Cockroaches are everyone's nightmare! An infestation of these giant bugs is a situation serious enough to cause the closure of a hotel or restaurant. Nobody wants these nasty insects in their home. Unfortunately, as our climate grows warmer, cockroaches are an increasingly common problem. Here's what you need to know about cockroaches, how to prevent them and how you can get rid of them.

How can you identify cockroaches?

Cockroaches are quite easy to recognise and not quickly mistaken for other insects. They're relatively large, with oval bodies and long antennae, and they move incredibly fast. There are three species of cockroach that typically cause a nuisance: the German cockroach (Blattella germanica), the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), and the Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis). The German roach is relatively small, usually no bigger than 1.5 cm long. Oriental and American cockroaches are much bigger – American cockroaches can be over 5 cm long!

Where are cockroaches found and what attracts them?

Cockroaches can be found almost anywhere humans live. Where there are humans, there's food. Whether it's crumbs on the floor, open rubbish bins or pet food, cockroaches will find and eat almost anything that has some sort of nutritional value. They also love the warm, damp, dark spaces in our homes: under fridges, inside kitchen cupboards, and in crawl spaces, basements and cellars.

When are cockroaches most active?

Cockroaches are active all year round, even in winter if they've settled inside our warm homes. You're more likely to see them during the warmer months, but if they're already inside a building, they'll crawl out of hiding as early as spring.

How fast do cockroaches reproduce?

Cockroach breeding rates vary by species, but they all reproduce quite rapidly. For example, German cockroaches have a life cycle of around 50 to 60 days. An adult female can lay between 20 and 50 eggs every 20 to 25 days, so a small number of cockroaches can become a huge infestation within a few months. This makes preventing them from getting into your home even more important.

Are cockroaches harmful or dangerous?

Yes, cockroaches can be both harmful and dangerous. They spread bacteria and pathogens that cause food poisoning and other illnesses. Cockroaches can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks, especially in children. They also create unsanitary conditions and unpleasant smells. It's vital that an infestation is dealt with quickly and effectively.

5 top tips for preventing cockroaches

It's always better to avoid a cockroach infestation than to tackle it after the fact. But how do you keep them away? Here are our 5 tips for preventing cockroaches.

1. Keep your home clean

Clean your home thoroughly and regularly. Sweep up crumbs and clean up sticky spills immediately. Pay particular attention to places you can't see, like under the table or behind appliances. \

2. Store food carefully

Keep food in airtight containers and store fruit and vegetables in the fridge or keep them covered. This removes the attraction for cockroaches and also ensures they can't contaminate your food.

3. Keep rubbish covered

Make sure your household rubbish bins have well-fitting lids so cockroaches and other vermin can't get in.

4. Ventilate damp areas

Cockroaches prefer to breed in damp environments, so keep spaces like basements and under-sink cupboards well ventilated to make them less appealing.

5. Keep an eye on pet food

It's easy to overlook your pet's food bowl, but its contents are a real delicacy for cockroaches. Keep an eye on your pet's food, don't leave it out for any longer than necessary, and clean the bowls regularly.