Cockroaches have a reputation for being hard to kill. We’re sure you’re heard the joke about cockroaches surviving a nuclear apocalypse!
Unfortunately, that joke isn’t too far from the truth. Roaches are a hardy pest that have only gotten harder to kill over time.
A recent study, published in Scientific Reports, showed just how hard it’s gotten to eliminate this pest.
Roaches and Insecticide Resistance
Purdue University researchers visited apartments in Indiana and Illinois and caught several German cockroaches. Back at the lab, the researchers tested them to find out if they were resistant to any insecticides. Then, they returned to the apartments and tested three different insecticide application methods on the infestations:
- A single rotating insecticide: in this method, the researchers used one insecticide at a time and changed the type over time.
- A mixture of insecticides: In this method, the researchers used a mix of different insecticides, all at the same time.
- A single insecticide, tested for effectiveness: In this method, the researchers used one insecticide that had been lab-tested as the most effective.
The only strategy that really worked? The third.
In both the first and second strategies, the German cockroaches developed a resistance to the insecticide(s) used after only months. What’s worse is that the researchers found that the cockroaches were developing a resistance to insecticides they hadn’t been exposed to. This means that cockroaches could be slowly evolving some sort of resistance to multiple insecticides.
The study didn’t come to any conclusions about why the cockroaches were developing these resistances; however, we think it could be in part because of insecticide mis-use and over-use. Just like with antibiotics—where not taking them all can cause the surviving bacteria to develop antibiotic resistance—insecticide mis-use could be contributing to resistance in roaches. (Unfortunately, insecticide mis-use is common, especially among homeowners who don’t have experience with pest control.)
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches
Cockroaches are not something you want in your house, for good reason. They carry and spread parasites and pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They spoil your food and dirty your house with their waste—which can also trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks!
But how do you get rid of them?
Like certain other pests (bed bugs and termites come to mind), cockroaches are an extremely difficult pest for the average homeowner to eliminate. That’s because most homeowners simply don’t have the time and resources needed to quickly and effectively deal with a cockroach infestation.
Because cockroaches are so resilient, getting rid of them requires a strategy—something a professional can help you with. This strategy would include:
- Identifying the problem areas in the home
- Sealing up pest entrance areas to prevent further infestation
- Using proven elimination methods
A multi-pronged approach is often necessary to get rid of roaches, since some methods are not always completely effective on their own.
Call Us Today
If your home has cockroaches, we’re here to help. Our technicians have the knowledge, experience, tools, and treatments needed to get rid of cockroaches—and make sure they stay gone.
Contact Scherzinger Pest Control, a trusted pest control company in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas, including Dayton, OH, and now Columbus, OH. We’ve been pioneers, engineering new standards for ways of eliminating and controlling bugs and pests. Contact us by phone at 1-888-681-1925 or through our website, Facebook, or Twitter.