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Do you need to get rid of cockroaches in your property? Cockroaches are hardy and can be difficult to remove yourself. Off-the-shelf remedies are available, but often an untrained person will not get to the roaches or their eggs in hard-to-reach areas. This means the cockroaches will still continue to survive and multiply.
If you suspect you have cockroaches, please contact us for help straightaway. Our experienced pest control technicians are qualified to the stringent standards laid down by the British Pest Control Association (BPCA). They will assess your premises and detect the locations of the roaches and their eggs. They have access to specialist tools and treatments and can apply the correct one for your situation.
Cockroaches or roaches are more common than you think. There are thousands of different species of cockroach to be found all over the world. Not all of them are pests. However, the two most common types of cockroaches found in the UK, which are pests, are the Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) and the German cockroach (Blattella germanica).
They are found in human habitats and prefer the warmer temperatures offered inside a building. They can be found hiding around heating ducts, pipes, stoves, sinks, and humid areas like bathrooms.
Cockroaches can pose a direct health risk to humans. They are known to carry bacteria, such as salmonella, staphylococcus, and streptococcus. As they search for food and water, they will contaminate everything they encounter. This could be your food, utensils, and surfaces.
Any habitat that offers warmth and a food source is attractive to cockroaches. They particularly like businesses that handle food and drink. In these environments the danger is multiplied as the increased public footfall means more people can fall ill from the bacteria spread by cockroaches.
If you have a cockroach infestation the most obvious sign is when you see them scuttling across the floor of your premises. However, they are nocturnal, so it is possible for them to go undetected for a long time. It is important to recognise other signs to help you deal with the problem quickly.
On top of their distinctive, unpleasant, musty odour, you should look out for droppings. Smaller cockroach droppings look like little black dots. They are often compared to ground coffee or black pepper. The larger roaches will have bigger droppings, that are more like black grains of rice. If you have an infestation, they will be easy to spot on your floors, surfaces and cupboards. Droppings may also be mixed with cockroach skins. As they grow, cockroaches shed their skins up to 8 times.
If you are infested with the Oriental Cockroach, you may spot egg (ootheca) capsules. The eggs are dark brown and approximately 13mm long. However, if your pest is the German cockroach, you are less likely to find eggs. The German Cockroach carries its eggs until they are ready to hatch.
There may also be damage to food bags or packaging as they burrow into them to feed.
Cockroaches are attracted to warm spaces where there is a food source. They can get into a building through the smallest of cracks by flattening their exoskeletons.
The first thing to do to keep cockroaches away is to continually keep all areas within your premises clean, tidy, free from crumbs and spillages. Remember to vacuum under cupboards, cookers and fridges where food crumbs gather. Any food should be stored in sealed containers and in cupboards or the fridge.
Rubbish should be in sealed bags and put into bins with lids. Empty your bins regularly.
Check your premises for gaps, cracks or holes that could be a good entry point.
You can also talk to us today about preventative pest control measures. There is no faster way to lose the reputation of your business, than a pest infestation such as cockroaches.
