Before treating for oriental cockroaches in a residential garage, what is the technician's best practice?

Prior to treating for oriental cockroaches in a residential garage, advising the customer to store dog food in a sealable container is a prudent practice. Cockroaches are attracted to easily accessible food sources, and unsecured dog food can serve as a significant attractant, potentially undermining the treatment's effectiveness. By removing or securing food sources, the technician reduces the likelihood of reinfestation, ensuring that the treatment can achieve better results and that pests are less likely to return.

Taking additional steps, such as sealing cracks and conducting a full inspection, are often important parts of an integrated pest management plan, but they become more effective if there are no immediate food sources attracting the pests. Using a strong pesticide without addressing attracting factors might lead to temporary results, but the pests could remain or return if favorable conditions, like available food, persist. Therefore, storing food properly is not just a preventative measure but a crucial part of comprehensive pest control.