Elton Arderne, Business Development Manager for Sherwood Chemicals, outlines a simple four-step approach for targeting cockroaches in challenging commercial accounts.
Controlling cockroaches in a commercial kitchen is no easy task. With a number of gels, sprays, baits, dusts and foams on the market, it pays to have a clear strategy. At Sherwood Chemicals, we’ve developed a range of products specifically designed to meet the challenge of controlling crawling pests, particularly cockroaches, in commercial accounts. Comprising an aerosol, gel bait and foam, the Clearout range (together with our Shieldrite foam) is designed to work together to deliver results when a simple four- step approach is taken.
Step 1: Clear them out
After undertaking a thorough clean and inspection, the key to successfully treating cockroaches in kitchens is to find their harbourages. Typical hotspots include under benches, cutlery trolley wheels, under fridges, and other small gaps. Spending time to identify active harbourages and treat them directly will be a major step in getting on top of the problem. Using a non-repellent product such as Clearout Crawling Insect Aerosol will be compatible with complementary baiting placements.
Clearout Crawling Insect Aerosol was designed to be a cost-effective, non-repellent residual spray that comes in an easy to use pre-mixed solution. The Rambo ip-up nozzle allows accurate application into the cracks, crevices and hard to reach places favoured by cockroaches.
The aerosol has been designed to deliver a quick knockdown when directly applied to a cockroach. The major reward a technician will benefit from is the fipronil residual that is left on the surface when the cockroach moves away. Passing insects will be affected and die within hours, helping to control adults and nymphs until the next treatment.
Step 2: Fill the void
Voids are pockets of space where cockroaches and other insects like to hide. A surface spray will not reach deep enough into these voids, so using a foam insecticide to fill the voids makes for a more thorough cleanout.
Shieldrite Crawling Insect Foam has been designed as a non-repellent residual foam with a thin stainless steel wand that can fit into unusual cracks and crevices, such as cracks in the tilework under a sink or where machinery butts up against a surface. Having the ability to treat the backside of areas that cannot be seen gives pest managers confidence in their treatment, especially when treating for notoriously difficult German cockroaches.
Step 3: Bait
Cockroach gels are a key part of a cockroach control program as it is often impossible to locate and treat all potential cockroach hiding places. Baits target foraging cockroaches to deliver insecticide to these hidden harbourages.
As formulation specialists, we know that the bait matrix is the most important element of any cockroach bait. To create a successful bait it needs to be highly palatable in order to compete with the plentiful attractive food sources in a commercial kitchen. When designing Clearout Cockroach Bait we trialled a large number of food sources and used this data to create a highly palatable bait that uses the non-repellent active ingredient fipronil.
The trick to successful application of a gel bait is to use small dots in multiple areas. This gives the best results; over application can be messy and unproductive. In particular, German cockroaches will feed better if the dots are small.
Step 4: Clear out the drains
While some pest managers may feel that steps one to three have addressed the cockroach problem sufficiently, there is one more step in delivering a thorough cockroach treatment – removing potential food sources.
Drains in commercial kitchens are breeding grounds for bacteria that feed on decaying organic matter and detergent scum. They make an ideal food source for cockroaches (and drain flies, too).
Clearout Probiotic Drain Foam digests fat, oils, grease, sludge and other organic matter that attracts crawling insects. The drain should be rinsed with warm water, then the foam applied to the drain walls. The applicator nozzle has been updated and improved, with the new flexible nozzle making it even easier to apply. The probiotic bacteria within the foam will create enzymes within 15-20 minutes that will digest the organic matter, out-competing the ‘bad’ bacteria for the available nutrient source, leaving the drains completely clear with the fresh scent of apple.
This multi-purpose foam makes for an effective maintenance tool in commercial kitchens. Drain cleaning is an easy add-on to a standard treatment and only serves to deliver a more successful outcome with your cockroach treatments.
Elton Arderne, Business Development Manager, Sherwood Chemicals
