THE COCKROACH!
It must surely be the most
detested and hated of insects, and with good reason. It infests a property in
numbers, can be incredibly difficult to get rid of and can spread diseases, as
well as cause other issues, one of which is allergies.
Not many people are aware but the
cockroach can cause allergic reactions
in some people. Those who are asthmatic, or sensitive to the house dust mite
can find that on exposure to a cockroach infested property or area, they can
feel unwell. However, it is probably true to say that anyone who spends more
than a few minutes in a cockroach infested house or building will soon feel
distressed and anxious.
The
species
In the UK, the most commonly
dealt with cockroach species are the German
cockroach and the Oriental cockroach.
Adaptable and mobile, the cockroach can make its way into a new building via
sewers, pipes, ducts and so on. The hole only needs to be the smallest crevice,
almost unseen by the human eye.
The Oriental cockroach can be
identified as it is the bigger of the two species found in the UK, and it is
the most common too. Congregating in water sources, this cockroach can also
climb rough walls, such as brickwork. The German cockroach on the other hand,
can easily scale a smooth plastered wall.
Not
sure if there is an infestation?
Although they can and do infest
in large numbers, neither species of cockroach enjoy or seek out human company.
Hence, as soon as walk in to a room, they scuttle and hide in the corners,
behind units and so on. They are mainly nocturnal creatures hence they can be
present in a property without the homeowner knowing for a long time.
There may be some tell-tale signs
but using a sticky trap can be one way of determining if you have cockroaches
or not. Lay it at night in the kitchen or wherever you think the cockroaches
are, and check back in the morning…
Prevention
As with all pests, prevention is
better than cure and when it comes to high danger areas – food serving and
preparation outlets, hotel kitchen, take-aways and so on – hygiene needs to be
top of the list.
This does not mean only the
interior of a property but the exterior too. Food waste should be tightly
sealed bags, and then disposed of in tightly sealed bins that should be emptied
on a weekly basis, more often if the refuse is liable to spill over in a matter
of days.
When an infestation does strike,
it needs to be dealt with. It will not go away of its own accord, but if left
untreated will simply gather pace. Baiting, gelling and use on insecticides is
common in this kind of infestation, followed by cleaning and the application of
heat too, in some cases.
Proofing
However, there is sometimes need
in some situations to proof an area against cockroaches and this investment can
pay dividends in high risk areas.
Cockroaches are nocturnal,
preferring dark, warm spaces – the kitchen or bathroom is perfect – and cracks
in floors, walls and ceilings make perfect access points. These small cracks
and crevices need to be filled and, as far as is possible, any voids in walls
cavities filled too.
Eradication
and the law
For food premises, it is a legal
requirement that cockroaches are dealt with in a timely way. In other words,
all food premises are expected to act in a way that discourages all pests but,
in the case of cockroaches this means ensuring that their premises and habits do
not allow cockroaches to take hold.
When a food premises suspects an
infestation, by law they must act and the best and safest route to dealing with
a cockroach issue is to call in professional pest controllers.
In
summary
More and more people are aware of
the dangers that some pests can pose to their health – the cockroach being one
of them – but are also now increasingly mindful of the types of chemicals that
were once accepted as part of treatment.
Cockroaches have become resistant
to some chemicals too and thus, simply laying down any poison or gel is no
longer effective. The safest option for both human health and the environment
is the treatments offered by a professional pest control company or technician.
