Cockroaches, or “roaches”, are among the most important household pests. Indoor cockroaches are
known as significant pests of public health, and outdoor species that find their way inside are considered serious nuisance pests as well as potential public health pests.
Cockroaches range in size from less than 1/2 inch long to almost 2 inches long and are mostly
nocturnal insects that feed on a wide range of organic matter.

General biology and behavior

Most cockroaches harbor within moist, dark crevices when not foraging for food. They crawl quickly and may climb rough surfaces. A few species can fly short distances or glide as adults during warm nights, but most have no wings, reduced wings, or otherwise do not fly.

Cockroaches are omnivorous. In addition to conventional foodstuffs, they will feed on a wide range of organic matter including faeces and other cockroaches. Their activity peaks during hours of darkness.

They exhibit incomplete metamorphosis; the juvenile stages or nymphs resemble the adults.

Each cockroach moults several times in its life cycle producing a larger nymph and eventually moulting to the adult stage. Some species are fully winged in the adults, others may have reduced wings or wing buds. When wings are present, they are leathery and veined.

The females of those cockroaches classed as pests all produce egg cases or oothecae.

The enclosed eggs hatch inside the case from which nymphal cockroaches emerge.

The enclosed eggs hatch inside the case from which nymphal cockroaches emerge.

During the daytime, cockroaches spend most of their time in harborages grouped together. This behaviour is influenced by them finding the same suitable harborage and also by them producing an aggregation pheromone, which is a chemical messenger to other cockroaches of the same species, who respond by being attracted to the source of the pheromone. As this pheromone is present in cockroach faeces, cockroaches will also be attracted to areas previously contaminated by cockroaches.

The development of cockroaches is affected by food quality, humidity, temperature, and day length.

Cockroaches: Prevention, treatment & proofing

Cockroach droppings – cockroaches leave black droppings of varying sizes depending on species.

Damage – Unusual signs of damage on food packaging, fruits and vegetables. Cockroaches

Smear marks – Marks on horizontal surfaces and at wall-floor junctions where cockroaches are active.

Shed skin – Cockroaches shed skins as they mature to adults leaving evidence in locations you suspect they are harbouring.

Unusual odour – Established cockroach infestation produces a lingering and unpleasant musty smell contaminating items they come into contact with in their harbourage or foraging areas .

Live cockroaches in bathrooms and kitchens areas – German cockroaches need warmth and humidity and may be found around kitchens, scullery or laundry areas. American cockroaches may be seen in bathrooms, basements where sewer pipes connect to the buildings since the breed in septic tanks.

Cockroaches in the basement – Oriental cockroaches like cooler, damp conditions and could be found in basements or drains. They can be found in compost or garden waste heaps

Factors contributing cockroach infestation

Factors contributing infestation & growth

Unsecured garbage, pet food, compost piles, and even outdoor water sources can attract cockroaches.

All trash bins must be stored far away from the house. Poor hygiene, split food waste and dirty utensils.

Kitchen waste on compost heaps.

Prevention

• Secure garbage: Use heavy-duty trash bins with tight-fitting lids. Kitchen waste must not be thrown on compost heaps. Keep trash cans away from doorways and the ground where cockroaches forage.Remove trash, newspapers, magazines, piles of paper bags, rags, boxes, and other items that provide hiding places and harborage.

Pets food. Store away pet food in larger containers and remove uneaten food quickly if feeding pets outside.

Sanitation. Cockroaches thrive where food and water are available to them. Even tiny amounts of crumbs or liquids caught between cracks provide a food source.Store food in insect-proof containers such as glass jars or re-sealable plastic containers.

Eliminate plumbing leaks and other sources of moisture. Increase ventilation where condensation is a problem.Inspect food deliveries before putting them in kitchens.

Cockroach control services & Integrated Pest Management

Site inspection

We will conduct an assessment of your property and determine a suitable cockroach control solution for your premises and costs. We provide written assessment reports.

DIY cockroach control products

Our DIY products can help you manage cockroach infestations if the cockroach population is minimal i.e baits and dusters.

Professional cockroach control

Larger cockroach infestations will require an assessment by professional pest control technicians will implement fast and efficient cockroach control solutions using internationally approved chemicals and procedures with guaranteed results. Our cockroach control solutions involve applying a chemicals i.e pyrethroids & gel baits in high infestation areas of your buildings, offices and warehouse.

Cockroach baiting & monitoring

• To act as a strong defence against cockroaches, we put in place a pest management solution to help control cockroaches and prevent the infestation from reoccurring.

• We will also use integrated pest management solution that will help minimise chance of re-infestation or growth.

Frequent inspections & monitoring of bait stations

• To give you peace of mind, we perform inspections before and after construction, to get rid of cockroaches before they cause serious implications.

•Based on the layout of your property and possibility of cockroach infestation, Ultimate Pest Control Services will create a customized prevention & control plan tailored for your situation

Pesticide application

• Pest control technicians will need to double their efforts in analysing every German cockroach infestation, and should be prepared to use more than one technique to bring the infestation under control.

• We use pesticide formulations that are not readily absorbed by porous surfaces (concrete floors, bricks, stones, soil, etc.). Apply them in cracks and crevice.

• We apply pesticides as outside barriers or spot treatments when they can be safely used in areas of known infestation.

• We use space sprays i.e canisters to quickly reduce large populations indoors.

• We use gel baits. These are effective when properly placed in proper quantities considering the cockroach species observed.

• We also use sex pheromone is available to attract males to traps. This helps in reducing
breeding.

Follow up

Ongoing monitoring is important due to the long life span of this roach.