Pest Note
Cockroaches
Photos courtesy of:
Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series,
Bugwood.org; Forest and Kim Starr, United States Geological
Survey, Bugwood.org
Cockroaches – What are they?
Cockroaches have been an insect pest for about four million years with more than
3,500 species that exist worldwide including the Brown-banded cockroach, the Oriental
cockroach, the American cockroach, the Smoky brown cockroach, the Wood cockroach and
the German cockroach.
The German cockroach is one of the most common household cockroaches in the world.
They are particularly fond of inhabiting restaurants, food processing facilities, hotel rooms
and nursing homes. Although not very tolerant of the cold, this cockroach has been found
in buildings as far north as Alert and Nunavut. Measuring about 1.3 cm to 1.6 cm (1/2 to
5/8 inch) long, it is tan to light brown with two dark parallel streaks running from the head
to the base of the wings. Roaches have wings, but are unable to sustain flight.
Photos: Clemson
University, USDA
Cooperative Extension
Slide Series, Bugwood.org
Cockroaches will inhabit any area where food, water and shelter are available. They
are attracted to buildings because of the warm, damp conditions offered by kitchens,
bathrooms, basements and plumbing areas. Their presence does not necessarily mean
unsanitary conditions exist. Roaches and their egg cases can hitch a ride into your home on
various objects including used furniture, food items, empty beer and soft drink bottles and
shipping cartons. Once inside a building, they travel quite easily. Because cockroaches are
most active at night, they may go unnoticed for some time. Cockroaches are attracted to
food sources which contain starches, sugars and protein, but will eat almost anything when
hungry.
What can they do?
Cockroaches rarely cause structural damage. They can, however, contaminate food and
spread disease by walking over, and excreting on, food or food preparation areas after
having travelled through garbage and/or sewers. People with asthma may have a negative
reaction to their feces and body parts.
How can I manage them?
Intensive sanitation measures and the use of pesticides should be used jointly to control
cockroaches. Pesticides alone will not be successful as the habitat must be physically
modified first.
Sanitation
Preventing access to food, water, shelter and maintaining a clean home are important steps
in preventing any pest infestation.
Keep food in tightly sealed
plastic or glass containers.
• Clean up spills immediately. Do not leave pet water and food out 24 hours a day.
• Keep food in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers, rather than in paper or cardboard
that roaches can chew through and lay eggs in.
• Regularly clean dark and/or humid areas close to a food source, for example beneath
and behind appliances, grease behind the stove and refrigerator.
• Store garbage in sealed plastic containers and dispose of daily.
• Do not allow dirty dishes to accumulate, especially overnight. If you cannot wash them
immediately, leave them to soak in detergent and water.
DTP-Cockroaches-Eng.indd 1
• Always wash your hands thoroughly after
handling any pesticide product.
After Using a Pesticide
• Carefully read all label instructions and
precautions before using pesticides.
• Do not drink, eat or smoke while applying
pesticides.
• Persons and pets should vacate the area
during treatment. Cover or remove aquaria.
• If kitchen area is to be treated, cover or
remove food, dishes and utensils.
Using a Pesticide
• Identify the pest correctly.
• Use physical control methods and
alternatives to pesticides.
• Read the label directions and safety
precautions before buying the product. The
label must include the name of the pest to be
controlled and the treatment location (e.g.,
indoor, outdoor, garden uses, pet treatment).
• Purchase only the quantity of product needed
for the treatment.
• Consider hiring a licensed pest control
operator.
Before Purchasing a Pesticide
Responsible
Pesticide Use
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• Vacuum regularly to help remove food particles and insect egg masses.
• Wrap or insulate pipes with excess condensation, repair leaky faucets and pipes,
ventilate bathrooms and dehumidify moist areas to reduce sources of water.
Steam cleaning, vacuuming and freezing
If furniture, toys or crafts are suspected of harbouring roaches, steam clean them if the
material will not be damaged by moisture or heat. Regular vacuuming will remove food
sources, cockroaches and egg cases. Ensure they are all destroyed by immersing the
vacuum bag in soapy water. You can also freeze the infested items for 24 hours to a week at
-8°C (17.6°F).
Traps
Traps, including sticky traps, allow you to monitor the population and location of roaches
so that you know where to concentrate your efforts. Cockroach traps can be bought or
easily built. Build one by spreading petroleum jelly on the interior of a small darkened jar
and sticking masking tape on the outside for grip purposes. Place a small piece of food,
like bread, inside the jar. Once a cockroach crawls in, it will not be able to crawl out.
Cockroaches that have been caught can be killed in a bucket of soapy water, or by placing a
lid on the jar and putting it in the freezer for at least 24 hours.
Make your own trap.
Sealing hiding spots and entry points
Seal and caulk all cracks, crevices and pipe openings to reduce cockroach hiding places.
Put a fine mesh screen over cracks and crevices, vents, open pipes and drains to reduce
their access to your home. Store garbage in metal or heavy plastic containers with tightly
fitted lids and dispose of regularly. Store food in heavy plastic containers or glass jars.
Products
Various products for the control of cockroaches are available that contain active ingredients
such as: resmethrin, d-trans allethrin, piperonyl butoxide and propoxur. If insect
populations are high, pyrethrin aerosols or space sprays can increase effectiveness of the
treatment by knocking the insects down and flushing them onto treated surfaces.
Residual crack and crevice products are the most commonly used products registered for
the control of cockroaches.
Cockroach in crevice
Photo: Department of
Entomology, University of
Nebraska-Lincoln
Bait stations containing the active ingredient abamectin, available in tamper-proof
containers, trap the insects and kill them about 48 to 96 hours after the active ingredient
is ingested. Containerized bait formulations containing chlorpyrifos may also be used in
residential areas.
Domestic users can purchase gel baits containing Boric Acid or buy the dust form. The
paste form is only available to pest control operators for treatment of cracks and crevices.
Boric acid is ingested when the insects clean themselves.
Diatomaceous earth, a fine powder also known as silicon dioxide, comes from the crushed
skeletons of fossilized microorganisms found in the sea. It is non-toxic to humans and pets
and will remain active for as long as it is dry. As the insects crawl over the powder, their
waxy outer protection is scratched, leaving them to dehydrate and die. Users should be
cautious not to inhale the dust while applying the product.
Diatomaceous earth is
non-toxic to humans
and pets.
Products combining pyrethrin and silica aerogel are also available for the control of
roaches. The pyrethrin component provides a quick knockdown of roaches while silica
aerogel works like diatomaceous earth, causing the insects to slowly dehydrate and die.
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by
the Minister of Health Canada, 2010
HC Pub: 091050
ISBN: 978-1-100-15312-4
Catalogue Number: H113-1/6-2010E
Photos: Clemson University, USDA
Cooperative Extension Slide Series,
Bugwood.org
Health Canada
Pest Management Regulatory Agency
2720 Riverside Drive, Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
Phone from inside Canada: 1-800-267-6315
Phone from outside Canada: 613-736-3799 (long distance charges apply)
Fax: 613-736-3798
www.healthcanada.gc.ca/pmra

• Do not permit persons or pets to contact
treated surfaces until residue has dried
completely.
• Provide adequate ventilation of treated areas
after use.
• Wipe clean all surfaces that come in direct
contact with food, such as counters, tables
and stovetops, including indoor and outdoor
surfaces.
• Always store pesticides out of reach of
children and pets and away from food and
beverages.
Accidental Poisoning
• Call a poison control centre immediately and
seek medical attention.
• Take the pesticide container or label with
you to the emergency facility or physician.
• Follow first aid statements on the label.
• In case of accidental poisoning of pets seek
veterinary attention immediately.
• Report pesticide incidents to manufacturers
(phone number on label). They are required
to send them to Health Canada.
Disposing of Pesticides
• Do not reuse empty pesticide containers.
Wrap and dispose of in household garbage.
• Follow the product label instructions or
contact provincial authorities for disposal of
pesticides.
Note: These are general recommendations.
Consult the label for specific instructions.
When in doubt, contact a professional.
Health Canada
Pest Management Regulatory Agency
www.healthcanada.gc.ca/pmra
1-800-267-6315
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