A cockroach indoors is a shock. They come out at night, vanish into a crack in an instant and are rarely on their own. If you see one in daylight, the population is usually bigger than you think.
A trap shows you whether you have them, where they run and whether it is getting worse. Put it on the routes they use: behind the fridge, under the worktop, along the skirting board and near pipe openings. Our trap is made from 92 % recycled material, the lure is worked into the glue, and no pest control product is involved.
If you have a heavy or persistent infestation, call a professional. Cockroaches nest inside walls, service shafts and the shared parts of a building. A trap maps what is going on, but it will not clear a nest like that.
Are cockroaches dangerous?
They do not sting or bite and they avoid people. The risk lies elsewhere. They travel through waste, drains and food scraps and carry that onto your worktop and crockery, which means they can spread bacteria such as salmonella. Their droppings and shed skins are also a well known trigger for allergic complaints and can worsen asthma, particularly in children. So they are not aggressive, but they are a health risk.
What do cockroaches eat?
Almost anything. Crumbs, grease behind and under the cooker, pet food, sugar, but also paper, cardboard, glue and soap. They can go weeks without food but barely a week without water, which is why you find them by the sink, the dishwasher and in the bathroom. Storing food airtight and keeping the space behind appliances clean helps more than cleaning at eye level.
Where do cockroaches come from?
Usually not from poor cleaning, and that is worth knowing. They come in through service shafts, the drains or a shared wall in a block of flats, or they hitch a ride in boxes, shopping bags and second hand appliances. Warmth, moisture and reachable food then keep them inside.
How quickly do cockroaches reproduce?
Fast enough to catch you out. A female carries an egg case holding dozens of eggs and produces several in her lifetime. The cases sit hidden in cracks, so you never see them. The number you do see is almost always a fraction of the real total, which is why acting early saves months.
Why do you mainly see cockroaches at night?
Cockroaches are nocturnal and avoid light. Seeing one in daylight is often a sign that the hiding place has become crowded. That is exactly the moment to measure the size of the problem rather than wait.
How to tackle it
Place traps on the routes and note for a week what you catch and where. Then seal cracks around pipes and skirting, store food airtight and fix any leaks, because water is their greatest need. If it does not decrease, or you live in a block where neighbours report the same, bring in a professional.