Cockroaches

Cockroaches are flat, crawling, mostly light brown insects with long antennae. At nuisance of cockroaches the majority of cases are related to the German cockroach (Blatella germanica), the brown band cockroach (Supella longipalpa) can also occur.

The German cockroach species is light brown in color and has two distinct black longitudinal stripes on the breastplate. Long antennae, large wings. Approximately 12 – 16mm long. The nymphs (younger stages) are 2 – 12mm long, wingless. The egg package is light brown and about 8 mm long.

Cockroaches are very common in centrally heated buildings, food production companies and on board of ships. Cockroaches are shunning the light and active at night. During the day they hide in warm dark moist places. Cockroaches spread easily through cracks, ventilation ducts and the passage of pipes. Cockroaches reproduce quickly and are very resistant. The insects are undesirable, because they, among other, contaminate food and transmit bacteria and fungal spores. Cockroaches carry many serious diseases including salmonella, dysentery, gastroenteritis and typhoid.

Cockroaches withstand lack of food for quite some time, they do not need much and dozens of cockroaches can survive on a single fat droplet. To prevent a cockroach infestation settles or is spreading to surrounding buildings, fast intervention is essential.

The typical signs of a cockroach problem are:

Cockroaches are nocturnal animals and hide during the day.
Eggshells and fallen skin – cockroaches lose with age their skin 5 to 8 times.
Feces – cockroaches let dust of black droppings, less than 1 mm wide and of varying lenghts.
Odour – established cockroach infestations produce an unpleasant , foul air .
Damage – cockroaches will eat everything organic , including paper and textile .

Treatment: Controlled Atmosphere for infestation in product
Treatment: Heat Treatment for infestation in buildings