Cockroach control in Almere: which species do you have?
Indoors it is usually the German cockroach (Duitse kakkerlak). This light-brown insect grows to about one and a half centimetres and has two dark stripes on the shield behind its head. It loves warmth and moisture and mainly comes out at night. The oriental cockroach is larger and almost black, and tends to live in damp cellars, crawl spaces and drains. Signs that you have cockroaches:
- droppings like black grains, similar to ground pepper or coffee grounds
- small brown egg cases in corners and behind appliances
- shed skins and a musty, sweetish smell with a large population
- cockroaches out in daylight, a sign that their hiding places are getting crowded
How cockroaches get in and where they hide
Cockroaches rarely walk in from outside. They hitch a ride in cardboard boxes, crates of groceries or deliveries, second-hand kitchen appliances and sometimes luggage. In a block of flats they travel via service shafts, gaps around pipes and cavities from one kitchen to the next.
Once inside, they look for warm, dark crevices close to food and water: behind the fridge and dishwasher, under the sink, in the motor housing of appliances, around the coffee machine and behind loose skirting boards. Because they can squeeze into very narrow cracks, you never see much of the population.
How our cockroach treatment works
We start with a thorough inspection, using a torch and sometimes sticky monitoring traps to see where activity is highest. This maps out the hiding places and routes, including in adjoining rooms.
We then place small dots of gel bait exactly in those spots. Cockroaches feed on it and carry it back to their hiding place, where others come into contact with it too. Professional gel bait may only be applied by a certified pest controller. At the same time we seal gaps around pipes and skirting boards. Because the eggs are protected inside their case, we plan a follow-up visit to treat the next generation. We use the same step-by-step method for all our pest control in Almere.
What to do yourself, and what to avoid
Remove food and water as far as possible. Do not leave dirty dishes or open food out, keep food in sealed containers, clean crumbs and grease from behind and under appliances, and dry the worktop and sink in the evening. Take the rubbish out daily and do not leave pet food standing.
Do not use sprays or smoke bombs. They drive cockroaches deeper into the walls and make the gel bait less attractive. Please do not wipe away the gel dots we place either. Crumbs and leftovers attract more than just cockroaches; if you also notice small droppings or gnaw marks, read about mouse control.
After treatment: keeping them away
Check deliveries and cardboard boxes before putting them in the kitchen or storeroom, and get rid of cardboard as soon as possible. If you buy a second-hand fridge, microwave or coffee machine, look into the cracks and under the casing first. Have dripping taps and leaking drains repaired, as cockroaches struggle to survive without water.
If you spot a cockroach again after a while, do not wait. A few individuals are far easier to deal with than a new population that has settled behind your appliances again.
