Cockroach Control Service
Cockroach Control Service Guide
Please download the guide to review all general information and the section related to your specific pest.
How Much Does It Cost?
Two-Treatment Cockroach Service Plan
- Out of Service Area +100$
- Additional Living Units +100$ per unit
• Customers may sign up for Seasonal Pest Maintenance for ongoing coverage.
• For the first visit, vacate the home for 2-3 hours or until the spray has dried.
• Whether to vacate for the second treatment will be determined during the initial service.
• The second visit is generally 3-5 weeks after the first visit.
• We ask that you give each treatment 3 weeks to judge the results. Established populations can take a month to get 90% control.
• The warranty is dependent on sanitation issues. Failure to follow the preparation guidelines voids the warranty. The customer will be notified if sanitation issues are found during the initial visit. In this case, the customer can switch to a one-time service. If they keep the two-visit plan, there are half-price follow-ups for additional retreatments (visits past the 2nd) within those 90 days. Pictures of the sanitation issues are taken and attached to the invoice.
One-Time Visit/ Single Service Cockroach Control
- Out of Service Area +50$
- Additional Living Units +50$ per unit
• Property Management companies and most rentals- default to the one-time visit option.
Cockroach Service Recommendations
- We recommend the two-visit plan for homes that can be vacated, and the preparation guidelines are complete.
- For a budget-friendly option, choose the one-time visit and call back as needed. Also, choose the one-time visit if the home cannot be vacated or if there are sanitation issues that would compromise the warranty.
Examples of sanitation issues that would compromise the warranty include grease on/ around the stove, water leaks under the sink, garbage cans not regularly emptied, and cockroaches inhabiting untreatable household items.
Add-On Services for Cockroaches
Exterior Treatment
- Add $100$. This includes spraying the foundation level and around first-floor windows and doors.
- Granular bait and dust may also be applied, but it is left to the technician’s discretion. Dust is applied under the siding and around door frames. Dust is also used in place of spraying along the foundation from November to March.
HEPA Vacuuming
- This can be added to any service for $100 per half-hour of vacuuming, and it is billed at a minimum of $100. This is for manual removal of live/dead cockroaches only.
Vacating The Home for Cockroach Treatments
- If the home cannot be vacated, we only treat the kitchen, bathroom, and basement. This is in agreement that occupants will not enter treated rooms until the spray has dried.
- We cannot spray in rooms that cannot be vacated until the spray has dried.
- When cockroaches are found in rooms other than the kitchen and bathroom, we recommend vacating the entire home.
- We recommend vacating the home for 2-3 hours for the initial service. That allows us to be thorough without restrictions due to occupants.
- The home must be vacated for the initial visit if choosing the two-visit plan.
Where We Treat Inside For Cockroaches
- Basement: We focus on the box sill and subfloor (basement ceiling) under the kitchen, bathroom, and infested area. We also treat under the hot water tanks, furnaces, washers and dryers, and freezers or fridges.
- Kitchen: We try to avoid contaminating food preparation surfaces and food. Note to customers- After any spray or dust application, please wipe food preparation surfaces before use. Products are applied along the kick plate of cabinets, above top cabinets, behind and around the stove and fridge, under baseboards, inside empty cabinets (without food, plates, pots, etc.), ceiling-wall junction, and around door and window frames. Again, we focus on treating crevices as opposed to surfaces.
- We cannot move refrigerators with water lines attached or gas stoves. However, we can attempt to pull out appliances with a low risk of damaging the floor. Otherwise, we spray under and around it as best as possible. We cannot attempt to move stoves by pulling the door handle.
- Bathroom: We treat around the shower frame, cabinets, toilet, baseboards, ceiling/wall junction, door, and window frames, and where water lines enter the wall for both the shower and sink.
- Other rooms: Focus is placed on the baseboards, ceiling/wall junction, under couches, door frames, and windows, including top of blinds.
Cockroach Control Solutions
Cockroaches cluster inside crevices, so we treat every possible crevice in affected areas. We combine many control methods into our practice- manual removal with HEPA vacs and Sticky traps, cultural controls with our preparation guidelines, and a mix of chemical controls. Products with different modes of action are rotated when more than two treatments are required. This prevents pesticide resistance and bait aversion, which is common with cockroaches. The technician determines the products we use, and we do not guarantee the use of any specific product.
Liquid Residual Pesticide Application
Our default spray mixture is a tank mix of Alpine WSG 30 grams per gallon and Tekko Trio 1 ounce per gallon. Other products are used when ongoing treatments are required.
Liquid residual pesticide spray applications are used as the primary means of control. It is used in areas allowed by the Label. We focus on applying control products into crevices instead of treating only the surfaces. Areas that cannot be sprayed are baited.
Gel Bait
Baits should not be applied where over-the-counter sprays have recently been used or where they can encounter household cleaners. Doing so will likely reduce the bait’s palatability, reducing bait consumption.
Vendetta Nitro is our bait of choice. Gel bait is applied behind objects attached to walls, such as pictures, paintings, smoke detectors, and posters. Other areas are modems, video game consoles, TVs, knife blocks, coffee makers, stoves, microwaves, and other small appliances, under the front lip of countertops and refrigerators, inside cabinet bases, cabinet door hinges, corners, and wherever feces and roaches are found that cannot be sprayed.
Insect Monitoring Strips
These help manually remove cockroaches and monitor for new activity. Approximately 2-6 strips are placed in suspected hotspots of the home. Good locations are the sink/ counter area, around the fridge/ stove, by the microwave, and in the sink cabinet base. Active traps are replaced at each service.
Other Less Commonly Used Products
- Gentrol Point Source can be applied behind refrigerators or under the sink in cabinet bases. It discharges an insect growth regulator vapor that controls the juvenile life stages and twists the wings of the adults.
- Granular and dry flowable baits can be applied to crevices where other products would not reach. Granular bait may be used but is less effective than other product formulations. It is usually reserved for behind and under cabinet bases/ kitchen subfloors. Both are used as reserve treatments for better application to specific areas.
- Dust may be necessary for severe infestations, nagging problems, reoccurring infestations, or where a longer residual is required. It should be used only when there is no risk of occupants breathing in airborne dust (45-minute reentry time). We use Alpine Dust, Nibor D, Or Cimexa Dust.
When electric outlet and light switch covers do not sit flush with the wall, cockroaches will inhabit them. Sometimes, bait can be used. Otherwise, we remove the covers and dust into the wall void. We do not dust in the electric box itself.
Dust can be applied to crevices around cabinets and dishwashers. And where pipes go into walls, under sinks, under baseboards, and into window and door frames.
Watch our Cockroach Service YouTube Video
The most critical factors for the customer to focus on are
- Regular garbage removal.
- Minimize water sources. Water leaks under the sink are a leading contributor to infestations. This also includes not leaving wet rags, sponges, and dishes in the sink overnight.
- Avoid cooking with oil and grease. Most homes with cockroaches have cooking oil/ grease accumulations on and around the stove. If you cook with oil or grease, it is crucial to clean up afterward.
German Cockroach Preparation Guidelines
Before Treatment
- Plan to vacate during the initial service.
- Discontinue applying over-the-counter pesticides.
- Perform a general cleaning of infested rooms. Clear clutter.
- Remove and dispose of infested items stored in cabinets (upper and lower), pantries, drawers, and storage bins in kitchen and bathroom areas. Place these items in plastic bags. Seal each bag and place it outside.
- Vacuum all areas as you remove the items. This will eliminate roach feces and carcasses. You can even vacuum up live roaches. Immediately empty the vacuum bag into a sealed container- outside.
- Take everything off the stove. Clean the stove of any grease/ food debris.
- Pick up and remove pet food dishes and food not in sealed containers.
- Take all garbage outdoors and place it away from the structure.
- Clear all counter space, except microwave ovens, blenders, and other electric utensils. Knife blocks should be left on the counter as roaches hide in them.
- Clean behind and under the refrigerator, stove, and other home appliances.
- Repair any plumbing leaks before arrival.
After Treatment
- Make sure all liquid pesticide applications are dry before reoccupying the area.
- Clean up all dead roaches, preferably by using paper towels. Remove all egg cases. 30 – 45 eggs are in each egg case.
- Wipe down food preparation surfaces before use.
- Take garbage out every day. Keep outdoor receptacles away from home.
- Do not leave pet food or water in a feeding dish overnight. Once the dish is opened, transfer pet food to a tightly sealed container.
- Run the dishwasher regularly.
- Do a clean sweep for water every night. Empty and dry the sink and counters. Do not leave moist towels and sponges in infested areas.
- Get rid of all boxes that store food. You are better off with the cereal bag than the box. Roaches love boxes, even ones that appear sealed. They love to get under the flaps, which is ideal for laying eggs.
- Keep food in tightly sealed containers or Ziplock bags.
- Clean spilled food from floors and counters. We place bait in certain areas for the roaches. If you leave even small crumbs, they will not eat the bait.
- Discard any cardboard boxes immediately.
Service Area
Our service area is inside the purple line. We service homes outside of the purple line. However, a “trip charge” will be incurred to account for longer drive times.
Out of Area “Trip Charge”
For locations outside the purple line- up to forty minutes from the office, a “trip charge” of $50 per visit applies for single services and non-warrantied follow-up visits. Add $100 for multi-visit service plans. We do not service homes over 40 minutes away. During the busy April-October season, we might be unable to service homes outside the purple line. We are likelier to take jobs to the West than jobs further away to the South or East.
For multi-family homes (duplexes and apartment buildings), extra units can be added for $50 for single services or $100 for multi-visit service plans (per additional unit).
Customers can purchase multiple services to be performed during the same visit. When bundled, receive 20% off the lesser service. An example of this is mouse control coupled with an ant treatment.
Allow an arrival window of a half-hour before and after your scheduled appointment time.
Depending on your service, you should receive an email/ text reminder 3 days or 1 day before your scheduled service. However, our software sometimes fails to send these reminders. You are responsible for keeping track of any appointments that you plan.
- For initial/ single services, if we arrive at the job site and cannot gain access to the property (if required), there will be an $80 missed appointment fee. This must be paid before scheduling any future service.
- If access is required but not provided for any follow-up visit, the warranty becomes void and counts as one of the follow-up visits. In this case, extra visits can be purchased within the 60 or 90-day service period for 1/3 of the original cost.
- Follow-up visits must be scheduled within the service period (60 or 90 days). It is the customer’s responsibility to make sure all visits are scheduled.
- As with all appointments, allow an arrival time of half an hour before and after the scheduled appointment time. We wait for unavailable customers for 15 minutes before counting the visit as a missed appointment.
Most pest control services have a warranty or come with half-price follow-up services within 60 days. Except for rats and wildlife, please allow two weeks for control before requesting follow-up service (one week for ants).
- Most pesticides have a residual, which means they keep working after they dry. The average lifespan of a residual pesticide application is 20 days. Most of our pesticides cannot be reapplied for 2-4 weeks.
- Pests also have a lifecycle, which means it can take time to see results. For example, sprays don’t kill newly laid bed bug eggs. Likewise, flea pupae are immune to most pesticides. It can take two weeks for ant and yellowjacket colonies to collapse.
- If ants go away after the treatment, but return within the warranty period, please allow 3-5 days before requesting a follow-up. The new ants often encounter the previously applied product and dissipate a few days later. If we have left you with a bait station, please place this device where you see the activity.
Different pests are active during certain times of the year, and pesticide applications only last so long. This is why we offer maintenance plans to manage your pests year-round.
We will inform the customer during the initial service if sanitation or other factors compromise the warranty.
- For any pesticide application, keep children and pets out of the treatment area until the treatment has dried/ settled out of the air. Depending on the application, this can take 45 minutes to 4 hours.
- Please secure dogs so they cannot physically contact our technicians.
- It is the customer’s responsibility to provide all responsible parties (tenants) with the preparation guidelines. They are also responsible for providing access and ensuring occupants are ready to vacate the premises if needed.
- Please follow all customer preparation guidelines and instructions. For more details, see the section related to your service.
Suppose a customer or other structure(s) occupants believe they are or may be sensitive to pesticides/termiticides or their odors. In that case, the customer must notify Lakewood Exterminating LLC in writing before service, including whether the customer or other occupants have consulted with a medical doctor or other healthcare provider regarding such sensitivity. Upon receipt of such notification, Lakewood Exterminating LLC reserves the right to deny or terminate service. Failure to provide notification represents the customer’s assumption of risk and waiving of claims against Lakewood Exterminating LLC in connection with such sensitivity.
- After completing the service, we will return to our vehicle to write up your invoice. Here, you will find information such as our time on site, weather conditions for exterior pesticide application, inspection findings, materials we used for control and their locations, completed repairs, documented notes, and recommendations. This will be sent to the phone number and email address on file.
- We ask that you pay at the time of service. We accept checks, cash, or credit cards. We require a signed invoice and credit card on file if you cannot pay at the time of service. If you are a landlord or responsible party but will not be present for the appointment, please put a card on file during the scheduling process. Payments will be run after the initial service is complete. Receipts are sent via email. If you have used our services with a history of timely payments, you may be invoiced/ pay online. If we invoice you, payment is due in 2 weeks.
- For large commercial properties and apartments with more than six units, the cost per service starts at $200 per hour of labor- plus materials costing over $30.
- Small offices and stores are generally priced the same as homes.
- Restaurants and similar establishments require an on-site visit to provide an estimate. There is usually an initial service fee plus a monthly maintenance fee, which starts at $100.
- If you are receiving a pesticide application, remember that employees, customers, and other occupants must stay out of the treatment area for a few hours until the spray dries. Our available times for treatments are generally 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
- For rentals, the customer is responsible for coordinating with the tenants, providing access upon arrival, giving tenants the preparation guidelines, and ensuring they properly prepare and vacate.
- Tenants cannot schedule service without the landlord’s permission. The only exception is if the lease states that pest control is the tenant’s responsibility.
- For any rodent or wildlife issue, the customer must be the landlord.
- We require a credit card on file if the landlord is absent for the appointment.
Exterior Pesticide Treatments are performed from March through November, weather permitting. At all other times, an interior treatment will be applied for most common household pests.
Many pest problems can be diagnosed over the phone or by email for free. If you are unclear about which service your problem falls under, please email pictures to support@lakewoodexterminating.com. Our owner also provides phone consultations upon request. Please reach out through the contact form on our website to speak with our Owner.
If you require a site visit to diagnose a pest issue, there is a $99 plus tax fee. This includes an inspection/ consultation. A price quote will be provided to remedy problems as needed.
Getting Rid Of Roaches On Your Own Is A Nightmare
- The last thing you need is someone coming over and finding out that you have roaches.
- Gross bug spray from the store is the worst way to get rid of roaches.
- Unless you know exactly what to do, roaches do not go away quickly or easily. How much longer do you really want these around?
The Different Kinds of Cockroaches
There are approximately 30 different species of cockroaches living among us. Cleveland is home to 4 species, especially the German Cockroach. The American Cockroach also requires structural cockroach control. The black Oriental Cockroach is rare, yet still worth mentioning.
Oriental Cockroach
These large black roaches require cool temperatures with high levels of humidity. Oriental roaches spend their life outside, causing little harm (if any). Generally speaking, cockroaches are beneficial in nature — as long as they stay outdoors and out of your home. You see, cockroaches are great at breaking down organic debris, and Oriental cockroaches are no exception. However, during cooler weather, Oriental cockroaches sometimes venture indoors. If you find one or several within a structure, it’s often directly related to the cool, damp environmental conditions on the building’s exterior. Thick leaf accumulation against outside walls also provide them a habitat and encourages them to move inside.
German Cockroaches
Who would ever imagine that a tropical insect could thrive so well in Cleveland, OH?! German cockroaches have many tricks up their sleeves to make a cozy life here. If they find the right home, they honestly don’t ever need to go outside. The warmth of your refrigerator keeps them warm. The grease on the side of your stove gives them nourishment. And they get plenty of water from the leak under your sink. On top of that, they’ll eat nearly anything. (Not to mention the fact that they can go about a month without eating at all!)
American Cockroach
People sometimes refer to American Cockroaches as water bugs or Palmetto bugs. They are the largest cockroach found inside our homes. With that being said, they are rare in residential areas of Cleveland. These creatures love old commercial buildings above all else. Since these critters come up through the sewers, infested structures commonly carry a musty odor. On a similar note, they also drag around raw sewage, which can cause food-borne illness. Many people with an American Cockroach problem will often mistakenly assume they have a mouse problem, because their feces appear similar. However, roach droppings have ridges.
Tips And Tricks
Habitat modification and sanitation are essential to controlling cockroaches. Focus on eliminating all of their hiding spots.
- Create a complete seal around kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
- Seal underneath the sink where the plumbing lines go into the walls.
- Install foam weatherstrips behind electrical outlet covers.
- Clean grease residue off of stoves.
- Do a clean sweep of water every night in the kitchen and bathrooms for 30 days.
- Do not spray with over-the-counter products, as most of them are pyrethroids. These sprays are known as repellents. While they kill on contact, most insects tend to avoid contacting the spray after it has dried. Pyrethroids will also contaminate baits. If you try to control these pests on your own, stick to baits.
Learn More About Cockroaches In Cleveland, Ohio
Cockroaches in Ohio: Facts & Information
Cockroaches in Ohio - Information and Facts Characteristics Let's begin by mentioning that cockroaches are a primitive form of insect. They date back to 320 million years ago. Yet today's cockroaches are not much more adapted than the cockroaches of ancient times. For instance, they are still a common insect that is tolerable to a wide range of environmental conditions. That is how they survive. Contrary to popular belief, they are not immune to nuclear bombs. In regard to this, they are much more resistant to radiation than humans are. As you can see, their [...]
Cockroaches can find their way into homes in various ways. They can hitch a ride inside grocery bags, boxes, secondhand appliances, or furniture. Also, cockroaches can enter homes from the outdoors through cracks and crevices, vents, sewer and drain pipes. Living in apartments, you could inadvertently get cockroaches from your neighbors as well.
Cockroaches can be brought in with grocery bags, boxes, and secondhand items.
They can enter through cracks, crevices, vents, and pipes.
Apartment living may expose you to cockroaches from neighboring units.
Cockroaches are more than just a nuisance, they pose several health risks. They can contaminate food with bacteria leading to illnesses like food poisoning, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues. Some people are allergic to cockroaches, causing skin rashes, sneezing, and eye irritation. In severe cases, their presence can trigger asthma attacks, particularly in children.
Cockroaches can contaminate food, leading to gastrointestinal illnesses.
Some people may suffer allergic reactions to cockroaches, including skin rashes and eye irritation.
Their presence can trigger asthma attacks, especially in children.
The time it takes to fully eradicate cockroaches can vary greatly depending on the extent of the infestation and the methods used. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Professional pest control services usually require multiple visits to ensure all cockroaches, including eggs and nymphs, are eliminated.
Eradicating cockroaches can take from a few weeks to several months.
The time depends on the extent of the infestation and the methods used.
Professional pest control services typically require multiple visits.
The lifecycle of cockroaches involves three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. The female cockroach lays an egg case, known as an ootheca, which can contain numerous eggs (the exact number varies by species). Once hatched, the young cockroaches, or nymphs, undergo several molts before reaching adulthood. Depending on the species and environmental conditions, a cockroach’s lifecycle can range from a few months to over a year.
The cockroach lifecycle involves three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
Females lay an egg case, or ootheca, with numerous eggs.
The lifecycle duration can range from a few months to over a year, depending on the species and conditions.
Cockroach control involves a combination of sanitation, home repairs, and over-the-counter or professional treatments. Start by removing food and water sources, cleaning regularly, and sealing cracks and crevices where roaches can hide. You can use cockroach baits and traps, or hire a professional pest control service for more serious infestations.
Control starts with sanitation, cleaning regularly, and removing food and water sources.
Sealing cracks and crevices helps to eliminate hiding spots for roaches.
Over-the-counter baits and traps, or professional pest control services, can be used for treatment.
Even the toughest German roach infestations are no match for our exterminators.
Our unique treatment knocks down pesticide-resistant strains of roaches by strategically combining and rotating pest control tactics.
Cleveland Pest Control Services
Child And Pet-Friendly Treatments From Trusted Exterminators
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Lakewood Exterminating, 13443 Detroit Ave., #8, Lakewood, OH 44107
Cleveland Pest Control Services
Child And Pet-Friendly Treatments From Trusted Exterminators
Lakewood Exterminating, 13443 Detroit Ave., #8, Lakewood, OH 44107