Vacuuming an Important Part of Integrated Cockroach Management, PMPs Report

CLEVELAND – An important part of an integrated cockroach control service is vacuuming.  As noted in the PCT Field Guide for the Management of Structure-Infesting Cockroaches, vacuuming provides the following benefits:

• An immediate reduction of the cockroach population.
• Reduces the reproductive potential of the population.
• Removes both susceptible and insecticide-resistant cockroaches.
• Can be accomplished without vacating the premises.
• Reduces the number of dead or dying cockroaches the customers will see.
• Reduces the level of allergens present when a HEPA filter is used on the vacuum.

Sixty-five percent of those who responded to PCT’s recent poll said they vacuum as part of their cockroach control service strategy.

On PCT’s LinkedIn page, veteran PMP Ed Chesiek posted: Vacuuming is an integral part of pest management.

Vacuuming is particularly beneficial at initial services in homes or facilities where the cockroach population is at a moderate to high level.

Retired service professional Ed Johnson posted on PCT’s LinkedIn page: I only would vacuum if there were a great amount of dead carcasses.

Consultant Chelle Hartzer, 360 Pest and Food Safety Consulting, reminded that when it comes to vacuuming, like every pest issue and every tool, nothing is perfect for everything. “In severe infestations, you absolutely want to use a vacuum. The physical removal of those cockroaches means that many fewer to breed and continue spreading. It will also take care of some of their food source,” she said, however, in less severe cases "it won't have as great an impact for the time invested. Whether the conditions call for it or not, the customer still needs to do cleaning on their own. Just because you use a vacuum doesn't mean that they don't need to.”

Aside from physically removing some of the cockroaches and some of their food sources, vacuuming can provide a bit of a "fresh start," at the account, Hartzer said. “By eliminating live and dead individuals, you can start to see where the main problem areas are when you return. Glueboards won't be totally full of individuals so you can more accurately see the differences in different areas and population changes. Additionally, by vacuuming their food source, they are more likely to go to baits and encounter residual treatments.”

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