Cockroach control in Apeldoorn: which species is it?
In homes and commercial kitchens we mainly come across the German cockroach. It is light brown, just over a centimetre long and has two dark stripes behind the head. German cockroaches love warmth and moisture and are mostly active at night. You can recognise an infestation by:
- insects running off quickly when the light goes on, especially around the cooker, fridge and dishwasher
- tiny black specks, like ground pepper, in cupboards, hinges and drawers
- brown egg cases, elongated and ridged, in crevices and behind appliances
- a musty, sweetish smell with a larger infestation
If you see them during the day as well, their hiding places are often already overcrowded and there is no time to lose.
How cockroaches get in
Cockroaches rarely just stroll in through the front door. They travel in cardboard boxes, suppliers' crates, second-hand kitchen appliances and sometimes luggage. In flats and apartment blocks they move from one home to the next through service shafts, cable ducts and the space behind kitchen units.
Once inside, they find everything they need: crumbs, grease behind the cooker, a leaking waste pipe and the warmth of a fridge motor. A female carries her egg case with her until the young are almost ready to hatch, which is why a small infestation grows quickly.
Our approach: gel bait and follow-up
At the inspection we use a torch to find the hiding places: behind the skirting, under the sink, in the motor compartments of appliances and around pipe entries. Sticky monitoring traps show where the insects run and how large the population is. We then apply gel bait in small droplets, exactly in those spots. Cockroaches feed on it, return to their hiding place and pass the active ingredient on to others there.
On a follow-up visit we check whether activity is decreasing and top up where needed. Where it helps, we seal cracks and joints so fewer hiding places remain.
Your part: hygiene and no sprays
Good hygiene makes the treatment more effective. Do not leave dishes, crumbs or pet food out overnight, clean the floor behind the cooker and fridge and keep food in sealed containers. Fix dripping taps and leaking waste pipes, as water attracts them too. Do not bring cardboard boxes from the supermarket or a supplier into the kitchen, and get rid of them quickly.
Do not use aerosol sprays where we have placed gel bait. A spray drives the insects into other crevices and makes the bait unappealing. Do not wipe away the droplets of gel when cleaning either.
Cockroaches in restaurants and commercial kitchens
In a restaurant or commercial kitchen every day counts. We prefer to schedule inspection and treatment outside opening hours and work with fixed follow-up visits. Your staff get short, practical tips on cleaning behind appliances and checking deliveries before they go into storage.
Where cockroaches find food, mice are often not far behind, particularly in storerooms and cellars. Read more about that under mouse control. For an approach covering the whole building, from kitchen to loft, turn to our pest control in Apeldoorn.
