COCKROACHES AND THEIR CONTROL 5 



Fumigation 



For the immediate elimination of roaches in tight rooms there is 

 noting better than a thorough fumigation by a professional fumigator. 

 Fumigations are expensive, however, and in congested areas, where 

 reinfestation is apt to take place quickly, the expense is seldom war- 

 ranted. In more loosely constructed buildings the fumigant usually 

 escapes so fast that the eggs of roaches, protected in the egg capsules, 

 are not killed, and a second fumigation about 3 or 4 weeks later may 

 be necessary. 



Crack Fillers 



Crack fillers, such as putty, plastic wood, or plaster of paris, can be 

 used effectively in closing many openings used by roaches as avenues 

 of escape to hiding places. These cracks and openings can be located 

 by watching the roaches run for concealment. Fill all cracks about 

 water and steam pipes passing through floors, cracks leading to spaces 

 behind baseboards, door and window trim, etc. This is particularly 

 important if roaches are coming into the room from adjoining apart- 

 ments, through wall spaces, along the plumbing, or beneath doors. 



Sodium Fluoride Powder 



Sodium fluoride powder is the best all-round cockroach remedy. It 

 is poisonous to man if taken internally in sufficient amounts, and it 

 should be kept out of food and away from children and pets, but if 

 used carefully in roach control, no harm will follow. It may be applied 

 with a small duster or bellows, or, better, with a modern electric power 

 duster with an extension rod so shaped that the powder can be blown 

 into the hiding places rather than about the room. It can be sprinkled 

 by hand along the back of shelving, drainboards, etc., where roaches 

 run most frequently, but dusting the hiding or congregating places 

 affects more roaches at one time, and they die rapidly when the powder 

 is blown directly upon them. However, when the powder is placed 

 where the roaches run over it, it kills chiefly as a stomach poison. It 

 sticks to their bodies, and in cleaning themselves after running over 

 it they transfer the powder to their mouths and thus swallow it. As 

 a stomach poison it is slow but sure. Sodium fluoride powder is the 

 basis of most effective roach powders sold under various trade names. 

 It remains effective indefinitely in dry situations but in very damp 

 places it may cake over and become useless. Applying the powder in 

 the evening is advised, and it is best not to clean it up for 2 or 3 

 days. The application should be repeated at intervals of a week or 

 two until all roaches disappear. Usually one or two thorough treat- 

 ments are sufficient. 



Pyrethrum Powder 



Pyrethrum powder, used in the same way as sodium fluoride, is 

 excellent when thoroughly applied to the hiding places or to the 

 roaches themselves. It quickly stupefies the roaches. They usually 

 turn on their backs, and although they live for some time, they even- 

 tually die if thoroughly treated. The stupefied roaches should be 

 swept up and destroyed several hours after treatment before those 

 least affected can revive. Pyrethrum powder is a safe remedy and will 

 not injure man or pets. Upon exposure to air it loses its effectiveness 

 after some days, and only fresh, finely ground powder should be used. 

 It can be most thoroughly applied by means of an electrically operated 

 dusting machine. 



