A Guide to Utah Commercial Cockroaches. Thorn in Utah County

Cockroach infestations can feel scary. Roaches spread quickly and have an easy time coming and going, especially in specific commercial locations. Whether you own a Utah apartment building or manage a local grocery store, cockroaches are something you want to avoid as much as possible.

Cockroaches in Commercial Settings

As for pest control, each commercial setting presents its unique circumstances. Any number of the following commercial locations can experience a cockroach issue:

• Apartments and multi-family housing
• Food-processing plants
• Schools and colleges
• Office buildings
• Government buildings
• Hotels, lodging facilities, and Airbnb spots
• Restaurants
• Grocery stores
• Hospitals and other health care buildings
• Manufacturing plants
• Warehouse settings

SOME QUICK ADVICE FROM THORN: Commercial cockroach control is a delicate balance.

Treating roaches in a commercial setting takes thorough inspection and thoughtful planning. Using the wrong methods (or the right ones in excess) can do more harm than good.

Don't be afraid to ask for help with a roach issue in your Utah business. Cockroach infestations can feel out of control, but Thorn Pest Solutions Utah County is here to bring some calm to the cockroach-fueled chaos! Reach out to us in Utah County, and one of our pest specialists would be happy to help you troubleshoot the causes of your commercial cockroach headache.

What Are the Causes of a Commercial Cockroach Problem in Utah County?

While there are some general rules for what causes roaches to move into a business, there is no simple answer to this question.

Ultimately, every business location is different. The following conditions can allow for the easy spread of cockroaches:

• People coming and going
• Goods being shipped in or out
• Food prep or deliveries
• Accumulations of cardboard (especially produce boxes)
• Unaddressed moisture issues
• Creeping in through cracks and crevices

Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Business

To perform Utah cockroach control properly, several steps must be taken to achieve pest control success.

• Inspection and Identification - This is the first and most crucial step of any pest control program. Without knowing what pest is present, there's no way to know what treatment methods should be used. Pest control methods are specific to whatever pest is causing you trouble. Identifying what pest is present and where they are hiding is the foundation for an effective pest control plan.

• Education and Communication - It doesn't matter what business you operate. Whether you have staff, tenants, or maintenance people, everyone needs to be on the same page regarding getting rid of roaches. Cockroaches are good at infesting and moving around. If staff or residents are not prepared to report what they're seeing and help make the necessary changes for ongoing cockroach control, you may be fighting a losing battle.

• Targeted Chemical Application - Often, cockroach control involves some level of chemical control to get a handle on things. This often means using the right amount of bait in the right areas. While some pest control companies will apply liquid applications, baits are far more effective for most cockroach problems and do not work well in tandem with liquid treatments. Baits allow for a low-stress, low-disruption method of cockroach control that's better for your patrons and your business.

• Monitoring and Follow-up - This part of the process is often overlooked, but it shouldn't be. Monitoring during follow-up visits allows pest professionals to ensure the baiting program does what it should. Without monitoring, there is no way to know if the cockroaches have moved on from your business or just moved to a more secluded hiding spot.

Common Cockroaches in Utah Businesses

German Cockroaches

If you have cockroaches inside your business space, you are likely dealing with German cockroaches.

German roaches are found worldwide and are the most common cockroach in the United States. They regularly infest structures where shelter, warmth, and food can be found.

When trying to identify German cockroaches, look for the following characteristics:

• 5/8 inch in length (16mm)
• Light brown in color
• Two dark stripes right behind their head

Compared to other cockroach species, German roaches lay more eggs and mature faster. Under the right conditions, German cockroaches can complete their cycle from egg to mature adult in less than 40 days!

As the primary infesting roach in Utah, these cockroaches love kitchens and are commonly found near sinks, appliances, water heaters, and other moist, warm locations.

American Cockroaches

Occasionally found in tandem with German roaches, American cockroaches are the biggest inside-infesting roaches. While these roaches are found in southern Utah, they are not typically found in Northern Utah.

American roaches are known for popping up both inside and outside and are likely to move indoors when the weather becomes too hot or if there is flooding. If American cockroaches migrate indoors, they will likely be found in basements and first-floor areas.

In terms of appearance, American cockroaches are:

• 1 inch to 2 inches long (38-50 mm)
• Reddish brown in color
• Fully grown adults have wings

American cockroaches, sometimes called "palmetto bugs" in certain parts of the U.S., are commonly found in wet, secluded areas such as basements and sewers, especially around pipes.

Are you finding large and unexpected numbers of giant roaches in your cellar or storage areas just after heavy rains? These are likely American cockroaches.

Oriental Cockroaches

Like many cockroaches, oriental roaches are often found in moist, dark, hidden areas. Also referred to as "water bugs" and "black beetles," these roaches enjoy hiding out in cool, damp places like leaky pipes, drains, faucets, sewers, cellars, and crawl spaces.

It's easy to get different types of cockroaches confused with one another. If you think you might have oriental cockroaches in your building, consider their features:

• 1 inch long (25mm)
• Dark brown to black in color
• Wings that are not as long as their body (or may appear absent)

Commonly found in large numbers around leaks in basements, cellars, and crawl spaces, it can be hard to keep these pests away if moisture is present. Seek to make the environment unfavorable to them by increasing airflow and sunlight to areas where you are finding oriental cockroaches.

Brown-Banded Cockroaches

Reported throughout the United States, these roaches are not the most common but are worth a mention. These roaches are not as wary of people and will hide in areas like pantries, cupboards, showers, and behind picture frames.

Some distinct differences set these roaches apart from the rest:

• Males are capable fliers, especially when disturbed
• .5 inches long (13mm)
• Distinctive yellowish-brown stripes on the wings

More commonly found in bedrooms (where they will even lay eggs in bedding), brown-banded cockroaches are nowhere near as widespread as German cockroaches but are sometimes found right alongside them.

How to Keep Roaches Away From Your Business

Once an ongoing treatment plan is put in place to remedy an existing cockroach issue, it's time to devise a plan to keep them from returning. Take the following precautions:

• Make sure all the doors in your business have good sweeps and do not allow cockroaches to enter.
• Ensure all utility lines coming into the building are well sealed to prevent roaches from coming in and out.
• Use cockroach traps for monitoring.
• Vacuum existing cockroaches and their egg cases using a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
• Dispose of trash and keep garbage areas tidy and away from the building.

Get Rid of Roaches in Your Utah Business

Nobody wants to be dealing with a cockroach issue. If you're finding roaches in your business, you probably wish they were gone yesterday.

No need to shut down your business to deal with a roach issue. Here at Thorn, we specialize in cost-effective, eco-conscious pest control methods that will get the job done without causing excessive disruption to the day-to-day of your business.

Need someone to help educate your staff or tenants about ongoing cockroach control after treatment? We're here to help with that too! We stay up to date on the latest and greatest pest control information and are actively involved in the Utah Pest Management Association.

Did you know we wrote a reference guide on commercial pest control for business owners like you? We're Here to Help, so please, don't hesitate to contact us. We can help spare your reputation and get your business pest control needs back on track.