Cockroach Control Across the East Midlands

German cockroach or oriental cockroach?

Two species cause almost all infestations in UK buildings, and they behave differently, so identification comes first.

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is small, about 10–15mm, light yellow-brown with two dark stripes behind the head. It loves warmth and humidity: behind fridges, cookers, dishwashers, boilers and inside kitchen units. It climbs smooth surfaces and breeds fast, so infestations in flats and commercial kitchens can build quickly.

The oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) is larger, about 20–25mm, dark brown to almost black and shiny. It prefers cooler, damp places such as cellars, drains, ducting and under floors, and is slower-moving. It struggles to climb smooth vertical surfaces, so you'll usually see it on floors.

Are cockroaches a health risk?

Cockroaches feed on food waste and move between drains, bins and food preparation areas, so they can carry bacteria such as Salmonella onto surfaces and food. Their droppings and cast skins can also trigger allergies and asthma in some people.

For food businesses it's a legal issue as well as a hygiene one. The Food Standards Agency requires food businesses to have procedures to keep pests out, and environmental health officers can close premises with an active infestation. We provide written treatment records for your food safety file.

Why shop-bought sprays make cockroaches harder to kill

Repellent sprays scatter cockroaches deeper into walls and into neighbouring rooms or flats, and they contaminate the surfaces where bait would otherwise work. Egg cases (oothecae) are protected from most sprays, so a new generation hatches a few weeks later.

How we treat cockroaches

We survey with monitoring traps to find where they're harbouring and how big the population is. Then we place professional gel baits in cracks, hinges and voids where they hide; cockroaches eat the bait and spread it through the colony. Residual spray is used in areas such as voids and behind appliances where it won't come into contact with food.

Most jobs take 2–4 visits a couple of weeks apart, checking the monitors each time until there's no activity. We'll also advise on sealing gaps around pipes, cleaning behind appliances and storing food, which makes a big difference to how quickly it clears.