Cockroach eating sugar

Preventing Cockroaches

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Preventing Cockroaches

Cockroaches are one of our top most common pests in the uk. Cockroaches are attracted by food, moisture and shelter. Therefore homes and businesses are ideal breeding grounds for certain species of cockroach. If these insects have enough food, water and warmth, their nesting sites can remain active throughout the year.

Preventing cockroaches entering your property

There are some simple measures you can take, from keeping windows and doors shut, sealing holes around pipework, to maintaining high standards of cleaning which will help to deter cockroaches, and other crawling insects. Although you can try to lower the risks of a cockroach infestation by limiting the food accessible to them or Do-It-Yourself products, this does not guarantee 100% removal.

Cockroaches are amazing scavengers, and within an urban environment these insects will rely heavily on food debris left by people. A cockroach’s diet consists mainly of sugar, carbohydrates and protein. The best way to reduce the risk of cockroaches within your home or business is to remove any opportunity for them to access food sources.

Be aware that cockroaches are known to consume many other items that you would not consider to be ‘food’ such as paper, glue, grease, fabrics, pet droppings (such as hamsters and rabbits) and even turn to cannibalism if food sources become limited. The simplest advice to deter roaches is sanitation – keep things very clean and tidy.

Top Tips for Cockroach Prevention

  • Eliminate Food Sources -

    • Remove liquids from sinks, bowls and buckets. Cockroaches can survive up to 2 weeks without water as long as the moisture content of their food is high. Removing standing water from buckets, plant pots, pet bowls and sinks will discourage cockroaches from entering your property in search of water.
    • Remove leftover food from tables, desks, worktops, counters and under appliances. Cockroaches only need a minimal amount of food for a meal, any crumbs or liquid spillages left on tables, counters and desks will be an easy source of nourishment for them.
    • Use airtight containers for food storage. The smell of food is an important factor in attracting cockroaches. Using air tight containers will help prevent cockroaches detecting potential food sources within your premises.
    • Rinse out residue from bottles, cans and plastics before recycling. Leftover food or liquid at the bottom of containers attract cockroaches by the smell and liquid content. It’s very easy for cockroaches to crawl into your bins, and then be unknowingly transferred in to your home.
    • Empty bins every day. Bins are prime attraction for cockroaches as they offer a range of food to consume. By emptying your bins on a daily basis this will reduce opportunities for cockroaches to find food and shelter and potentially breed in your property.

  • Clean - With most forms of pest prevention the best way to reduce the risk of an infestation is to keep kitchen, food handling and storage areas clean and tidy.

    • Keep food surfaces clear from debris, crumbs and spills. Ensuring any food debris and spillages are cleared swiftly, this will reduce the likelihood of cockroaches entering in search of food.
    • Remove pet food, litter trays and water bowls before nightfall. Cockroaches are nocturnal, so removing pet food sources and water reduces the attraction for cockroaches.
    • Vacuum regularly. Removing any debris from desks, furniture and floors will not invite cockroaches. 
    After an infestation, we can provide a full disinfection service, for premises to ensure they are back up to hygienic standards.

  • Declutter - Cockroaches use a pheromone in their droppings as a signal to others they have found a safe place to hide and nest. Therefore removing any clutter such as newspapers, magazines, packaging and cardboard will prevent droppings accumulating within one area. Also removing excess clutter with help minimise the places where cockroaches can hide.

  • Maintenance Prevention - General building maintenance will help deny cockroaches’ routes to gain access to your property.

    • Fill and seal cracks and holes in walls, around skirting boards, under sinks, around pipework, fitted cabinets and behind electrical sockets (use expanding foam where possible) to reduce potential entry points.
    • Checking and repairing pipes. Cockroaches thrive in damp and moist areas, therefore they are often found near pipes and drains. You should check these areas regularly for signs of cockroach activity. Repairing damaged pipes and clearing blocked drains helps with cockroach prevention.
    • Paint or varnish wooden shelves to seal cracks and crevices. Painting and varnishing over wood helps to seal gaps and makes the surface less porous so that it doesn’t absorb the cockroaches scent (pheromones) which they use to communicate to other roaches to show areas of food and shelter. Ensure you wipe the shelving clean on a regular basis to remove debris and any scenting.

Rentokil Professional Cockroach Prevention

Once an infestation has been established, cockroaches can spread quickly to other rooms and neighbouring properties. At Rentokil, our British Pest Control Association (BPCA) certified technicians are trained and qualified to provide customised, targeted treatments to guarantee complete control of a cockroach problem and help to prevent a re-infestation using their expertise and technical experience to provide practical advice.

 

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