Cockroach Management for Hawker Stall in Seksyen 24, Shah Alam

Cockroach Management — Seksyen 24 Hawker Stall Case Study

The stall owner contacted Mr Pest Control Shah Alam after discovering American cockroaches running across the food prep counter during closing hours. The situation had been building for weeks — the owner had tried over-the-counter sprays but the cockroaches kept returning, seemingly from behind the cooking equipment and underneath the storeroom shelving.

The Problem

The hawker stall — a cooked food stall operating in the Seksyen 24 commercial area — had been running for about four years. The layout included a gas cooking station, an open washing area, and a small rear storeroom used to store dry goods and cleaning supplies. When our technician visited for a free inspection, the findings were clear.

Key observations from the site inspection:

• Active American cockroach activity behind the gas cooking station and underneath the floor drainage channel
• Cockroach droppings and egg casings (oothecae) found in the storeroom shelving cracks
• Cockroaches spotted along the wall junction between the washing area and external drain
• Previous DIY spray had caused cockroaches to scatter into new harborage areas, worsening the spread
• High moisture behind the cooking station was providing ideal breeding conditions

The Seksyen 24 area has a concentration of food stalls and commercial kitchens, and cockroaches can migrate between adjacent units through shared drains and wall cavities. Once established, they multiply quickly in warm, humid kitchen environments.

Our Approach

We recommended a three-method treatment programme for cockroach control designed specifically for food-handling premises:

1. Gel bait application in all harborage zones — placed as small dots inside cracks, behind equipment, and along shelving joints where cockroaches harbour and feed.
2. Residual spray applied to non-food contact surfaces — wall-floor junctions, behind equipment, drainage channels, and the storeroom perimeter.
3. IGR (Insect Growth Regulator) mixed into the treatment to disrupt the cockroach breeding cycle, preventing nymphs from developing into reproductive adults.

All products used are food-safe when applied correctly and registered with the relevant Malaysian authorities. The stall was cleared for reopening on the same evening after treatment had dried.

The Treatment

Our technician arrived after the stall closed for the afternoon break. The treatment process took approximately 2.5 hours:

• Thorough inspection: All cockroach activity zones were mapped before any chemical was applied.
• Gel bait placement: Applied in 30+ points throughout the kitchen — behind the stove, inside cabinet hinges, along the rear wall channel, and inside the storeroom shelving units.
• Residual spray: Applied to all non-food surfaces and drainage entry points using a low-pressure misting wand to minimise chemical drift.
• IGR treatment: Mixed into the drain flush and applied along floor-wall junctions to interrupt the cockroach life cycle.
• Operator advisory: We advised the owner on sanitation improvements — particularly sealing the gap between the external drain cover and the internal floor channel.

Results & Outcome

At the 2-week follow-up visit, cockroach activity had reduced by over 90%. A small number of dead nymphs were found near the storeroom shelving — evidence the IGR had worked to disrupt the breeding population. Gel bait points were refreshed in two locations where activity had been highest.

By the 4-week mark, the owner reported zero cockroach sightings during operating hours. The stall passed its subsequent hygiene inspection without any pest-related citations. We recommended a quarterly maintenance programme to prevent reinfestation, particularly given the proximity to other food stalls and the shared drain system in the area.

"Before this, I was embarrassed every time I saw a cockroach near the counter. Jason's team sorted it out properly — they explained what they were doing at every step and I could see the difference within a week."
— Stall Owner, Seksyen 24