Cockroaches Control Services
Cockroaches are a common pest, infesting both indoor and outdoor areas.Several species of cockroach are common in Kenya. Species identification will help you decide the best method of inspection and control. Effective control of pest cockroaches involves thorough inspection, reducing sources of food, water and shelter, pesticides or baits, and ongoing maintenance.There are over 4000 species of cockroaches worldwide, only a few of which are considered major pests. The high pest status of cockroaches is largely attributed to their wide distribution, close association with humans and potential to carry disease.Conditions that favor cockroach infestations are those that provide abundant food, water and shelter. Cockroaches eat virtually any animal or vegetable material, including paper, fabric, leather, starches and grease particles.
Note: Any active cockroaches observed during the day are often indicative of a large infestation.
Cockroach Control Measures
A thorough inspection of the infested area. A torch or pyrethrin aerosol may be used to flush cockroaches out of their harborages. Sticky traps can be effective for long-term monitoring of populations.
- Maintaining a high standard of hygiene
- Reducing water availability by removing unnecessary containers of water and repairing leaky taps and pipes.
- Sealing cracks and crevices where possible.
- Storing food in sealed airtight containers, emptying garbage bins regularly and keeping garbage bin lids tightly closed.
- Food-handling surfaces must not be treated.
- Surface sprays applied to cracks, crevices and voids that may harbour cockroaches, and surfaces where cockroaches travel.
- Baits may be in the form of gels, pastes, particles or bait stations. Baits are becoming increasingly useful in cockroach control and the use of baits can offer safety advantages if treatment is required in commercial food-handling areas, schools or hospitals.
- Follow-up inspection and monitoring.
How you will confirm the manifestation of cockroaches in your home.
- Cockroach droppings – If little water is available cockroaches will produce brown/black cylindrical droppings, approx. 2mm long.
- Smear marks – If water is abundant cockroaches will produce brown and irregular shaped smear marks. Check for marks on horizontal surfaces and at wall-floor junctions where cockroaches scuttle along.
- Shed skins – Cockroaches shed ‘cast nymphal’ skins 5-8 times as they mature to adults. These shed skins are usually found close to where the cockroaches are sheltering.
- Unusual smell – An established cockroach infestation produces a lingering and unpleasant odour that taints items they contact.
