How to get rid of cockroaches
Finding cockroaches in your home or business can be distressing, and as known carriers of diseases like salmonella, dysentery and gastro-enteritis they pose a significant health risk. They are also tough little insects and able to breed very quickly, which means only a professional pest control treatment will be powerful enough to eliminate them.
What do cockroaches look like?
Cockroaches stand out from other beetles because of their long, whip-like antennae. They have flat, oval bodies and move with a fast, jerky gait. The two types of cockroaches most commonly found in the UK are German and oriental cockroaches. The main difference between the two is their size: adult German cockroaches are 10-15mm long and common oriental cockroaches are nearly twice as big at 20-14mm long.
Signs of a cockroach infestation
Cockroaches are often found in warm, indoor environments, usually in kitchens where food is stored or handled. They also love the heating ducts and boiler rooms of large centrally heated buildings like hospitals, hotels, restaurants and blocks of flats.
Cockroaches will spend most of the day hiding in cracks and around drains and service ducting. They are most active at night which is often when they do most of their scavenging, but if a light is turned on they will scamper away to hide.
If you have a heavy cockroach infestation you may see them scurrying about during the day. Other signs of an infestation include cockroach eggs, which are brown and about 10mm long, their excrement which looks like black pepper, and you may also notice a strong, sour smell.
Oriental and German cockroaches can be found together, but generally the German cockroach prefers warm, humid environments, while the oriental cockroach prefers cooler places such as basements and drains.
Scientific name
Blattodea
Life span
The life span of a cockroach is approximately one year
Did you know
Cockroaches can run up to three miles in an hour, which means they can spread germs and bacteria throughout a home or business very quickly.
How to prevent a cockroach infestation
It’s always better to prevent a cockroach infestation before it starts, so make sure your premises are clean and that there are no obvious food sources or hiding places. Plug small cracks around baseboards, cupboards, pipes, sinks and water heaters with latex or silicone sealant. Larger holes will need to be patched. Move debris, firewood and rubbish away from the house and out of kitchens.
How to get rid of cockroaches
If you think you already have cockroaches then you need to contact a professional pest control company to get rid of the infestation for you, as we can use products and solutions that eliminate all stages of the cockroach lifecycle.