Cockroach Species in the UK
There are thousands of different cockroach species on earth . However, only a fraction of them live within human habitations and an even smaller number are present in Britain.
Of the species that do live here, our cockroach control Glasgow technicians come across the following species fairly regularly:
German Cockroaches
This type of cockroach is present all across the globe. Not only is it a hardy survivor allowing it to travel, but it can adapt to a broad range of habitats with carrying conditions. These insects tend to establish themselves in warm and human indoor environments, usually found in kitchen and bathroom areas. German cockroaches are particularly adept at developing resistance to common insecticides, which makes them a formidable pest to control. They reproduce quickly, with females capable of producing up to 400 offspring in their lifetime.
American Cockroaches
These roaches, despite their name, are actually from Africa and can be identified by their large size. They tend to avoid areas busy with human activity, settling in humid and dark environments. They thrive in basements and warehouses or factories, but some can be found in domestic bathroom and kitchen settings. American cockroaches are among the largest species of common cockroaches, and they have a relatively long lifespan of up to 2 years, which complicates eradication efforts.
Oriental Cockroaches
The most identifiable feature of these insects is their incredibly dark colour, ranging from dark brown to black. They feed on decaying organic substances which means they can often be found in piles of leaves and bins. Additionally, they thrive within drainage systems and cold damp basements. Oriental cockroaches are known for their slower movement and preference for cooler temperatures compared to other species. They are less adept climbers, meaning they often remain on lower floors or basements.
The majority of the pest solutions to cockroach issues implemented by our professional Glasgow pest control team will involve one of these cockroach species, but it is not unheard of to come across a pest infestation involving a much rarer species that has arrived from overseas.
Allergies and Disease
Although many people associate cockroaches with disease, our pest control Glasgow experts know that this is just one health hazard they are responsible for:
Allergic Reactions
Cockroaches produce an incredibly strong scent which will trigger an allergic reaction in the majority of people. The intensity of this reaction can vary from irritation to breathing trouble. Roaches will also produce debris which, when inhaled, can cause symptoms significantly worse. The allergens are primarily found in the faeces, saliva, and shedding body parts of cockroaches, which can become airborne and exacerbate conditions like asthma.
Asthma
Anyone who suffers from asthma can suffer breathing difficulties and even attacks as a result of cockroach activity. Our cockroach control specialists have also highlighted that detritus from dead cockroaches and their faeces can be inhaled by nearby humans, causing a real risk for older people, young children, and household pets.
Disease
Many dangerous and infectious diseases such as Salmonella, E. Coli, and Dysentery can be carried by cockroaches. They can contaminate food sources while eating, or even leave pockets of bacteria on surfaces. This can lead to entire batches of produce being contaminated in a commercial setting. Cockroaches are vectors for several pathogens due to their habit of feeding on both decaying organic matter and stored human food, and their ability to travel through various environments, including sewers and waste disposals.
DIY Cockroach Control
The combination of cockroach biology and behaviour makes them a very difficult insect to deal with by yourself without the assistance of a professional pest control service. Due to their sensitivity towards light, they will often spend most of their life away from open spaces. They much prefer wall spaces and other discreet locations.
There are very few, if any, natural forces which control their populations. The number of predators they have in the wild is low and this number drops to zero when they find shelter inside. When they infest your property, they are likely to remain until there is no more food to eat.
Luckily, our pest controllers have the expertise and effective insecticide to deal with the problem efficiently. We are full members of the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) and have been providing both domestic and commercial pest control in Glasgow and surrounding areas for many years.
How to Prevent Cockroach Infestations
We have prepared some advice which you can employ to avoid cockroach infestations in both commercial and domestic settings throughout the Glasgow area:
Rubbish and waste should be disposed of as quickly as possible; make sure rubbish bags are taken outside regularly. Any stored food should be secure from pests in tight containers. Food should not be left out for extended periods of time, and it is vital it remains covered whenever possible. Maintain a clean environment by cleaning up all spills and food residue. Additionally, cockroaches thrive with a lot of shelter so avoid clutter. Recycling bins can be unexpected sources for cockroaches to feed. Ensure that all food residue is thoroughly removed before throwing it outside.
Cockroaches have an incredible ability to communicate using pheromones. When one of them finds a source of food or shelter, they will inform other members of their species who quickly join them. If you witness a cockroach, or a sign of a cockroach infestation, within your property it is critical that you get in touch with our local pest control team without delay. By making an immediate start, we can deal with the problem before the situation is critical.
Our Cockroach Service
Over our many years of experience, our pest control experts have experimented with a number of products. We find that a specialised slow-acting bait provides the best results while causing minimal disruption.
This bait will limit the cockroach’s ability to grow and reproduce while killing is slowly. The cockroaches should make it into their crawl spaces before dying. Other cockroaches will consume the corpse leading to ‘secondary poisoning events’ as they ingest the chemical.
Because the roaches will take the poison to areas which we cannot access, it allows us to deal with the infestation without having to tear down walls and other structures to finish the job. In essence, the cockroaches will spread the poison among their own ranks.
In some instances we will need to go to further lengths to ensure the infestation is truly dealt with. In these cases, we can leave traps around as a monitoring device. If the traps remain empty, we know the population has reached zero and has no chance of resurfacing.
Local and Reliable Pest Control in Glasgow
Cockroach infestations are a health hazard, and their robust nature makes them a very pressing pest problem. The longer the population is left to expand the more difficult it is to deal with, but our local technicians are always nearby and ready to respond.
We are committed to coming up with bespoke plans to address your pest issues as this is the only way to guarantee conclusive results and customer satisfaction. Additionally, our cockroach control team will arrive in vehicles fully stocked for the job ahead.
Our company is BPCA approved, compliant with all relevant pest control legislation, and environmentally safe and responsible with a friendly team of local pest technicians with an in-depth knowledge of Glasgow and the surrounding areas.
Arrange Glasgow Pest Control for Cockroaches
For a rapid response to your pest problem call our Glasgow office today on 0141 471 9255 for a FREE Survey or advice.
We not only provide a leading insect control service in Glasgow, but also offer control solutions to bird control and rodent control issues from a mouse in the basement to a pigeon nest in the attic, making us the number one choice for effective pest solutions to ALL kinds of different.
Alternatively, fill in our contact form with details regarding your pest control issue, and one of our sales representatives will be in touch as soon as possible with details about our pest removal and cockroach treatments.
