Against the German cockroach, the most common species in kitchens and bathrooms, bait gel is now the core technique. It combines a highly attractive food base with an insecticide. Cockroaches feed on it, go back to their shelters and pass the product on to others.
This discreet application is a real advantage in an occupied home as well as in a restaurant kitchen, provided a few simple rules are followed.
Why gel does not force you out
The technician places small drops right next to the hiding places: cupboard hinges, under the sink, behind the fridge and dishwasher, motors, cable runs. The total amount is small, the product stays where it is placed and gives off no fumes.
Your precautions during treatment
To keep the gel attractive and safe:
- Do not wipe the gel dots with a sponge or detergent in the following weeks.
- Do not use shop-bought sprays: they repel cockroaches and spoil the bait.
- Keep children and pets away from the areas shown in the photo report.
- Do not leave dirty dishes or crumbs out overnight: the gel should be their easiest meal.
What to expect after application
Seeing more cockroaches for a few days, even in daylight, is common: poisoned insects leave their shelters. The eggs, however, are protected inside a capsule (the ootheca) that the gel does not reach. A second visit is therefore planned to deal with the young that hatch after the first application.
When spraying is needed
In a cellar, a bin store or a very heavy infestation, the technician may add a targeted spray. You will then be asked to leave the rooms concerned during application and until it has dried, and to air them before going back in.
For a restaurant or food shop, the visit can be scheduled outside service hours. Food-contact surfaces are protected, and the photo report can go straight into the establishment's hygiene file.
Key points
- 01Gel does not evaporate: you can usually stay at home.
- 02No cleaning of the gel dots, no shop-bought sprays.
- 03More cockroaches visible at first is an effect of the treatment.
- 04A second visit targets the young from the egg cases.
This article gives general information, up to date on its publication date. It does not replace legal or medical advice tailored to your situation.