As temperatures climb this summer, Sacramento residents may be noticing unwelcome visitors: cockroaches.
These pests become more active during warmer months, but according to City Department of Utilities staff, residents should take care when dealing with them.
“Spraying pesticides only solves the problem temporarily,” said Lauren Ledesma, a City pest management specialist. “It doesn’t control cockroach nests and the pesticides can wash into storm drains and end up in creeks and rivers.”
Instead of just spraying pesticide, Ledesma recommends using Integrated Pest Management, which is a method that emphasizes prevention, monitoring, and eco-friendly control methods.
Some examples of effective IPM practices for cockroaches include:
- Removing any outdoor food sources or potential nesting areas that may attract them, such as dog bowls, standing water, mulch piles, or stacked wood or cardboard.
- Using non-toxic sticky traps to catch them and identify how they may have entered and which species you are dealing with.
- Cleaning up any nests and droppings you find using a vacuum or soap and water.
- Applying eco-friendly products like diatomaceous earth or boric acid tablets into cracks, crevices and under large appliances.
Ledesma also says that if residents think they have a true infestation, no amount of spraying will solve the problem.
“There are generally indoor and outdoor species. If you see lots of signs of indoor cockroaches, it could be an infestation and it’s important to contact a pest management company that has an IPM certification.”
According to the University of California, cockroaches are among the most common household pests.
