Cockroaches are hardy insects that can be a considerable nuisance. They thrive on all kinds of food and organic matter including starch, glue, fabrics, books, and papers.

Kinds of Cockroaches

There are about 4000 different kinds of cockroaches in the world today. They have a broad, flattened shape, and six long legs. They are dark brown, reddish brown, light brown, or black. The adults of most species have wings. The young look like the adults, except they are smaller and do not have wings.

The three cockroaches of major concern in Utah are:

Brown-banded cockroach: Develop in warm, humid environments. May occur in all areas of the building.
German cockroach: Develop and live in all areas of the building, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms.
Oriental cockroach: Develop in damp basements and sewers. Forage mostly on first floors of buildings.

Control

Successful control of cockroaches requires the use of multiple tactics, known as integrated pest management or IPM. If professional assistance is needed, the Health Department recommends that homeowners hire pest control companies registered by the Utah Department of Agriculture. Be sure your pest control company hires licensed pest management professionals. Ask to see a copy of their license or check directly with the Utah Department of Agriculture by calling (801) 538-7100 or checking online.
Listed below are several components of a successful cockroach IPM program.

Preventing Entry:

Fill all cracks and crevices in floors, walls, and baseboards
Seal spaces around water and steam pipes entering rooms

Housekeeping:

Seal all food packages
Wash dishes as soon as you are through using them
Sweep floor daily
Clean up kitchen in the evenings since cockroaches feed at night
Clean regularly behind the refrigerator and underneath appliances
Don’t leave pet food out at night

Insecticides and traps:

When buying an insecticide, check the label to make sure the product is intended for cockroach control and is suitable for indoor use
Follow the label directions and precautions exactly
Be sure children and pets cannot reach or have access to any insecticide
When using baits, remove other food sources from the area so that the bait will be attractive to cockroaches
Replace sticky traps or glue boards when cockroaches, dust, or debris are abundant on the trap surfaces

For additional information, contact the Salt Lake Valley Health Department at (801) 313-6641.

We also recommend the following websites:

Utah State University - Cockroaches

University of Minnesota - Cockroaches