Cockroaches Decision Guide

This guide is intended for project managers considering whether they want to measure cockroach levels in homes and, if so, what homes should be the focus of their efforts.  The Cockroach Sampling Instructions provide step-by-step instructions that the Hazard Investigator needs in order to get the job done properly.  CEHRC’s Cockroach Background Materials offer added reference information.

• Why trap them?  Traditionally, cockroaches were only controlled because they were offensive, left behind an awful smell, and caused gastrointestinal and respiratory illness.  Small infestations were often tolerated.  However, the latest research shows that the traditional approach ignored the more serious hazard – that cockroach debris (old shells, body parts, and droppings) triggers asthma attacks in people who are sensitized to cockroach allergen.  With asthma rates growing, especially among children and African Americans, the hazard posed by the presence of any cockroaches must be addressed. 

• Which homes should be checked?  Any home with food or moisture in it can have cockroaches.  Often, apartment buildings have the worst infestations.  A home where a resident has asthma and says cockroaches have been spotted should be the highest priority.  If an apartment building is to be sampled, it is best to test more than one unit.  If only one unit is tested, the landlord may claim that only that unit is infested and put the blame for the problem solely on the one tenant.  Some housing codes put the responsibility for killing the cockroaches on the tenant if the tenant’s unit is the only one infested.    

• What training is required?  Hazard investigators should have training to follow the Sampling Instructions to determine the extent of a cockroach infestation, and they need training to understand how to control cockroaches.  Most state Cooperative Extension agencies or local housing inspection agencies are willing to offer a short training class on cockroach identification and control at no cost.

For the purposes of remediation, some states require that the hazard investigator be certified or be supervised by someone who is certified. 

See www.epa.gov/pesticides/safety/applicators/statepro.htm for your local agency.  It is important to check with your state and make it clear that you are not charging the owner or tenant a fee and that you are with a non-profit organization. 

• How much does it cost?  Beyond training, there are few start-up costs.  The cost of supplies is about $10 per home.  The supplies should be available at any hardware or grocery store.  

• Any limits on scheduling of visits?  The visits can be done at any time of the year.  However, you will require two visits between two and seven days apart, with at least one night in between.

• Are there standards?  No one has established standards or guidelines for the number of cockroaches trapped.  However, most pest control operators use traps to monitor for cockroaches.  The infestation categories used below were developed by CEHRC.  These categories are based on the experiences of pest control operators and research.  However, there is no solid research connecting the number of cockroaches in the trap to the amount of cockroaches in the home.  In addition, the trap numbers do not relate directly to the likelihood of an asthmatic person getting an asthma attack.

Category               Cockroaches Trapped

• How useful are the results?   The goal is to keep cockroaches out of a home and to eliminate those that are there while keeping residents safe.  Reaching this goal is not easy, especially in low-income, multi-unit housing that is already infested.  Normally, it will take a coordinated effort from the landlords and tenants to eliminate cockroaches.  Getting their support takes compelling evidence.  A trap full of cockroaches coupled with a count of the number of cockroaches provide that compelling evidence. 

• Are there any safety concerns to Hazard Investigator?  Trainees must be willing to handle traps with live cockroaches on them and be willing to reach into the tight spaces where cockroaches live.  Since hazard investigators will be working around cockroaches and cockroach debris, those with allergen-induced asthma who are sensitized to cockroach allergen are at a greater risk of having an asthma attack and should not conduct the test.

• What other potential downsides must be considered?  In contrast to most housing-related health hazards that are entirely the responsibility of the property owner, controlling cockroaches depends on effective action by tenants as well as landlords.  For most apartment buildings, the landlord must take a building-wide approach to controlling cockroaches.  At the same time, tenants need to keep their units clean and avoid leaving out food.