your house and an infestation of termites. If anything is done to this soil, the barrier is compromised, and the risk of termites entering the structure is increased.

During bed preparation for foundation plantings, it’s imperative not to dig into the soil at least 8 to 12 inches out from the slab or piers. If new soil is being added to the bed, it should not be allowed to cover the soil within 8 to 12 inches of the slab or piers. Either of these actions reduces or eliminates the effective barrier.

When planting shrubs in beds next to the house, they should be located a minimum of 3 feet from the slab. This distance allows for growth of the shrubs over time. The shrubs will benefit from better light and air circulation that the space behind them provides.

It also keeps them from coming into contact with the house. Woody plants touching a structure may provide a route of entry for subterranean termites. Vines also should not be allowed to grow on your house.

Structures should be inspected for signs of subterranean termites at least once a year. If plants are close to the residence, it may be difficult to get behind them to inspect the slab or piers. This is particularly true of plants with thorns or spines.

I encourage gardeners to use mulches in beds of shrubs, flowers, establishing ground covers and vegetables. They provide numerous benefits. But, when mulches are applied to beds adjacent to your house and other structures, termite prevention needs to be considered.

I often get questions about mulches attracting termites to a house. This is not the case, although termites will feed on the cellulose that makes up plant-based mulches. The mulches most likely to be fed upon by termites are wood products, such as wood chips. Some woods have natural chemicals that make them less palatable to termites (such as redwood, eucalyptus, and cedar), but these chemicals break down, leach out and don’t last indefinitely.

Wood mulches should not be used in beds next to the house. Bark-based mulches are less favorable, but still may be eaten.

Pine straw is the most commonly used mulch that is lowest in cellulose and is a good choice for foundation plantings. Mulches that are not plant-based, such as rubber mulches, gravel, and rocks, are, of course, not in the termites’ diet.

The placement of the mulch is more important than what you use. You should never apply mulch right up to the slab or piers of a house. This forms a bridge over the chemical soil treatment allowing the termites to bypass the barrier and enter the home. Keep mulches pulled back 8 to 12 inches to prevent this from happening. Mulches are not needed close to the structure if beds are planted the proper distance from the house.

Large trees near a house can clog gutters with large amounts of leaves. (Live oaks are shedding leaves now.) Clogged gutters overflow when it rains, wetting the wood of the fascia and roof of the house. Leaky gutters do the same thing.

Although native subterranean termites must enter the house from the soil, Formosan subterranean termites just need damp wood. So, if wood in your roof area stays damp, a colony can get started directly in that location — bypassing the soil barrier.

When possible, plant larger trees farther from your house and prune branches to minimize leaves in gutters. Keep your gutter clear of leaves and in good repair.

More Tips to Minimize Termites

The following tips come from the LSU AgCenter.

Place gutters and grade your landscape so water drains away from your house.
Do not add fill dirt around the foundation or under porches or steps without contacting your termite company for re-treatment.
Promptly remove all scrap wood and wooden debris from the landscape.
Use metal edging, decorative bricks or border plants to edge your beds. Avoid wooden materials that may serve as food for termites.
When watering, avoid frequently spraying water against the foundation of your house. Adjust sprinklers so that they do not wet the sides of your house.
Leave at least 2 inches of space between your house and a deck or other wooden structures outside. Wooden trellises with plants trained on them should be at least 6 to 8 inches away.
Build decks and other structures on concrete pads and treat around the pads and posts. Treat under pads, too, and use pressure-treated wood in outdoor settings.

Dan Gill is a horticulturist with the LSU AgCenter. Email questions to dgill@agcenter.lsu.edu or add them to the comment section below. Follow his stories at www.nola.com/homegarden, on Facebook and @nolahomegardenon Instagram.

NOLA Pest Control of New Orleans can provide termite treatments and with a signed contract for a paid annual renewal service agreement, we will guarantee the protection of your property from termites for many years to come.  Call today for a Free termite inspection and get a Free quote on a termite treatment (504) 250-8088 or visit our site for more info.
https://nolapest.com/termite-treatment.html

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from Pest Control New Orleans https://nolapest.com/pest-ccontrol/termite-protection/.html

Can Mosquitoes Cause Disease?

Zika-Carrying Mosquitoes Expand U.S. Range, CDC Reports

The southern U.S. shows a substantial increase in the number of counties reporting evidence of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
July 6, 2017

The southern United States shows a substantial increase in the number of counties that reported evidence of the mosquitoes that can spread chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses, according to new research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published in the Journal of Medical Entomology June 19.

In the spring and fall of 2016, CDC conducted surveys to record where Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes were found. The latest 2016 data add Ae. aegypti collection records from 38 new counties and Ae. albopictus collection records from 127 new counties, a 21 percent and 10 percent increase, compared with the previous report, in the number of counties that report the presence of these mosquitoes.

These findings highlight the need for continued and improved mosquito surveillance. State and local health departments and mosquito control districts can use this information to plan for mosquito control and prevention activities in advance of possible outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases. For more information: www.cdc.gov/zika.

Infectious Mosquitoes Expanding Range, NY Times Reports
More citations on a disease-tracking website suggest mosquitoes may be moving into new ecological niches with greater frequency.

September 8, 2017

A mounting number of citations on a popular disease-tracking website suggests that mosquitoes may be moving into new ecological niches with greater frequency, NY Times reported.

The website, ProMED mail, has carried more than a dozen such reports since June, all involving mosquito species known to transmit human diseases.

Most reports have concerned the United States, where, for example, Aedes aegypti — the yellow fever mosquito, which also spreads Zika, dengue, and chikungunya — has been turning up in counties in California and Nevada where it had never, or only rarely, been seen.
Article Credit: PCT

NOLA Pest Control is the authority on mosquito control, we are committed to providing superior services in the Metro New Orleans, LA area, that will help clients enjoy their homes and yards again. NOLA Pest Control is family owned and operated, and our first priority is the needs of our clients. For more than 20 years we have been helping people live pest free, and getting rid of mosquitoes on your property is no problem with our thorough four-step, tried and true process. Give us a call Today 504-250-8088 or visit our website for details on our treatment process.
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Our professionally trained and licensed technicians will perform highly effective fogging treatments to eliminate mosquitoes around your home and yard, allowing you to appreciate the outdoors once again.

 

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from Pest Control New Orleans https://nolapest.com/pest-ccontrol/can-mosquitoes-cause-disease/.html

Best way to search a hotel room for bed bugs

Bedbugs aren’t a big concern when you travel … unless you get them. Then they’re a blood-sucking nightmare, and they won’t just ruin your trip — they can ruin your life for months afterward if they hitch a ride home with you.

Don’t think you’ll find them only in a two-bit motel — there are well-documented cases of tourists having their upscale hotel getaways ruined by massive bedbug bites. And it’s no use traveling to a region that’s bedbug-free: The data says they can be found all over the U.S.

What’s the best way to weed out these tiny critters? We love this video demonstration from the University of Maine, in which Jim Dill, an expert with a sweet New England accent, shows us how to look for bedbugs upon first checking into a hotel.

We combine his tips along with some other expert advice into a step-by-step guide for avoiding a bedbug-infested holiday:

Put your bags in the tub, away from the luggage rack

This should be the first thing you do after checking in, and it’s often not mentioned. While a luggage rack may be away from the bed and elevated, bedbugs could easily be hiding out within the fabric of the straps. To be extra safe, put your bags in the bathroom tub, which bedbugs are unlikely to climb into.

Cindy Mannes, vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association, also says you could leave your bags at the door when you first check in: “Just don’t unpack anything until you’ve checked for bedbugs,” she told Yahoo Travel.

Start your inspection by checking the headboard

Bedbugs don’t stray far from the bed — as Dill says, their range is about 20 feet away from their host — but they’re sneaky and can play hide-and-seek better than any 5-year-old.

Take a flashlight (if you have a smartphone, it probably has one) and get a good look at the headboard, which is a common hiding spot, and don’t forget to look in the creases.

“Many people overlook the headboard because it can be difficult to remove from the wall to examine it,” Louis N. Sorkin, BCE, a consulting entomologist with Entsult Associates, told Yahoo Travel.

And just to digress for a minute, Sorkin should know bedbugs well — he stores thousands of them at home for study and keeps them alive by letting them feed on him since he doesn’t react adversely to bites. Chuck Norris has nothing on Louis N. Sorkin.

As for what bed bugs can look like, their size and color can depend on whether they’re an adult or immature, or whether they’ve recently fed. The common rule of thumb is that they’re the size and shape of an apple seed, but Sorkin has posted examples of how that’s not necessarily so. They can be flat or plump in shape, and pale or reddish-brown in color.

Check the piping of the mattress

The crevices of a mattress’s piping make for a great bedbug hideout, so take off the sheets and look closely at the top and bottom parts.

Check the mattress or mattress pad for blood spots or poop

We know, this isn’t the most romantic way to begin a hotel stay, but other than seeing the bugs themselves, this is the best giveaway of whether any bedbugs have been feeding recently. The bloodstains can be red or brown, and the bedbugs’ poop can look like magic marker dots or marks, or raised mounds, Sorkin said. The poop residue will be light-to-dark brown or black.

Check the nearby drawers and nightstand

These make for another nice, dark hiding spot for bedbugs. Don’t just look on the corners of the inside — to be really thorough, take the drawers out from the nightstand and look under them too.

Check all other prime hiding spots

This could include the aforementioned luggage rack, bed frame, picture frames, and anything else within a few feet of the bed.

What if, gasp, you find bedbugs when you check in?

I’ll share a semi-embarrassing story: Last year I stayed at a boutique hotel in British Columbia, and minutes after checking in I saw some apple-seed-size, orange-brown bugs on the window and the windowsill.

So I did what any sane person would do: I freaked out, zipped up the bags I had placed on the floor, and ran down to the front desk. To the hotel’s credit, the guy working there immediately came up to my room to check on the problem. Which, it turns out, was no problem — they were just a species of ladybug I’d never seen (Canadians!). But he examined the mattress and the room just to be sure.

Provided what you found are in fact bedbugs, notify the front desk immediately. It’s probably OK to ask for another room in the hotel, but make sure it’s not next door or right above or below (and check that room thoroughly too).

What if, double gasp, you wake up the next morning with bedbugs?

This is the scarier scenario, because you don’t know where the bugs might be in your stuff, and you must make sure they don’t leave with you. Since the hotel is going to owe you one, insist that it launder your clothes immediately. And washing them isn’t enough: Mannes of the NPMA advises putting all fabric in a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes and steaming your luggage.

To be extra safe, before returning home place all your garments in a vacuum-sealed bag and dry them again.

If you’re wondering what bedbug bites look like, Sorkin keeps an extensive (and gross) collection of photos that include the bugs, their eggs, and their bite marks. The bites aren’t dangerous for most people — just unsightly and uncomfortable. Some people have harsh skin reactions that will require a doctor visit.

Bonus question: Could bedbugs hide on your pets?

Both Mannes and Sorkin said this is an unlikely scenario, but Sorkin added that it’s not impossible.

“There are exceptions where infestations have been allowed to proliferate due to many reasons,” he said. “Hotel staff haven’t been given proper education. I’ve seen infestations in homes where people and pet dogs and cats both had been fed upon over many months or longer.”

So just to be safe, give Checkers a good look before you check out.

Bonus question No. 2: How can I research if a hotel has bedbugs?

There are some websites where anonymous guests can report bedbug infestations at certain hotels, such as BedBugs.net and the Bedbug Registry. But there’s no way to be sure if the reports are accurate, and ultimately no hotel is 100 percent safe from bedbugs because of how easily they stow away with guests. Your best bet is to examine the room yourself.

Article Credit: By Greg Keraghosian | Fox News Travel

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With a flat fee treatment plan agreement, we will guarantee our treatment for 45-60 days after the final treatment. We will also educate you about bed bugs and how infestations start in the first place.
We will provide you with some good tips and advice on things that you can do to help prevent a
re-infestation.

It is our goal to provide you with peace of mind by means of a bed bug-free environment!

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Why Are Mosquitoes So Hard To Get Rid Of?

Mosquitoes are not only the most annoying insects but they
 also transmit deadly malaria virus among other illnesses in humans. That’s
 right, the most dangerous animal in the world can be killed with a slap. Mosquitoes 
have been known to cause a variety of illnesses apart from the commonly known
 Malaria. These insects have the ability to carry different types of bacteria.
Did you know that mosquitoes don’t cause Malaria? It is the plasmodium in it 
that does so. Take an example, a car cannot cause an accident without a driver,
 the mosquito is the car while the plasmodium is the driver.

Let’s delve deeper into some shocking details and demystify
 some facts about this small deadly insect:

· Malaria kills more than 300 million people every 
year and infects about a billion in the world. This is according to a study done by the World 
Health Organization.

· Mosquitoes are responsible for causing dengue, a
 disease associated with a feeling of broken bones. It is a killer disease in 
most children not to mention being really painful.

· They also cause “Yellow fever”, a disease 
associated with hemorrhaging of internal body organs. About 200,000 people are
 infected yearly by this and unfortunately, 30,000 people are unfortunate and do not
 survive.

· Mosquitoes are also known to cause West Nile virus,
 a bird disease that causes pain in the patients and causes high fever and vomiting.


You might now be wondering, how do I get rid of mosquitoes
 around my home? There are a variety of mosquito control measures that one can 
adopt in and around their home to deal with this menace:

· Using mosquito repellents which come in 
different forms of gels, lotions, and sprays.

· Trimming the lawns and keeping gardens short and 
trimmed to prevent excessive breeding areas.

· Getting rid of any stagnant water around your 
home to prevent further reproduction.

· Using mosquito coils and insecticides indoors to 
repel away the mosquitoes.

However, all these methods are not always effective especially
 when done in isolation and that’s why it becomes vital to seek extra help from 
professional pest control companies like NOLA Pest Control.

At NOLA Pest Control, we are experts in not only mosquito control but 
also pest control in general, in and around New Orleans. Perhaps you have 
experienced a situation where you get rid of pests in your home only for them 
to come back a few days later.

Perchance you have explored various options on how to deal 
with mosquitoes in the past but your efforts have been futile? That’s because you 
did not deal with the problem effectively. Mosquito and pest control not only 
entails eliminating them but also destroying their breeding grounds.

At NOLA Pest Control, we focus on elimination and not just covering up the
 problem. With our team of professionals, we’ll do a preliminary investigation
 where we determine the best approach to deal with the mosquito problem in your 
space, both commercial and residential.

Here’s why you should consider using our pest management company.

· We offer a variety of pest control services ranging from rodent control, termite,
 bedbug and mosquito control measures for both residential houses and commercial
 buildings, no matter your needs.

· At NOLA Pest Control, we offer free advice and tips on how you can further 
eradicate pests in your home.

· You will enjoy customized mosquito control and
other pest eradication programs that will suit your needs.

· We are very flexible in terms of our schedules, 
we can adjust appointments for you and your family’s convenience.

· Our record systems are up to date and efficient,
 we keep a detailed review of the pesticides we use and this can be used for 
future reference. Some mosquitoes develop resistance to a particular pesticide
 in case it is used repeatedly.

· We offer maximum pest and mosquito control 
satisfaction guarantee where in case you spot some pests in your home 48 hours
 after our clean up, we offer extra removals all for free.

· At NOLA Pest Control, we fully comply with all the safety
 standard measures and procedures to prevent you from exposure to dangerous
 fumes from pesticides.

· No need to worry about environmental compliance 
regulations, at NOLA Pest Control, we utilize environmentally friendly pest control methods
 that are not harmful thanks to our integrated pest management system that
 minimizes the use of chemical agents that have detrimental effects in the long 
run.

· Our pest control team consists of experts who 
are reliable, friendly, and professional.

When mosquitoes begin swarming around your home give us a call and we’ll be happy to come out and eliminate the mosquitoes so that you and your family can enjoy the outdoors and your home again, mosquito free.

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Contact us Today for Fast, Guaranteed, and Satisfactory Service! (504)250-8088
https://nolapest.com

from Pest Control New Orleans https://nolapest.com/pest-ccontrol/why-are-mosquitoes-so-hard-to-get-rid-of/.html

How Do I Get Rid of Termites In My House?

How to tell the difference between swarming Ants and Termites

Termites often start swarming around the latter part of February through early March. It is important to distinguish swarming ants from termites because control measures for both are quite different in technique and price.

Subterranean termites are the most destructive insect pests of wood. In nature, they scavenge wood, breaking down the large amounts of dead trees and other wood that accumulate in forests. The breakdown products of wood are returned to the soil as humus. Problems begin when termites invade human structures. Their presence is not readily noticed, and damage often is discovered before the termites are seen. The homeowner can practice prevention, but successful chemical control nearly always requires the services of qualified pest control operators.

Subterranean termites are found throughout the United States except for Alaska. These wood-destroying insects are found throughout Texas, decreasing in frequency from the Gulf Coast to central regions. Termites represent a great hazard to wooden structures in these areas.

Subterranean termites are social insects that live in nests or colonies in the soil. Three termite forms or castes are found in the colonies — reproductives, workers, and soldiers. Individuals of each caste have three growth stages — egg, nymph, and adult.

Reproductives can be winged (primary) or wingless (secondary). Each has the capability to produce new offspring. Primary reproductives, also called swarmers or alates, vary in body color from coal black to pale yellow-brown. The wings may be pale or smokey gray to brown and have few distinct veins. Swarmer termites are about one-quarter to three-quarter inches long and make up the largest number of individuals within a colony. Workers gather food, enlarge and maintain the nest and feed and care for all other castes in the colony.

Soldiers resemble workers in color and general appearance. However, they have large, well-developed, brownish heads with strong mandibles or jaws. Soldiers defend the colony against invaders, primarily ants. Soldiers in some types of termites generally occurring in arid regions are called nasutes. Nasute soldiers have pear-shaped heads with a long, tube-like projection on the front. They exude a sticky substance to entrap their enemies.

Termites will have straight antennae, two pairs of equal length wings, no eyes and a thick waist. Do not get them confused with ants, which will exhibit an elbowed antennae, 2 pairs of unequal length wings, eyes and a thin waist.
By Clint Perkins, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

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NOLA Pest Control knows the serious and very destructive nature of termites and we also understand the worry and stress homeowners face when dealing with termites invading their home.
We use a very thorough and sure method when treating a structure for termites that guarantees peace of mind for our clients.

Give us a call TODAY! 504-250-8088 so that we can get rid of the termites before they can cause any more damage, or visit our site for more information.
https://nolapest.com

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How Can I Get Rid of Rats In My House?

New Orleans rats are carrying pathogens that could be fatal to dogs
The greater New Orleans area is no stranger to rodents, whether it is nutria swimming in the bayous or the small rat scurrying along Bourbon Street. Researchers are finding local rodents aren’t just unpleasant — they are likely carrying bacteria that could be harmful to dogs.

Rats in New Orleans are carrying pathogens that cause diseases like hantavirus and leptospirosis, according to the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board, which monitors and controls local pests. Leptospirosis, in particular, is hard to detect and can be deadly for dogs and other pets.

Michael Blum, an associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Tulane University, said the prevalence of leptospira — which causes leptospirosis — in local rats is much higher than researchers expected to find.

Local rat populations are under increased scrutiny after reports this year that several dogs in New Jersey had contracted leptospirosis. At least three dogs died, while two others were infected by the disease, according to CBS News in March.

Experts have confirmed the presence of these pathogens in New Orleans rats, but it is unclear whether they are more prevalent now than they have been in the past.

Blum heads the New Orleans Rat Project, a Tulane-led effort to trap and study rodents across the city. The project is funded by a $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

He said available historical data on leptospira only goes back about four years. He noted research into these diseases began in earnest after levee breaks during Hurricane Katrina flooded most of the city.

Blum and his team are currently screening rodents citywide for leptospira and other bacteria. He said it will take “another couple of months” before specific numbers on the prevalence of rodents with the pathogens is available.

Claudia Riegel, director of the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board, said it is possible local rats have been carrying these pathogens for some time, and we just did not know much about it.

“We don’t think there’s necessarily been a resurgence,” Riegel said.

Even so, Riegel urged pet owners and others to be cautious.

She noted symptoms of leptospirosis can be easily mistaken for the common cold and flu, making it difficult for residents to know if they or their pets have been infected.

“It’s very important for everyone to take it seriously,” Riegel said, adding sanitation is the first step in preventing rodent-borne illness in people and pets.

Kelly Zimmerman, a spokeswoman for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, said the state’s Public Health Veterinarian has not seen an increase in rat-related illnesses. She added the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at the LSU Vet School has yet to see an uptick in veterinary cases related to rodent-borne diseases.

Riegel stressed rodent control remains a top priority for the city. The New Orleans Rat Project, which the agency is involved with, helps the city perform the “very laborious” task of surveillance of rodent populations, she said.

Riegel said education — in addition to trapping and removal — is a big part of controlling the rat population. Because rats can produce dozens of offspring in a given month, the board spends parts of its time encouraging residents to seal holes, lay traps and take other steps to prevent rodents from finding places to breed.
She urged residents to look around their houses and yards for food and water sources that could attract rats, including fruit falling from trees and pools of water accumulating on or around objects left outside.

Rats also eat pet food. Riegel suggested storing pet food inside to reduce the risk of pets getting infected.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises residents to keep dogs and other pets away from water that might be contaminated with rat droppings.

The control board also recommends closing holes and cracks in buildings and along porches where rats can enter.

Residents are also advised to call 311 to report rodent issues.
By Wilborn P. Nobles III wnobles@nola.com,
NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

NOLA Pest Control knows it can be very difficult to keep rodents out of structures. Rats are able to fit through openings the size of a quarter, and mice can squeeze into openings the size of a dime.
If you detect signs of any type of rodent infestation, give NOLA Pest Control a call right away or visit our website for more info, so that we can come out and inspect the property to determine the correct type of rodent we are dealing with, and then we will recommend a course of action to eradicate your rodent problems.
504.250.8088

https://www.nolapest.com

 

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What’s the Best Cockroach Killer?

Consider your options in the extended war to exterminate cockroaches

If you’ve got a roach infestation in your home, your first instinct will be to figure out the best way to get rid of them. Stomping and rolled-up newspapers may make a satisfying squish, but they’re hardly a prescription to win the cockroach land war.
The best way to stop cockroaches is to keep them from ever getting in, but if that fails, the best thing to kill cockroaches varies by type of cockroach, where you live and how they hide. 

Roach killing sprays

If you have one or two or a handful of cockroaches to kill, a spray can be an effective means of getting rid of them. (Make sure you thoroughly clean up the area you’ve sprayed afterward.) However, a spray is not an effective cockroach killer over the long term for a number of reasons. First off, you have to see the cockroach in order to get a direct spray shot at it, and those pests can move FAST, not to mention hide exceptionally well. Secondly, if there’s one cockroach, you can count on a whole lot more hiding elsewhere. Scattershot extermination with spray will take out some, but not the entire colony. 

Cockroach gel bait and stations

Gel bait and bait stations are more effective ways of getting rid of cockroaches in your home. Instead of killing them on the spot, the poison stays inside their bodies and slowly kills them later on. (Even hungry cockroaches will stay away from a food source that clearly has several dead roaches surrounding it.) Frequently, they’ll take the poison back with them to the rest of the cockroach family and feed it to them. Plus, their bodies remain toxic, so if cockroaches cannibalize a dead roach, they consume the poison themselves.

Gel baits are often sold under brand names such as Advion, Invict, and Combat roach killers. 
Before you consider over-the-counter means to exterminate roaches, you can also consider natural ways to get rid of cockroaches. 

Roach foggers

Insect-killing foggers, also known as bug bombs, are frequently marketed for different insects — termites, ants, fleas, and cockroaches all call for different extermination methods. Cockroach killing foggers tend to settle their contents on all the surfaces in the area in which they’re deployed. While a roach bug bomb can be effective in killing some of the roaches in a given area, it’s far from thorough. Roaches are good at scurrying away into hidey-holes where they might be protected from the fogger, which might not penetrate fully into all the nooks and crannies. 

How to get rid of cockroaches for good

For all these reasons, while over-the-counter DIY cockroach killing methods can work with varying degrees of effectiveness, your best bet to permanently evict roaches is to hire a professional pest control expert who specializes in cockroach extermination. Not only will they be able to prescribe the most effective methods of getting rid of these hardy pests, they can help you address the circumstances that allowed the roaches to make it into your home in the first place, and fortify your defenses against future cockroach intrusion. The cost of cockroach extermination could total a few hundred dollars, but it could be money well spent.
By Paul F. P. Pogue/Angie’s List

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