What are the Least Toxic Methods of Cockroach Control?

      Controlling a cockroach infestation is not simply a matter of aesthetics. Large indoor cockroach populations are one of the leading causes of allergies, asthma and other bronchial disorders in humans. Additionally, cockroaches are capable of carrying disease organisms and bacteria on their bodies and in their fecal material. The presence of cockroach populations in and around urban structures is an indication that cockroach food, moisture and harborage resources are present. These conditions allow pests to proliferate and lead to cockroach population explosions.

Until recently, efforts to suppress cockroach populations in the urban environment have relied almost exclusively on repeated applications of synthetic pesticides.
There are two methods of Cockroach Control:

• The Principle Cockroach Pest Species. In order to deal with any particular infestation it is important that the cockroach pest be properly identified so that most appropriate and least toxic control methods can be applied. There are 41 cockroach species present in the state of Florida, of these only about 6 are considered pests. These pest species can have very distinct behavior and habitat preferences.
  
  
• Cockroach Prevention: Exclusion and Sanitation. Long term prevention of cockroach infestation is the best means of ensuring a cockroach free environment. This is most easily accomplished by means of exclusion (preventing cockroach entry) and sanitation (elimination of cockroach resources). Not only will these measures prevent a future infestation, they will also help to reduce an existing cockroach problem.