Why German Cockroach Treatments Fail: Smarter Control with Jorge Bedoya

Tonight's Episode

🎙️ Pest Perspectives EP 09 –

In this episode of the Pest Perspectives Podcast, Shaun Muller is joined by Jorge Bedoya, Operations Manager at New York Exterminating in Brooklyn, for a detailed conversation about German cockroach control, pest management in New York City and the importance of truly understanding pest behaviour.

Jorge explains how he progressed from working weekends in pest control while attending college to becoming a licensed operator, operations manager, consultant and specialist trainer. He also discusses how pest control licensing works in New York and why larger residential buildings are required to have ongoing pest management programmes.

The main focus of the episode is German cockroach control. Jorge challenges the common reliance on repeated perimeter spraying and explains how some insecticide applications can redistribute cockroach populations into unexpected areas, leading to missed activity, repeat infestations and expensive callbacks.

Shaun and Jorge discuss:

• Why spraying alone may fail to eliminate German cockroaches
• How cockroach populations can move after treatment
• The role of insect growth regulators
• Why cockroach behaviour matters during inspections
• Using red light, vacuuming, monitoring and targeted applications
• Preventing reproduction and population rebound
• Reducing unnecessary insecticide use
• Cockroach control in restaurants and apartment buildings
• The importance of unbiased monitoring
• Why technicians should specialise and continue learning
• Pest control licensing and regulations in New York
• Training the next generation of pest management professionals

Jorge also shares how studying German cockroach biology helped him develop a more targeted approach designed to achieve high levels of control during the initial treatment, while using considerably less insecticide than traditional spray-led methods.

This is an informative and thought-provoking episode for pest control technicians, business owners and anyone interested in German cockroach behaviour, integrated pest management and improving treatment results.

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