Cockroach problem? Get Immediate Cockroach Help
German Cockroach
12 - 15 mm
American Cockroach
25 - 40 mm
Oriental Cockroach
17 - 30 mm
Australian Cockroach
25 - 30 mm
Dos and Don’ts of Cockroaches
- Do not underestimate the power of sanitary conditions! Keep all areas thoroughly clean. All it takes are a few bread crumbs, some rubbish or a sticky surface to undo all your hard work.
- Store all food in containers with tight fitting lids –it should never be left out overnight.
- Opened food should be kept in a refrigerator.
- Clean all dirty cutleries and cooking utensils and store them away immediately.
- Store garbage away in bins with close-sealing lids.
- Check that boxes of all delivered goods to the home or commercial premises do not contain live cockroaches, their droppings or eggs.
- Keep cockroaches out by sealing doors and windows, fitting mesh on drains and checking that there are no gaps around service pipe entry points.
- Keep up the home maintenance – replace tiles, replace wall coverings and laminates as these are common breeding ground for cockroaches. All gaps and crevices should be completely sealed.
Some information about Cockroaches
You’ll be relieved (or more concerned) to discover that cockroaches have been pestering humans since ancient times. Now that’s a long time! Cockroaches are particularly problematic in the warmer months but they can be found anywhere where there is food, water and a warm place to live – which unfortunately describes most homes.
These night crawlers love to stay out after hours. You won’t see them during the day (and if you do, you have a problem) because they prefer to avoid the light. They hide from other predators, drier daytime conditions and pest control inspectors like us by seeking refuge in crevices so small, you’d be hard pressed to find them. Yes, they are that good at playing hide and seek.
Unfortunately for housewives, cockroaches have a preference for the warmer areas like the kitchen, the sink, the hot water system and behind stoves. Refrigerators and dishwashers could also be potential locations. Basically the kitchen is their haven, so you have to take particular care in this area of the house. Their whole purpose for scavenging at night is to search for food. They’ll eat anything really, particularly starchy materials, meat, dairy products and sweet foods.
What’s the problem though? A few cockroaches are surely harmless right? Well they might seem small, but they are a health hazard as they can transmit diseases to humans. These include Salmonella, Gastroenteritis, Leprosy, Dysentery and Typhoid fever (among others). The main problem is that cockroaches are not fussy in what they eat. They can go from garbage and sewerage and then in the same day crawl over food meant for human consumption, not to mention cooking utensils, cutlery etc. They’re quite rude like that!
Cockroaches begin their infestation by entering the house under doors, through unscreened windows or any other openings or holes, particularly leading from underground. Also be wary of bringing cartons, packing cases and food into the home, as they can introduce eggs or adult cockroaches into your home. Don’t underestimate the size of the crack – an adult cockroach can fit into a crack thinner than a dime! Also, simply spraying the cockroach might not take care of the problem, as the sight of one cockroach usually indicates the presence of many more, hidden away.
