Pest Control Basics - Cockroaches

Regular pest control treatments in your home can prevent a population explosion of cockroaches.  While

cockroaches in the colder parts of the country go through a dormant period in the winter, here in the Valley of the Sun, we can find these creepy critters in our homes year-round.  Cockroaches can aggravate allergies, and where there is one roach there can quickly be many, many more.

Roaches can enter your home through cracks, crevices and pipes, or by hitching a ride in a box or grocery bag.  Once cockroaches are in your home, they just need warmth, food and water to survive and thrive, reproducing at an alarming rate.  Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures, so unless you are up all night, you won’t see how many roaches are actually scurrying around.  And of course, many will be in cabinets, closets, bathrooms and behind walls where you can’t easily spot them. 

Because cockroaches are great at hiding out and hiding their eggs in spots you just can’t get to, they are tough to get rid of.  Pest Control professionals are your best option for dealing with an invasion of cockroaches, and better yet, routinely scheduled pest control treatments will prevent the problem from starting in the first place.

Can Pest Management be “Green”?

Believe it or not, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created a Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program, and one valley pest management company was one of the very first to become a member of the Program. Invader Pest Management has submitted their five-year goals to the program, and is also in the process of becoming Green PRO certified through the National Pest Management Association. Green Pro certification requires strict compliance with comprehensive standards for safety and reliability.

Many homeowners do not want potentially harmful chemicals used on their property if it is not absolutely necessary. Invader uses a strategy called Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which uses a variety of methods to control pests while reducing reliance on pesticides. IPM begins with knowing pests! A thorough inspection of the home and property by an Invader professional can identify sanitary and other conditions that attract or enable pests to enter your home. By addressing these issues first, pests can be stopped before they become a problem. Non-chemical controls such as glue boards can be used if necessary, and certain biological controls such as aphids and pheromones are often effective against pests. Use of low-impact materials is discussed with the homeowner, and the Invader professionals keep up continued monitoring and communication with the homeowner.

The company has a variety of programs available to homeowners, including the All Green Program, which is 100% organic, using only natural plant oils and extracts recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The professionals at Invader can work with homeowners to discuss the best options for whatever pest issues they may have at any given time.

Taking care of the environment and maintaining a healthy home environment has become increasingly more important to homeowners, and companies like Invader provide a great option for going green.