Just thinking about cockroaches can send a shiver down our spine. Even the word itself sounds scary and can make our skin crawl. And the idea of roaches scuttling around our home is the stuff of nightmares.
The good news is that of the 3,000-plus species of cockroaches in the world, only four are commonly found in the UK:
- The American cockroach.
- German cockroach.
- Oriental cockroach.
- Brown-banded cockroach.
But there’s bad news as well.
Because of our climate, UK roaches can’t survive outside – their natural environment – so they move into our cosy homes. And once they’ve settled in alongside us, they can circulate diseases and reproduce at alarming rates.
Have cockroaches invaded your home?
It’s important to spot signs of a cockroach problem quickly to prevent the insects from multiplying and spreading.
Look out for signs such as:
- Cockroach droppings – dustings of black droppings that look like ground coffee.
- Smear marks – roaches may leave brown marks on surfaces.
- Cockroach eggs – small brown or black egg capsules.
- Shed skin – roaches discard their skins as they grow in size towards adulthood.
- Damage – to food packaging, wallpaper, books, and organic fabrics like leather.
- Bad smell – roach excrement creates an unpleasant, musty lingering odour.
- Dead cockroaches – often a sign of a large infestation.
Prompt identification of a cockroach infestation is critical to minimise and then eliminate the serious health hazards these creatures pose.
Cockroach health hazards
Cockroaches carry filth and can cause major health issues.
They migrate into our homes from sewers and drains and will contaminate anything they touch, including food and food preparation surfaces.
This can cause diseases such as:
- Salmonella.
- E. coli.
- Dysentery.
- Gastroenteritis.
Cockroaches can also trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions resulting in rashes and swelling.
Where to look for signs of cockroaches
Cockroaches like dark, warm, moist places, so you’re likely to find signs of them in:
Bathrooms
Roaches can access bathrooms by crawling up drainage systems into baths and sinks via plugholes. They’ll feed on toilet paper, tissues, soap residue, and human skin cells and hair. Check for signs of infestation at the back of bathroom cabinets and in plumbing behind sinks and toilets.
Kitchens
You may find signs of cockroach infestation in:
- Kitchen cupboards and cabinets.
- Food packaging.
- Behind appliances such as cookers, microwaves, fridges and freezers, and washing machines.
Basements
Roaches can squeeze through cracks in basement walls and floors. They’ll hide in and eat cardboard and old newspapers, so check storage boxes and piles of paper.
Drains
Some cockroach species, including the Oriental, can survive in cooler places like kitchen and bathroom drains, where they find a good source of food and water. Check any cracks in downpipes where they might hide.
Garages
You may also find indications of an Oriental cockroach infestation in undisturbed areas of your garage or outbuildings.
Where are cockroaches found in the UK?
Cockroaches in the UK are mostly found in large cities, particularly in southern England – generally the warmest part of the country.
As nocturnal creatures, roaches accumulate in dark, secluded areas of homes where they can mate and forage for food during the night and rest during the daylight hours.
While cockroaches tend to keep out of sight, you may spot one or two scurrying away to their hiding place when you enter a room at night and turn on the light. And if you see one live roach, many more will probably be nearby.
However, it’s more likely you’ll never see a live cockroach. This makes it crucial that you can recognise the signs they leave behind.
Why is it so hard to kill cockroaches?
Cockroaches are tough little creatures that are notoriously difficult to kill.
They have extremely strong and flexible exoskeletons that can easily withstand being stamped on or whacked with a rolled-up newspaper.
A roach can survive up to a month without food. It can also live for a week without its head – it breathes through tiny holes throughout its body.
Furthermore, cockroaches are among the fastest runners in the insect world and can flatten themselves to fit into tight spaces for an easy getaway.
How pest controllers deal with cockroaches
When cockroaches infest a home, the population can be incredibly difficult to control and even harder to eliminate entirely without professional help.
Pests, Birds and Bugs uses hi-tech equipment to exterminate roach infestations and nests, with no risk to people or pets.
We’ll also thoroughly clean and disinfect affected areas to prevent reinfestation – cockroaches can leave behind pheromones that attract other roaches.
