PMPs Use Visual Inspections and Monitoring When Assessing Cockroach Infestation Levels

CLEVELAND – Many PMPs have found monitoring devices such as glue traps to be an important tool in their toolbox as part of an integrated approach to cockroach management.

Sixty-three percent of those who responded to a recent PCT Reader Poll indicated they use visual inspections and monitoring when assessing cockroach infestation levels, while 31 percent said visual only.

Consultant Chelle Hartzer, 360 Pest Consulting, said at her initial account visit she will conduct a visual inspection and make a treatment as well as add monitoring devices. “The first thing you need to do is do a visual inspection and try to get your applications to the right areas. A customer is not going to be happy if you tell them, ‘Yeah, we aren't going to treat for another two weeks when we have some info from our monitors!’ And, in my opinion, treatment can include vacuuming (where you can inspect as you are vacuuming).”

At this initial visit, Hartzer will place monitoring devices in order to collect data so that at follow up visits she can better target applications for the greatest efficacy. “They obviously give you data on numbers, locations, and even directions, but they also show decreases (hopefully) as your control plan goes on,” she said. “Personally, I don't think we show customers this data enough, particularly when they do sanitation.”

Pat Hottel, technical manager, Rentokil Terminix, Bartlett, Ill., also said she uses both visual inspections and monitors for assessing cockroach infestations. Hottel acknowledged that there are areas where glue trap monitors may be impractical or more challenging to use due to wet wash up, high temperatures, risk of falling into product; however, generally they are more effective than visual inspections alone.

“They are also more useful in tracking and trending counts over time,” she said. “Trying to track and trend an infestation using a visual count will be more subjective. Visual will always be used and may be more timely when providing an immediate response to a cockroach sighting. Monitors are used to supplement the visual.”

In particular, monitors are useful when dealing with chronic or periodic re-infestation — areas where you need to track and trend the infestation. Hottel said, “As an example, in food facilities, where you suspect employee introduction via breakrooms or employee locker rooms, monitors can help confirm the source and allow for quicker response when an introduction occurs. They can be similarly useful in multi-unit dwellings in uncovering areas of infestation and introductions.”

Participate in our newest poll question: How often do your employees come into the office?