HOW TO CONTROL COCKROACH

Cockroaches are not only undesirable pests but a threat to human health. Cockroaches consume food and thereby contaminate the indoor environment.

Cockroaches are known to transfer disease pathogens, such as the various bacteria that produce “food poisoning” in humans, by contaminating food, food preparation surfaces, dishes and eating utensils. Cockroach has an ability to trigger asthma. Cockroach nymphs grow by periodically shedding their “skin” (the exoskeleton). Fragments of their exoskeletons, along with bits of cockroach feces, serve as antigens (foreign protein) that, when inhaled, cause allergic and asthmatic reactions.

Several species of cockroaches live inside structures. Most domestic cockroaches are of tropical origin and the German cockroach, for one, cannot survive temperate winters outdoors. All are primarily nocturnal. Cockroaches prefer warm, moist places where they can feed on human and pet foods, decaying and fermenting matter, and a variety of other items.

Food, water and shelter are basic cockroach requirements. Pest control services can be availed for annual maintenance program.

Getting Rid of Cockroaches:

Controlling cockroaches with borax ( Sodium borate ) is one of the easiest, most inexpensive ways to keep roaches out of your home. Use borax, a jar lid and some sugar to immediately start seeing a reduction in active cockroaches around your home.

Follow the procedure:

• In a plastic plate pour some borax and sprinkle the same amount of sugar.
• Mix sugar and the borax together with a clean toothpick and collect the powder towards the centre of the plate.
• Place the jar lid in an area where you’ve seen cockroaches crawl. Place the borax mixture in places where small children and pets can’t reach it.
• Repeat the process and put more jar lids around you home where cockroaches roam.
• Clean your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Check the borax piles daily. If the borax is spread it means that the cockroaches have taken the bait and have been consuming the borax and sugar mixture. If the piles remain undisturbed, sprinkle more sugar onto your borax piles and mix with a toothpick again.
• Vacuum your carpet. Sprinkle borax on it. Use a broom to sweep it into the carpet evenly. Let the borax sink into the carpet for a week. Vacuum the carpet after a week to remove the borax, dead bugs and their eggs.

HOW TO CONTROL SPIDERS AT HOME

Spiders are one of the feared insects at home. A cob web indicates the presence of a spider in the surroundings. Spider bites are dangerous. The venom can sometimes land you in hospital.

An effective approach to spider control is to use the knowledge that they are predators; they primarily consume other insects. So if you can reduce the other insects around your home, spiders will be less interested in hanging around. Most spiders like to hang out near light sources, as they rely on flying insectsthat instinctively move towards light.

It is not easy to control spiders through treatment.  Therefore do not expect perfection in spider control; as they are biologically not very receptive tochemical agents and not very cooperative in picking up pesticides.

The best way to control running and jumping spiders at home is to control their food sources around the house . Make sure, get rid of your other bugs. Crack and crevice treatment with insecticides provide some control, but you can also use glue boards or sticky traps.The most effective places to put glue traps are in dark, quiet areas.

One good point to know about spiders is that they are basically loners – they aren’t social insects that live in big groups, like ants or bees. As predators, they like to operate on their own and not share their food. So you’re often just as effective whacking a spider with a shoe or a newspaper as you would be to spray for them.

General sanitation, both indoors and outdoors, is very important in spider control. All areas must be clean and uncluttered. Control of excess moisture is also helpful.

Exercise caution when working around any materials that have been stockpiled for a long time. There are few spiders that do not make webs . Therefore ensure to keep your home free of their food sources.

Those spiders that enter buildings from outdoors usually do so through small cracks and crevices. Thus, the sealing or caulking of these entrances will aid in spider control. Screens, and tight-fitting doors and windows will also help keep spiders out.

Do not allow objects to remain in one place too long. Also, since spiders are strictly carnivorous, the elimination of household insects such as cockroaches, bedbugs, ants, and other prey will help discouragespider infestations.

The best mechanical control device is the vacuum. Vacuum corners, wall angles and window angles often. If you are opting for a chemical control then use proper precautions and follow the label instructions precisely.

You can also use glue boards that are readily available in the market. These glue boards will also enable you to identify from where they are entering into homes. Accordingly you can address the problem.

It is also recommended to use Chloropyriphos 20 % EC or some equivalent formulations. Prior to purchase check if it can be used indoors. Before use read the label carefully, use personnel protective equipment like safety glasses, rubber gloves and masks to avoid contact and excessive inhalation.