Maintaining the Home:
Pest Control
Cockroach Control (Silica)
Silica
Silica aerogel dust absorbs the waterproof layer of wax on the roach’s body and causes death by dehydration. A visible film of dust should be applied with a squeeze bulb or plunger duster to suspected roach hiding places. Contact with the chemical is necessary for control. Silica aerogel is particularly effective in controlling roaches in attics, wall voids or other closed spaces. However, the roaches will learn to avoid treated areas. The dust loses its effectiveness if it becomes wet, so do not use it in damp areas.
It is necessary to spray household walls, underneath sides of shelves, both sides of drawers, under sinks and lavatories, around baseboards, around floor drains and under any large appliances. Direct sprays into the cracks and crevices. Do not spray surfaces like breadboards and countertops that come in direct contact with food. Scatter bait under refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, clothes washers and under cabinets. After spray is dry, cover shelves with clean, untreated shelf paper before replacing food and dishes.
Mention of commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no endorsement is implied and no discrimination is intended by the NMSU Cooperative Extension Service.
| Table 1. Pesticides labeled to control cockroaches. | |
| Materials | Suggestions |
| Avert bait*—placements per label (Abamectin B1, a mixture of avermectins) | Use precautions to keep chemicals out of food and spices and off dishes and eating utensils. Treat cracks and crevices and all potential hiding places. Make food and water sources inaccessible to roaches through good sanitation. Some products labeled for roach control contain boric acid. Although these are effective, their killing action is slow. Sanitation and cleanup will help reduce problems with cockroaches. |
| Baygon 2.0% bait* | |
| Bendiocarb (Ficam) 1% dust | |
| Catalyst*—0.5 to 1% spray | |
| Commodore WP*—0.03% spray | |
| Cynoff EC/WSB/WP*—0.1 to 0.2% spray | |
| Delta Dust*—0.05% (deltamethrin) | |
| Demand CS*—0.15 to 0.03% spray | |
| Demon EC/WP*—0.1% spray | |
| Diazinon 0.5% aerosol or ready-to-use spray | |
| Dursban 0.5% aerosol or ready-to-use, or | |
| Dursban 1% dust—per label directions | |
| Dursban 12.6% EC—per label directions | |
| Ficam Plus*—per label | |
| Flee*/Dragnet FT*—0.5% spray | |
| BioPath* (microbial bait stations) | BioPath is a biocontrol bait station containing a fungus that controls cockroaches. Use per label directions. |
| Gentrol —0.06% dilution (hydroprene—1GR) | Products containing hydroprene (Gentrol, with Gencor), a growth regulator, can be helpful in controlling cockroach populations. |
| Hydramethylnon (e.g. Combat or MaxForce) bait stations—per label directions | |
| Ortho products (per label directions) Total Flea Killer Flying and Crawling Insect Killer | |
| Niban Granular bait* | Use Niban bait per label directions (made by Nisus Corp.) |
| Saga Multi-Purpose Spray* or Saga WP*—per label | |
| Silica gel powders | |
| Suspend SC*—0.03 to 0.06% spray | |
| Tempo 1, 20WP* or 0.1& dust— per label | |
| Traps | Pesticidal roach sticky traps can help control roaches and provide an indication of roach problems. |
| Ultrasonic devices | Research at other universities has proven these devices to be ineffective. They are not registered by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Therefore, they cannot be sold. |
*These are restricted-use pesticides available only to licensed applicants.
This material was adapted from publications produced by New Mexico State University.
