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Cockroaches are one of the most common pests found in homes and businesses across Auckland. Having roaches in your home leaves you exposed to disease and bacteria pathogens, such as salmonella. They can cause skin irritations, allergens and breathing difficulties. Their resilience makes them a formidable foe. If you are struggling with cockroaches or are worried you might have an infestation, give us a call to talk about our Auckland Cockroach Control Services. In this article, we’ll explore the most effective ways to get rid of cockroaches.
Here are some of the survival tactics these pests boast:
- A cockroach can hold its breath for almost 40 minutes
- The largest cockroach in the world is over 10cm long
- A cockroach can live without its head for a full week
- They can survive at a temperature as low as 0 degrees
- They can run up to 5km/hour, even the little ones
- They can live without food for an entire month.
These astounding facts give an insight into the fascinating and challenging process of getting rid of a cockroach infestation in your house.
How To Find A Cockroach Infestation
The most common species found in New Zealand are the Gisborne Cockroach, American cockroach and German cockroach. See our article on cockroaches in NZ for more information. Each type of cockroach requires a different treatment. It’s best to get a professional cockroach exterminator to identify the type and tailor a treatment that is specific to your property.
If you spot a cockroach in your property, there is a good chance that there is an infestation nearby. Cockroaches can live up to 2 years and start reproducing after 6 weeks. A female cockroach can lay 5-30 egg sacs containing 12-40 eggs. There is no time to waste in getting rid of the infestation. That’s why it’s important to act as soon as you see a cockroach in your home.
Common indications of a cockroach infestation are:
Sightings
This is the easiest way to notice an infestation. Our common Bush cockroach will nest in nature, occasionally coming inside and appearing randomly in the house. German or American cockroaches are usually found in the kitchen in/around fridges, ovens, drains, dishwashers, and microwaves where they set up nests. If there’s a heavy infestation, it may spread to your dining room, lounge, and hot water cylinder.
Cockroach Droppings:
Cockroach droppings can help us understand how bad things are. The amount of visible faeces is a good indication of the size or duration of an infestation. Small cockroaches produce droppings that resemble coffee grounds or black pepper, while larger roaches produce oval more noticeable droppings.
Cockroach Eggs:
Cockroach egg cases are another good indication of an infestation. The egg cases are dark and oval-shaped, each egg case holds many eggs so are easier to see than the eggs themselves. They are normally hidden in dark places so check seams in furniture and behind cupboards and bookcases.
Bad Odour:
Certain species can produce unpleasant smells. A strong oily or musty odour can be an indication of a large infestation.
What To Do Once You Have Found A Cockroach Infestation
If you find an infestation it is best to get in touch with a professional pest control company. It may seem cheaper to buy over-the-counter products to treat the infestation yourself. However, you need to know how to identify the cockroach, understand their habitat, where they’re nesting and what products are the most effective. It’s best to only use commercial-grade pest control products that are approved by New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority. Over-the-counter products often aren’t strong enough so you may simply cause cockroaches to scatter, spreading the infestation further.
Give us a call to hear more about our treatment process on how we control cockroach infestations.
How To Prevent Cockroach Infestations
Infestations can start (and be ongoing) when simple hygiene and maintenance are overlooked. For example, pet food bowls not being washed after feeding, dirty dishes left out, food scraps not being disposed correctly, cardboard and paper piled up, or rubbish not being bagged and disposed of in sealed bins. We recommend that you regularly deep clean your kitchen and house. Remember to pull out microwaves, refrigerators and stoves to clean behind and underneath. Organic garden waste and rubbish also provide perfect homes for cockroaches, so remember to clear out waste from around your property too.
A regular, professional pest control program will ensure that cockroaches are kept under control. See our article on how often you should pest control your home.
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