Sherwood Chemicals offers a range of products that work together to beat cockroach infestations – without the need for bait.
German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) remain one of the most challenging urban pests faced by pest managers. Their rapid reproductive rate, behavioural adaptability and increasing resistance to conventional insecticides mean a considered and well-informed approach is needed.
While baits are often the first product pest managers reach for when faced with a German cockroach infestation, they can take 1-2 weeks before they start to impact the population. Customers often demand immediate results, and Sherwood Chemicals has developed a combination of products that delivers fast long-lasting performance, offering pest managers a powerful alternative approach – even against resistant populations.
Effective suppression of German cockroach populations requires more than surface-level treatments — it demands a biologically informed strategy that targets the insect at multiple life stages. Sherwood Chemicals’ Clearout Plus IGR Aerosol and Clearout Plus IGR Dust deliver a dual-pronged, dual active approach – in combination they eliminate cockroaches present at the time of application and provide long lasting protection by interrupting the life cycle. This prevents the re-establishment of an infestation by new cockroaches moving into the area.
Clearout Plus IGR Aerosol contains fipronil and the insect growth regulator (IGR), pyriproxyfen. Although fipronil is a non-repellent, Clearout Plus IGR Aerosol still delivers a flushing effect due to the compressed LPG and solvent carriers, which rapidly alter the microenvironment within harbourages and force cockroaches into the open. Fipronil will eliminate cockroaches hit with the spray and those that walk across treated surfaces. Because fipronil is non-repellent, exposed cockroaches continue normal movement and grooming, facilitating horizontal transfer within dense populations.
Pyriproxyfen is an insect growth regulator that mimics juvenile insect hormones, effectively interrupting cockroach development. It is very effective even at low levels and has long residual activity, and is typically still active long after fipronil effectiveness has diminished. By containing the dual actives of fipronil and pyriproxyfen, Clearout Plus IGR Aerosol both reduces German cockroach infestations immediately, and gives long-term of disruption of the maturation process. Affected cockroaches will often moult into nymphs that display ‘curly wing’, an indication that the IGR treatment has taken effect.
In areas where aerosols are unsuitable, such as near electrical motors, electrical equipment, ovens, or in open-flame zones, Clearout Plus IGR Dust can be used. The unique dust formulation allows for excellent penetration of harbourages, infiltrating voids as narrow as 1-2 mm due to the dust’s low particle mass and low surface tension.
Clearout Plus IGR Dust contains permethrin, a pyrethroid that delivers a flushing effect. In dust form, permethrin adheres strongly to the insect cuticule and surfaces, giving fast control and excellent residual performance. Sherwood’s E-Duster applicator (main picture, above) ensures precise delivery, allowing particles to reach deep harbourages where reproductive females and early instars typically reside.
As with the Clearout Aerosol, the inclusion of pyriproxyfen again ensures long-lasting residual and elimination of cockroaches moving into the area, ensuring the population remains suppressed.
Key to success with this approach is a thorough inspection, to identify all harbourage and potential harbourage areas. A surface spray using Clearout Aerosol to adjacent non-food preparation surfaces is also advantageous.
Pest managers know that chemical treatments alone aren’t enough to beat a German cockroach infestation – non-chemical approaches are needed too. Cardboard is a favourite of cockroaches, as it presents a significant nutritional source thanks to it being rich in cellulose and capable of absorbing organic residues. Moving cardboard boxes out of affected areas is an important step, as is reducing moisture sources. Fixing any leaks is essential. While cockroaches can survive a month without food, they can only last a week without water.
Drains often serve as additional cockroach feeding sites. ClearOut Probiotic Drain Foam uses microbial action to target organic biofilms, removing a key nutrient source for cockroaches. At the same time as treating drains, measures should be taken to seal gaps around pipes, vents and service penetrations to reduce potential insect entry points and harbourages.
The combination of Clearout Plus IGR Aerosol and Clearout Plus IGR Dust gives managers a powerful alternative to using traditional gel baits. Together, the products target adult cockroaches while giving long-term performance by disrupting the cockroach life cycle. Combined with high standards of inspection and making changes to the immediate environment, pest managers can use these chemical measures to effectively keep German cockroach populations under control.
