North Carolina pest control company offers homeowners $2,000 to allow it to release approximately 100 cockroaches into their homes. This is in an effort to test a treatment method.
ThePestInformer Raleigh stated in a notice that technology is constantly improving and they are always on the lookout for new ways to eliminate pests (cockroaches in particular).
According to the company, it wanted to test a particular pest control method by releasing 100 American cockroaches into five to seven homes. According to the notice, it wants to "test out how effective this treatment"
David Floyd, founder and CEO of ThePestInformer, stated to NBC News Monday that more than 2,200 applicants had applied for the offer.
The application page will be available until July 31st, at which time employees will "spend some quality time sorting through all of the applications."
The company stated that applicants must either own the property or have written permission from the homeowner. They also stipulated that they will not attempt any other cockroach treatments during the study.
Floyd stated that the company has introduced cockroaches before to homes of family and friends to test out new pest control methods.
He said he hopes to test about 10 new treatments. These treatments "are more DIY and can be purchased by anyone, and are safe for family members and pets."
The trial will last approximately a month. If the cockroaches remain, the company will offer traditional treatment options for free.
It's not clear which method The Pest Informer uses to test for pests, or if anyone has taken up the offer.
According to Western Exterminator Co., American cockroaches is one of five most widespread cockroach species in America. The country has 55 species. There are over 4,000 types of cockroaches worldwide.
According to Pestech Pest Solutions, American female cockroaches lay approximately 16 eggs per month for a period of 10 months.
