Cockroach

To book a pest control treatment

Contact Us

01225 396007

Office hours are between

8.30am to 5.00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday,

9.30pm to 5.00pm Wednesday and 8.30am to 4.30pm Friday.

For general enquiries, you may also email Council_Connect@bathnes.gov.uk

How much does it cost?

For further advice on price click on Residential Properties or Businesses.

What do they look like?

Cockroaches are fairly large insects and they can range from 12mm up to around 30mm. They have two wings and long antennae. The German cockroach is brown in colour and is also smaller than the Oriental cockroach; it is able to climb both rough and smooth surfaces.

The Oriental cockroach is much larger in size and is dark brown almost black in colour; it is not able to climb smooth surfaces but can still climb rough surfaces.

What is their life cycle and where do they live?

The female cockroach produces up to eight egg cases at monthly intervals. These cases can contain up to 30 eggs and nymphs hatch in 2-4 weeks for German cockroaches and 6-12 weeks for Oriental cockroach. Once the nymphs hatch they will look the same as an adult only smaller.

The German cockroach likes to live in warm and humid places during the day as they are nocturnal insects such as:

  • Sinks
  • Back of cupboards
  • Drains
  • Refrigerator motors

The Oriental cockroach on the other hand prefers cooler less humid areas such as:

  • Drains
  • Basements 
  • Buildings with service ducts 

Do they do any harm?

Cockroaches are dangerous in your home, as they carry diseases such as Salmonella, Gastro-enteritis, Typhoid and Dysentery. Cockroach droppings have been linked with increases in eczema and asthma. Children, the elderly or those with existing illnesses are most at risk from a cockroach problem. Beyond health risks, cockroaches produce an offensive odour that taints food and objects that they touch.

How do I know if I have an infestation?

You may be aware of a number of egg cases which tend to look like kidney beans and dark brown in colour. In the event of serious infestation, a strong oily or musty odour may be present. The bodies of dead cockroaches may also be found throughout the house.

How do I get rid of them?

Cockroaches are hardy creatures and breed rapidly. We would recommend you seek professional help to prevent the infestation from becoming established and spreading to neighbouring properties. Our Pest Control Officer will be able to locate the source of the problem and treat as necessary. All treatments used are applied by the Pest Control Officer who will ensure the safety of you and your family and minimise damage to the environment.

What to expect from a visit

The first visit is used to monitor the infestation and to identify the type of cockroach. The officer will lay traps in order to do this.

Once the type of pest is confirmed, the officer will want to start treatment. In order for the treatment to be effective, it is important that the area to be treated is as tidy as possible. The usual treatment will be gel based, and placed near the infestation sites. It is important that the gel is left in its place.

Following treatment, an information advice sheet is given; providing information about the poison used and contact details should you need to contact us.

Following treatment, a follow up visit, should be arranged by the customer so that any poison can be removed.

How do I prevent an infestation?

  • Keep the kitchen clean. Clean up crumbs and spills promptly, and generally keep the area clean. Pay special attention to range tops, as cockroaches love grease
  • Put food away. Keep food containers sealed, and don't leave food out for extended periods - don't even leave dirty dishes overnight
  • Empty bins regularly, and keep rubbish away from the house.
  • Fix dripping taps or leaks cockroaches are attracted to water.
  • Prevent bugs from coming up the drain. If you believe that the cockroaches are coming up your drains, pour regular, cheap bleach down the drains before leaving the house in the morning.
  • Move logs and other debris away from the outside of the house. Cockroaches love piles of wood and other convenient hiding places, and as the weather turns colder, they'll migrate inside the house to keep warm. 
  •  Seal cracks in exterior walls. Keep roaches out of the house by blocking their entrance.
  • Seal cracks everywhere you can inside your house.

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