PEST CONTROL FOR COCKROACHES

 

There are over 3,000 varieties of cockroaches worldwide, thankfully there are only 3 known cockroaches in the UK, these are the German Cockroach, the Oriental Cockroach and the American Cockroach.  

 

Cockroaches are a high risk pest to have in homes, schools and kitchens which is why DRE Pest Control in Cambridge provide effective pest management solutions for homeowners, businesses, restaurants, hotels and pubs to reduce the risk of diseases spread by cockroach infestations.

The German Cockroach

• 12 – 15 mm long
• Light brown in colour
• 2 dark strips on the thorax
• Able to climb smooth surfaces
• Occasionally fly

The Oriental Cockroach

• 20 – 30 mm in length
• Dark brown to black in colour
• Tend to ‘scuttle’ across the floor
• Climb plastered walls
• They cannot fly
• Often miss-identified as cockchafers or rain beetles

American Cockroach

• 20 – 30 mm long
• Reddish brown in colour
• Not very common in the UK

Cockroaches pose a threat to Public Health and UK food hygiene standards:

 

• Cockroaches are known to carry a range of serious illnesses including salmonella, dysentery, gastro-enteritis and typhoid.
• The most effective way of assessing a cockroach infestation is to place monitoring baits in the problem areas. Monitoring bait omits a pheromone which the cockroach sticks to, giving an indication to the size of the infestation and the amount of poison bait required.
• Basic hygiene is the most effective way of preventing cockroaches, plus repairing all harbourage areas.  However if an infestation occurs, early diagnosis is paramount as cockroaches breed rapidly and due to their life cycle and resilience, it can take time to reduce and eradicate the problem.

Signs of a cockroach problem in your home, kitchen or building:

 

• Live insects – cockroaches are nocturnal and hide during the day. You will most likely see them when turning on the light in the kitchen at night
• Egg cases and cast skins – cockroaches shed their skin 5-8 times as they mature
• Cockroach droppings – cockroaches leave a dust of black/dark brown droppings that are cylindrical & less than 2mm wide if water is scarce. They are found on horizontal surfaces & wall-floor junctions where cockroaches run
• Smear marks - cockroaches produce these marks instead of droppings if water is readily available, they are brown in colour and irregular in shape
• Odour – established cockroach infestations produce an unpleasant, musty smell & this is most noticeable close to the harbourage
• Damage - cockroaches are omnivorous and will eat almost anything, food stuffs, organic goods including leather, books, paper, clothing and animal matter (such as hamster or rabbit droppings - as well as their food). They will also consume packaging, plastics etc...

If you suspect a cockroach infestation in your home or business and want to get rid of cockroaches and other insects, contact DRE Pest Control in Cambridge.