Can You Reclaim the Kitchen?

Cockroaches are a constant source of frustration for both customers and PMPs. Technicians and specialists can point out conducive conditions and sanitation issues until they’re blue in the face, but very often, those recommendations aren’t acted upon. Despite shortcomings in customer cooperation, a seasoned professional can utilize a number of treatment strategies and tactics to gain control of even the most severe situations.

When the situation is extreme and a full-on clean out is necessary, you may consider combining ULV fogging and/or mechanical aerosol generators (MAG) with liquid residuals. ULV and MAG applications, especially when directed into harborage areas, will get roaches moving and running over residual materials. Flushing agents, like Shockwave® 1 aerosol, can also be used in these situations. The combination of fast-acting pyrethrin, durable bifenthrin and NyGuard® IGR give you flushing activity as well as long-lasting residual activity. Shockwave 1 also contains two synergists for improved cockroach control. Once ULV and residual materials have dried, include a bait like Vendetta® Nitro to kill cockroaches at their source and where they hide.

Maybe the situation isn’t quite at clean-out levels, but you’ve inherited an account that has had moderate roach activity for years. Using Shockwave 1 in harborage areas is still an excellent solution. Use glue boards to identify hard-to-find areas and apply baits as close to harborage areas as possible. The closer the better. Neonicotinoids and other non-repellent products like Sumari® Insecticide can also be applied in cracks and crevices where roaches reside. Sumari Insecticide has two long-lasting active ingredients in clothianidin, a neonicotinoid, and pyriproxyfen, the same active ingredient found in NyGuard IGR. For moderate infestations, use Vendetta® Plus roach gel bait.

When populations are low, monitoring with glue boards is absolutely critical to eliminating the remaining roaches. For these situations there are many effective options. Some may choose to go with baits only, others may use non- repellent residual materials or aerosols. In any case the most important thing is to locate those hard-to-find harborage areas and eliminate them accordingly.

Roach control in commercial kitchens may sometimes feel like an impossible task, but remember: There’s more than one way to gain control. Evaluate the account, decide on a treatment strategy and, above all, locate harborage areas through inspection and monitoring.