COCKROACH INFESTATIONS

Undoubtedly viewed as one of the most repugnant of pests to infiltrate our homes, cockroaches have lived and thrived alongside man for hundreds of years. Originally from more tropical climates they have been distributed worldwide due to the growth in commerce. 

 

Cockroaches are omnivorous, in addition to conventional foods they will happily dine on vomit, sputum, other cockroaches and human/animal faeces.

 

They move from filth to food indiscriminately transferring harmful pathogens and causing food poisoning; hence making them a pest that needs controlling.

 

In the UK pest controllers deal with cockroach infestations that predominately involve either the oriental (Blatta orientalis), or the German cockroach (Blatella germanica), both of which are likely to be difficult to control.

 

Correct identification of the species is extremely important for effective treatment because it allows the technician to exploit information about the species (lifecycle/habits) which can be used in the control programme.

 

Surveys for a cockroach infestation are best done at night because their activity peaks during the hours of darkness.

 

Successful treatment however involves a combination of different chemical products in different areas of the site and improved housekeeping and hygiene. Without the latter no chemical treatment will be totally effective.

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