Roach problem in Ocean Township, NJ apartment.

Challenge

Recently, I was contacted by a property manager for an apartment building in Ocean Township, NJ to treat a cockroach infestation in a now-vacant unit. Cockroaches are nocturnal insects that prefer to live and feed in the dark. If you’ve ever seen a roach infestation, you’ll see them quickly scatter away to their hiding spots when the lights are turned on. So, often, when starting an inspection, there aren’t many signs of a roach infestation. Here, I saw some roach waste deposits behind the stove, refrigerator, and under the kitchen sink. If you see roaches during the day, it’s usually a sign of a very heavy infestation.

Solution

I proceeded to spray all around the trim, fixates, and baseboards prior to flushing all the voids and cracks in the walls. I used a non-repellent and also a growth regulator. Roaches are a challenging infestation, and the over-the-counter products found in hardware stores are generally ineffective. Products must be able to be applied deep in those cracks and crevices where they are hiding and breeding. I then proceeded to apply an aerosol to all of the voids, openings, fridge compressor, and behind the stove. Finally, I baited all of the cabinets. 

Usually, it takes a few minutes for the roaches to come out of the fused areas. But here, it was a heavy infestation and the roaches came out in droves almost immediately. I observed hundreds of roaches coming out from everywhere in a final attempt to escape. of course, the products had taken effect, and the roaches would be dead shortly. This job is a lesson that if you see one roach, there are likely hundreds more hidden in the home. These insects breed at exponential rates and it is important to treat a roach infestation as early as possible.