Along with bedbugs, cockroaches are the most annoying household pests. They are difficult, but not impossible to control. A popular brand for pest control is "Combat."
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Types of Combat cockroach control products
Combat brand products are available in three forms: aerosols, gels, and traps. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a closer look.
Aerosols
This company's sprays are designed to combat crawling and flying insects. Moreover, the aerosols are effective against more than just a specific species. For example, "Combat" is effective against crawling insects, not just cockroaches, but also bedbugs and house ants.
Sprays are convenient because they allow you to spray the product anywhere. The can is equipped with a flexible nozzle, the direction of which can be changed to spray the aerosol up or down, and also to limit the spray area - this will prevent staining of unwanted surfaces.
Cockroach aerosol is the most effective way to control them.
The downsides of using them are that no one should be in the room during treatment, even with gentle options. Furthermore, aerosols only kill adult cockroaches. This means that new cockroaches will soon hatch from the eggs laid, and the treatment will have to be repeated.
- COMBAT SUPERSPRAY. Fast-acting and effective. The active ingredients are imiprothrin and cyphenothrin, which are low in toxicity to animals and humans. The spray is even recommended by the Ministry of Health for use in childcare facilities. The manufacturers promise equal effectiveness for both indoor and outdoor use.
- COMBAT SUPERSPRAY+. A reinforced formula of COMBAT SUPERSPRAY that not only controls insects but also kills bacteria and fungi. Tests have shown that within 15 minutes of spraying the spray onto a surface, almost 100% of mold, fungi, and bacteria are killed. Otherwise, the product is identical to COMBAT SUPERSPRAY.
- COMBAT MultiSpray. Effective against both crawling insects (cockroaches, bedbugs, ants) and flying insects (flies, mosquitoes, wasps, moths). Insects die almost immediately upon contact. It has a mild lemon scent. The active ingredients are permethrin and tetramethrin. The manufacturers do not specify the degree of hazard to humans, but permethrin and tetramethrin are mildly toxic.
Instructions for use:
- Before spraying, remove food and personal items that come into contact with the skin to a place inaccessible to the substance.
- There should be no animals in the room; aquariums and terrariums should be covered with a tight-fitting lid, and aeration should be turned off.
- The treatment is carried out using a respirator or gauze bandage.
- Close windows, doors and ventilation, if any, to prevent the product from escaping before it takes effect.
- Spray the surface from a distance of 20 cm.
- After 20 minutes, the room is ventilated.
The treatment can be repeated after a month.
Gel
The most popular product in the Combat line is the gel. It's a favorite among cockroach fighters due to its numerous advantages:
- The packaging in the form of a syringe-dispenser allows you to apply the product without getting it on your hands;
- one package is usually enough to treat an apartment;
- The gel does not emit toxic fumes and does not irritate the respiratory tract.
The narrow tip of the syringe dispenser allows you to apply the gel to hard-to-reach places
The principle of the gel's action is that it is attractive to cockroaches and at the same time poisonous to them. They consume the substance and transfer it to other cockroaches, poisoning the entire colony. However, the cockroaches don't die immediately, but rather within one to two weeks, and the gel is ineffective against other insects.
The product retains its effectiveness for three months. It is non-toxic, as the active ingredient, hydramethylnon, is safe for humans.
The rapid spread of cockroaches is facilitated by their reproductive system: a male only needs to fertilize a female once, and she will be able to lay eggs for the rest of her life. This is because the genetic material received from the male cockroach is stored in special parts of her body for the rest of her life.
Instructions for use:
- Apply in dots at intervals of approximately 2 cm along the baseboard.
- If it gets on your skin, wash it off with plenty of water and detergent.
- Reapplication is possible after one and a half months.
Traps
They are available in two variations: COMBAT SUPERBAIT (4, 6, or 12 traps per package) and COMBAT SuperBait 6 DECOR. The latter features a laminate-like appearance and an improved design. The active ingredient, like in the gel, is hydramethylnon. The principle of action is also similar: cockroaches, running into the trap, ingest the poisonous substance and transfer it to other cockroaches on their legs and antennae. The effect is noticeable within a week or two.
Traps are available in packages of 4, 6 and 12 pieces.
Instructions for use:
- Unpack the trap.
- Place or attach in any desired location.
Traps can be placed anywhere in the apartment. They are most often placed in secluded spots favored by cockroaches: behind furniture, in the bathroom, behind the stove, and in the kitchen. The main advantages of this product are safety and ease of use.
Cockroaches can survive 2 weeks without water and 3 weeks without food.
Safety of use
All Combat cockroach control products are low-toxic to humans and most pets. According to the manufacturer, hydramethylnon, an ingredient in the Combat gel and traps, is virtually non-toxic to humans, even if ingested. However, it is a chemical, and standard safety precautions should be observed when handling it: avoid swallowing, rinse it off skin, and keep out of reach of children.
The substances included in the "Combat" products are safe or relatively safe only for humans and warm-blooded animals; they are very toxic for fish and reptiles. When using aerosols, it's best to relocate such pets to a different room or choose a different type of Combat. People with allergies and respiratory conditions should also avoid contact with sprays. At the very least, keep medications on hand just in case.
The cockroach's body is very different from the human one, so scientists have been able to create cockroach poisons that are harmless to humans.
If, after using any product, you experience fever, weakness, skin irritation and itching, tremors, headache, cough, swelling, or other deterioration in health, consult a doctor. Before doing so, drink plenty of clean water. If Combat is swallowed, the same precautions apply.
Reviews
When dealing with cockroaches, I always use an aerosol spray in addition to traps about once a quarter. Before Combat, I bought Raptor. It's deadly not only for cockroaches but also for people. Even two layers of mask didn't help; a suffocating cough interrupted my treatment several times. Combat turned out to be more economical and "friendly" to people. But it didn't spare the cockroaches. They crawled out of every crack, half-dead. I didn't like the "lemon" smell; it would have been better not to scent the room at all. I've already treated the room three times, all with one spray. I recommend this cockroach treatment, but unfortunately, the cockroaches reappear within a couple of days.
I tried countless cockroach control products, but they didn't produce any noticeable results. They'd disappear for a while, but then the infestation would return. On the advice of a salesperson, I bought some cockroach gel, and lo and behold—they started disappearing. I was also advised to spread small amounts of the gel on paper to make cleaning up easier afterward. This turned out to be very convenient—I spread it in areas where the pests congregated, and after a while, I could repeat the process. That's exactly what I did. Now we live without these nasty creatures. What a joy! Try it and see the results. It's inexpensive and very easy to use.
On the advice of friends and salespeople, I bought Combat traps; they were the most expensive of those offered in the store. The traps last for two to three months. According to the instructions, I placed the traps in the correct quantity. Two weeks have passed, and there's been no change. The cockroaches are scurrying around, no dead ones have been seen, and the number hasn't changed. Perhaps this is a misunderstanding or a counterfeit, as they should at least have some effect. I'll try buying them again at a different store to dispel any doubts.
If you have toddlers or pets in the house, traps are ideal. If you need a quick response, use aerosols, following the instructions. Gel, on the other hand, is a universal, slow-acting, safe, and effective solution.
