German cockroach: A, First stage; B, second stage; C, third stage; D, fourth stage; E, adult 

 female: F, female with egg case; G, adult with wings spread. ( 1 Vi times natural size.) 



Boric acid and borax 



Finely powdered boric acid and 

 borax act slowly and are generally 

 less effective than other insecticides 

 against cockroaches. 



These materials are sometimes 

 mixed with ingredients that are at- 

 tractive to cockroaches, and com- 

 pressed into tablets to be used as 

 bait. The powders or bait tablets 

 may give satisfactory results when 

 used in places where there is little 

 food for cockroaches, such as in 

 office buildings. 



Phosphorus paste 



Phosphorus paste is usually effec- 

 tive against all cockroaches except 

 the German cockroach. It is espe- 

 cially effective in damp climates. 



Buy the paste and spread it on 



small pieces of cardboard. Roll 

 the cardboard into cylinders with 

 the paste inside. Fasten each cyl- 

 inder with a rubber band or string. 

 Place the cylinders where cock- 

 roaches can get to them, but not 

 where children and pets can reach 

 them. When brown-banded cock- 

 roaches are present, put the cylin- 

 ders behind books, on closet shelves, 

 and in framework of upholstered 

 furniture; tack them to the backs 

 of cabinet drawers. 



Prepared by 

 Entomology Research Division 



AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE 



This leaflet supersedes Leaflet 144, 

 Cockroaches and Their Control 



Washington, D. C. Issued March 1958 



Slightly revised September 1964 



* U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1964 OF — 738-803 



For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office 

 Washington, D.C., 20402 - Price 5 cents 



