Although cockroach infestations aren’t as common as they are in some countries, the UK is home to three common cockroach species. In the right conditions, cockroaches can make their way into homes, restaurants and commercial and industrial premises.
Often associated with dirty places, this isn’t necessarily the case. Yes, dirt equals food and plenty of places to hide but cockroaches are commonly introduced to buildings through the transportation of goods and equipment. This means that anyone can be vulnerable to an infestation regardless of how clean your premises are.
How do you get rid of cockroaches if you find yourself faced with a dreaded infestation?
Find where cockroaches are hiding
You won’t be able to fully eliminate the infestation unless you find out where these pests are hiding. Cockroaches are nocturnal, and they prefer to live and feed in the dark. This means it could be months before you even realise you have a problem.
Dark, moist locations are popular hiding places. Check:
- Behind refrigerators, sinks and stoves
- Underfloor drains
- Inside motors and major appliances such as fridges and water heaters
Cockroaches have an impressive ability to flatten their bodies which means they’re often found in some obscure places including:
- Beneath rubber mats
- Behind wallpaper
- Inside wall cracks
Some other common places to find cockroaches hiding include:
- Ceilings
- Areas where pipes come into your home, around washers and dryers, behind damp cabinets, around exposed pipes and in walls and floors where there may be condensation
- Furniture such as sofas
- Cardboard boxes
Eliminate food sources
Eliminating any potential food sources inside and around your home is one of the most effective ways of getting cockroaches to move on sharpish.
- Clean kitchen appliances regularly because cockroaches happily live off grease and food spills
- Empty cabinets and give them a thorough clean – crumbs are a great source of food
- Vacuum regularly – when we’re preparing and eating food, it’s very easy to drop crumbs
- Wipe down kitchen countertops every night
- Don’t leave pet food out overnight
- Store any leftover food in a sealed container
- Make sure all rubbish is stored in a bin with a tight-fitting lid
Block off entry points
Cockroaches can crawl through even the smallest of spaces so it’s important to seal off a potential entry point. This can include cracks in walls, gaps in doors, between walls and countertops, underneath doors and in between floorboards.
Fix leaks
Cockroaches are attracted to moisture and water. Even if you have a small leak, try to fix it as soon as possible and don’t let water stand in your sink or over-water indoor plants. Providing cockroaches have a water source, they can survive months without food which is why they’re drawn to water so much.
Call pest control
The safest, quickest and most effective way to eliminate a cockroach infestation is to call a local pest controller. They will also be able to provide you with advice that will prevent infestations occurring in the future. To book in for your free pest control audit by getting in touch with us today either via our online form or by calling us on 0800 328 9354.
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