Cockroaches

I've noticed a handful of these dead in the garage. Never seen them (or any cockroaches) before in 20 years at the house. Happened to read a story today about a new variety called the Turkestan Cockroach that has invaded the local area ( according to the article our predominant type is the German cockroach). Is that what these are?

If so, I use Bifen IT monthly as a general spray. Is this adequate for these things?

 

It does look like the Turkestan roach. We don't have them here in the northeast and maybe won't as they are a warmer weather, outdoor (for the most part) roach.

Being outdoor based and slow breeders, bifenthrin would be a good choice and might explain why you're finding dead roaches in the garage.

I like bifenthrin as an outdoor treat for and around structures as visible staining/deposits are minimal compared to many others. Toxicity is low as well.

Sidenote: bifenthrin would not be a good choice for German roaches.

 

I apologize for hijacking the thread. How does Vendetta Nitro (Clothinidin & Pyriproxyfen) do with these roaches?

 

Pilot: If they eat it, it will kill them. Forgive the simplistic answer. Vendetta and the other gels are geared more for the smaller species of roaches such as Germans and Asians. Granular baits are good for the larger species and outdoor roaches. Outdoors and utility areas are a harsher environment so granulars will hold up better than gels, in general. Keeping that in mind, maybe you can protect the gels if using outdoors. Personally, I'd try it just out of curiosity. Intice, a granular bait is popular for the larger species and harsher environments.

 

To continue on with the hijack (jk ) does the Intice take it back to a cockroaches colony (do they have colonies?) in order for them to spread it around.

I'll continue to use the bifenthrin but if the intice gets them to take it back and kill more all the better?

Or if I do that should I stop the bifenthrin in order to let them live long enough to take it back?

I really don't want to let them get established, I can deal with them outside but if they get inside yuck.....

So many questions. Probably have more depending upon your answers.

 

That's a good question; it shows that you are thinking up a strategy. Taking baits back and spreading around the colony is for colony insects such as termites and ants. Roaches are not colony insects, though they cluster together. It's thought that they cluster because they believe they found a safer harborage since they can detect the pheromones from previous roaches there. They don't feed each other, but continue to be solitary in their behavior. Sidenote: the aggregation pheromone in german roaches has been synthesized and is used in Victor Roach Pheromone traps that are targeted specifically to german roaches. They work well. They think it is an acceptable harborage and seek it out as opposed to accidentally stepping in it as in a tradition glue trap.

The larger species of roaches, of which this is one, breed slowly. If the bifenthrin is working well enough, that's probably all you have to do, but it wouldn't be wrong to add Intice as well. Just don't bait where you spray or spray where you bait.

 

Excellent info, thanks. So I think I will continue with the bifenthrin. I use it on the interior of the garage and on the house perimeter.

Hopefully last question, how advisable would it be to use the Incite away from the garage, say fence line (wood fence). This will be minimum 10'-15' from the house. Wondering if there would be any negative effects to my dog or beneficial insects. I'm thinking this could present an initial line of defense, allowing the bifenthrin to serve as a backup.

 

Baiting a perimeter outside the bifenthrin perimeter is a good strategy. Another strategy would be to bait the perimeter next to the structures 10-14 days after spraying. That won't hurt the bait.

Intice is a boric acid based bait. It's as pet safe as any granular, though get familiar with the application directions concerning pets anyway.

As far as non-target insects, yes, there will be some loss but that happens with the bifenthrin perimeter spray as well. Since the target pest is primarily the outdoor roaches, it may make sense to hold off on baiting (after an initial baiting) until you see evidence of roaches. That way the bait is at optimum freshness when you need it the most. Once you get started, you'll quickly develop your own strategy as to what works where you live. Strategies evolve as time/results occur.