Cockroach Pest Control Services
The two most common types of cockroaches in the UK are the German cockroach and the oriental cockroach. German cockroaches love both heat and moisture and are often found close to heating systems when hiding in human inhabited buildings. They can easily hide pretty much anywhere thanks to their ability to swim, climb, and crawl on pretty much any surface type.
Nocturnal by nature, if you do see a German cockroach, the chances are it will be at night when they are most active, but other signs such as droppings, egg casings, and a strange almond-like smell are often noticed before the insects themselves.
Spot the signs of a cockroach infestation
- Droppings – cockroach droppings are 2mm long, cylindrical and dark brown/black. If there is easy access to water the droppings might appear as a dark brown irregular shaped smear.
- Unusual smell – A lingering unpleasant musty, oily or almond smell may signal an infestation.
- Seeing a cockroach during the day – they are nocturnal so if they are feeding during the day then you might have an infestation
- Signs of damage or nibbled food.
- Shed skins and egg casings – cockroaches shed their skin 5-8 times as they grow into adults. They also lay several eggs inside an egg-case called an Ootheca, which is approx 6-9mm long and has ridges like a worm’s skin.
What to do if you have a cockroach problem
Unfortunately if you definitely have cockroaches you will need professional help to get rid of them. ‘Roaches are very good at hiding and they will disappear at the slightest hint of trouble. They can also survive for up to a month without any food, so you might think you’ve won the battle, only for new cockroaches to hatch out and begin the cycle again.
It’s true that there are DIY remedies available but these are often limited in their effectiveness. They often involve hazardous chemicals or traps which need to be placed in very specific areas in order to work. Most insecticides are more toxic to humans and pets than they are to cockroaches.