Cockroach Pest Control Service
Despite the common notion that cockroaches are the only thing capable of surviving a nuclear blast, it is in fact a myth. But that does give you an insight into the hardy nature of these vile pests – and their well-earned reputation for being difficult to get rid of once you have an infestation.
Cockroaches pose a direct risk to your health and are notoriously tricky to fully exterminate from your premises, so it is critically important to deal with them hard and fast as soon as you discover them.
To help give you a better understanding about these highly unpleasant pests, DALPEST Pest Solutions experts have collated everything you need to know about pest cockroaches – including the signs of a cockroach infestation, tips to avoid them entering in your property, and what to do if you suspect you have a cockroach problem.
Cockroaches are pests throughout the year in the UK. They do not like being exposed to the elements, so they opt to live in buildings rather than outside.
Cockroaches are generally nocturnal, preferring to stay in the dark during the day before coming out at night to feed. This makes it difficult for you to spot them within your property.
However, there are a few tell-tale signs to look out for if you are concerned about the potential presence of cockroaches:
- Droppings: Cockroach faeces can either be solid or liquid. Look out for 1mm-sized black droppings, similar to ground coffee, or small, dark smear marks on surfaces and floors.
- Horrible smells: Large cockroach infestations generate a uniquely unpleasant, pungent odour.
- Cockroach egg shells: Also called an ootheca, these brown casings can hold up to 40 eggs and resemble a seed less than 1cm long. They are most likely found in dark, moist, warm areas.
- Shedded skeletons: Cockroaches moult several times during their lifetime, and these discarded exoskeletons will most likely be found close to where they are nesting.
- Damage to belongings or chewed food: Cockroaches will eat and nibble just about anything, so keep a keen eye out for any chewed food, packaging materials, paper, clothing, leather, pet food, and pet droppings.
How DALPEST pest solutions deal with cockroaches
Proofing measures
Spray treatments
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Gel bait
If you are suffering from cockroaches in your property, the expert pest control team at DALPEST Pest Solutions are on hand to help.
It is important to get an understanding on the level of infestation you’re encountering in order to plan the best course of action. So we will begin by carrying out an inspection of your property and problem areas, including the use of sticky pads to monitor and assess cockroach activity.
We then deploy a combination of gel bait and spray treatments to kill the cockroaches, whilst also eliminating their food and water sources. This can lead to a domino effect, as starved cockroaches will turn to eating dead ones, thus ingesting the poison themselves.
Finally, we will advise you on how to minimise the risk of the cockroaches finding their way back into your property.
What to do if you suspect you have a cockroach problem
Cockroaches can very quickly go from hazardous nuisance to major infestation – and as time goes by, they only become more difficult to remove. So it is very important to act quickly if you suspect you have cockroaches nesting in your property.
Sticky traps can be used to help monitor infestation levels, but are not a long-term solution to a cockroach problem. Instead, you should:
Keep checking on potential cockroach nesting sites, such as behind the fridge and oven, kitchen storage areas, laundry appliances, sinks, and around pipework.
Securely seal your food, remove any accessible pet food, and remove all potential water sources. Although cockroaches can survive for months without food, they will only last a few days without water – so cutting off their supply is critical.
Broken tiles, cracks in walls, holes in brickwork, and gaps around pipework, skirting boards and cupboards should all be completely fixed or blocked to prevent cockroaches from getting in. You should also weather strip doors and windows.
This will help remove any cockroach eggs to minimise their rapid reproduction.
- Undertake a deep clean of all potential and confirmed problem areas, paying special attention to any food preparation areas to reduce the risk of food poisoning. The cleaner your property, the lesser the chance of cockroaches appearing.
We are experts in cockroach pest control and will safely and efficiently remove any infestation using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques. We will then advise you on how to stop cockroaches from returning.
Why choose Dalpest pest solutions?
Rapid response available - we get to you quickly
British Pest Control Association (BPCA) members
Highly-skilled, experienced pest control technicians
100% child, pet and environment friendly
Education, not just eradication
Five-star customer service for all pest problems
Why Dalpest?
Rapid response available - we get to you quickly
British Pest Control Association (BPCA) members
100% child, pet and environment friendly
Highly-skilled, experienced pest control techs
Education, not just eradication
5-star customer service for all pest problems
Tips to avoid encouraging cockroaches in your property
As with other pests, prevention is always better than the cure. To keep cockroaches away from your home or business, maintain a strong level of hygiene and follow our top tips:
Thoroughly clean surfaces regularly, tidy away dirty dishes, and don’t leave potential problem areas (such as behind the fridge and under the oven) messy or littered with crumbs.
Carefully clear away any crumbs and spills, ensure all food is stored in sealed containers, empty bins regularly and make them inaccessible, and repair any leaking pipes or taps.
Sealing cracks in walls, gaps around pipework, and other routes from the outside is vital to keeping cockroaches out of your premises.
What are the dangers of cockroaches in your home and business?
Cockroaches pose a major risk to your health and wellbeing. They are well-known carriers of disease and bacteria which are mostly associated with food poisoning, including Salmonella and E. coli. Cockroaches’ tendencies to feed on decaying waste and survive in sewers and bins also means they leave a dangerous trail of germs wherever they go.
Cockroach faeces can also trigger dangerous allergic reactions in people who suffer from asthma, plus dealing with an infestation can cause immense levels of stress.
A cockroach infestation is devastating to businesses too, which is why business owners have a legal duty to keep premises free of these horrible pests. As well as the reputational damage an infestation can cause a business, restaurant, hotel or similar, it could also lead to Environmental Health Officers shutting down the premises.
Put it this way: if you saw cockroaches coming out of the kitchen of your favourite restaurant, would you ever want to go back?
Facts about cockroaches
- There are around 4,600 species of cockroach worldwide.
- The two most common types of cockroach in the UK are the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) and the Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis).
- German cockroaches grow to around 13-16mm long and are light brown/tan in colour.
- They tend to feed off meat, starches, sugars, and fatty foods. They also eat each other if there is a shortage of food, leading to a domino effect of killing cockroaches when they are poisoned.
- Oriental cockroaches grow to around 18-30mm long and are a shiny dark brown or black in colour.
- They favour cooler temperatures and often travel through sewer pipes, feeding on decaying waste and organic matter.
