Cockroaches

Cockroaches are insects that are closely connected to termites, with both termites and cockroaches being part of the Blattodea order of insects. There are thousands of different types of cockroaches, but only about 30 of those species are commonly found in human habitats.

The most common kind of cockroach you might have to deal with in your home is the German cockroach. German cockroaches can vary in size from around 10 to 16mm in length when mature. They have brown bodies and wings, with a shield-like structure behind the head that has two dark bars running along with it.

Nymph cockroaches are just a few millimetres in length when they first emerge from their eggs, being almost entirely dark, but with light tan spots on the back of the second and third sections of their bodies. Cockroach egg capsules are between 6 and 18mm in size, being light brown in colour and containing around 15-20 eggs on each side, for a total of 30-40 eggs per capsule.

Female German cockroaches are able to produce up to eight egg capsules during their lives, with each one containing up to 40 eggs in total. The egg capsules are dropped in safe areas by the females just a day or two before they are due to hatch. After emerging from the eggs, the nymphs undergo several moulting stages before becoming adults. It takes about 100 days in total for the German cockroach lifecycle to be completed, so it's possible for 3-4 generations of cockroaches to be produced each year. An adult cockroach will live for between 100 and 200 days, on average.

German cockroaches are known for infesting homes and can often be found in rooms like the kitchen and bathroom where they have access to food and water, while also being able to hide in many dark corners and crevices. During the day, they can conceal themselves in these dark, protected areas, coming out at night to feed. They're able to make their home anywhere where they have access to food, water, and shelter, and they can make their way into homes via numerous methods, such as hiding among grocery bags or delivery boxes. They might also be carried into the home hiding among old appliances like refrigerators or microwaves.

If you have a problem with flying cockroaches or a German cockroaches infestation, the best course of action is to contact experienced pest control operatives to help. The operative will be able to visit your home and carry out a search and inspection to identify the roaches and discover the scope of the infestation.

Homeowners will also need to play their part in eliminating the cockroaches by adhering to good standards of sanitation and hygiene to make it harder for the cockroaches to survive. Gel baits and dust are common tools used when attempting to control a cockroach problem. Glue traps may also be used as monitoring devices to check for the presence of roaches in certain parts of a home or building.

Vacuum cleaners are recommended to be used in harborage areas in order to reduce cockroach populations too. If cockroaches are sighted during the day, it's likely that the problem is quite severe and the population is large. With smaller populations, the insects may not be seen during the day at all. Instead, people might spot them or hear them at night, or they may notice the presence of roach droppings, which look like pepper or coffee grounds, under the countertops or in drawers and cabinets.

The use of over-the-counter pest products to deal with roaches is not recommended by pest control experts, because it may make the problem worse. These products may simply repel the roaches, rather than killing them all, resulting in the scattering and spreading out further around the home or building and becoming even harder to eradicate. This is why professional, licensed exterminators are the best people to contact when it comes to removing cockroaches.

How to get rid of cockroaches?

The first step if you're dealing with a German cockroaches infestation is to call a trusted pest control company. They'll be able to assess the problem and use their expertise and experience to formulate an adequate plan of eradication to deal with the problem. Insecticide dusts and gel baits are commonly used to get rid of these insects, along with other methods and tools.

What attracts cockroaches?

Cockroaches, like many other insects, can be drawn to homes that are poorly cleaned or maintained. They're attracted to smells caused by food spillages or garbage that is left around without being cleaned up. Any crumbs, dirty dishes, or old food items left around could therefore make your home a more appealing cockroach target. Pet food is also very appealing to cockroaches, so pet food bags and containers should all be sealed and stored away safely. These insects are also attracted to moisture, so they'll be more likely to appear in damp areas like bathrooms with a lack of ventilation. There are even some cockroaches that will be attracted to homes with messy yards that have lots of compost, leaf litter, and mulch.

Where do cockroaches come from?

Many people wonder how do cockroaches get in the home, and the truth is that there are many different methods available to them. These insects are very good at hiding and moving under the cover of darkness, so can sneak into the home via cracks, crevices, and open windows without being seen. They may also get carried into the property inadvertently in boxes, bags, or even secondhand appliances and pieces of used furniture. They might also already be in the house before you move in or could enter from a neighboring property.

How to eliminate cockroaches?

Contact a pest control company to inspect your home and find out about the infestation. They'll be able to use their know-how to formulate an effective plan of action against your roach problem. They might make use of dust insecticide products and gel baits, among other pest control tools and techniques.

How to know if you have cockroaches?

Common signs of cockroaches include rustling sounds at night and the appearance of pepper-like droppings in kitchens and bathrooms, or any other area that may offer food and shelter to the insects. You might also actually see them during the day or at night.