COCKROACHES
There are thousands of species of cockroaches that have been described, however only about 30 species are considered pest species. There are four very common pest species of cockroaches and of these, only two are common in Zimbabwe; the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) and the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana). The German cockroach is the most common of the two and is considerably smaller (1.1-1.6cm) than the American cockroach (4cm). American cockroaches are commonly associated with sewage lines. They appear to become more abundant during the rains when volumes of water moving through drainage pipes increase, forcing them to find shelter elsewhere – commonly inside your home. German cockroaches are also easily imported into your home with groceries and other goods that may harbor them. People often blame a cockroach infestation on poor housekeeping. While good sanitation is very important to reduce food sources for cockroaches, they may still become established.
What are the signs of an cockroach problem?
If you see a cockroach, you should do something about it without delay. They are capable of reproducing at an alarming rate, with heavier infestations becoming more expensive and harder to eliminate. Cockroaches are also able to develop resistance to pesticides in a comparatively short time, so it’s best to address any cockroach issue as soon as possible. They also carry and distribute harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella around, contaminating your food and kitchen. Exposure to cockroach faeces and other waste products has been linked to a variety of allergies and can trigger asthma. Cockroach infestations should be taken seriously for health and hygiene reasons.
What are the signs of a cockroach problem?
Cockroaches are nocturnal insects. They prefer to live and feed in the dark, so cockroaches seen during the day is a likely sign of an infestation. Cockroaches tend to prefer dark, moist places to hide and breed and can be found behind refrigerators, sinks and stoves, as well as under floor drains and inside of motors and major appliances. Because they can flatten their bodies to fit into narrow areas, cockroaches may also be found hiding beneath rubber mats, behind wallpaper and within wall cracks.
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Small roaches produce faeces that resemble coffee grounds or black pepper, while larger roaches expel cylindrical droppings.
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A strong oily or musty odor may be present.
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The bodies of dead cockroaches can also be found throughout the house.
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Oval-shaped egg cases, known as oothecae, are sometimes visible behind furniture and in other hidden locations, such as the spaces between books.
What we will do
Please give us a call to discuss the details of your problem. We would like to know details such as:
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Are you seeing them throughout the house or the kitchen only?
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Remove a top drawer in your kitchen and check the upper rear corners for cockroaches, are they in abundance i.e. in groups of more than 10? Or just the odd one?
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What size are they? Small brown cockroaches (1.1-1.4 cm) or large brown (4+ cm)?
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Is there a noticeable odour around the areas suspected to be infested with cockroaches?
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Are they being seen during the day?
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The approximate size of your kitchen/house is also helpful to us.
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This information will help us determine whether we need to visit the premises to do an assessment and free quote, or if we can simply quote you over the phone.