Cockroaches
Where Cockroaches Live in a Colindale Block
The borough page explains why blocks suit cockroaches in general. What helps most in your own building is knowing the particular spots to check, because they are the same few in almost every modern block, and knowing which of them is yours to deal with and which belongs to the managing agent.
The chute hopper on your landing
Where a block has a refuse chute, each floor has a hopper door. Bags that split as they go in leave food and liquid on the hopper and the floor around it, and the chute itself is sheltered and often warm. Cockroaches seen near the hopper at night, or droppings like ground pepper on the ledge, are worth reporting straight away.
The bin chamber
The chamber at the bottom of the chute collects everything, and it is where a population can build unseen. It is a communal area, so the managing agent is normally responsible for cleaning and treating it; reporting it is the most useful thing any single resident can do.
Boxed pipework in the kitchen and bathroom
Inside the flat, the warmest hiding places are where heating and hot water pipes run behind boxing or kitchen units, under the sink, behind the fridge and around the washing machine. Where cockroaches hide in kitchens lists them in detail.
Which kind you are seeing
Small, light brown cockroaches with two dark stripes behind the head are German cockroaches, which live indoors in warm kitchens. Larger, dark ones found at ground level, in a bin chamber or a damp service area, are more likely Oriental cockroaches. German vs Oriental cockroaches explains why it matters.
Signs to Check in Your Flat
- Cockroaches seen when you switch the kitchen light on at night
- Droppings like coarse pepper along the top of kickboards or inside the cupboard under the sink
- Small brown egg cases tucked into hinges, behind the fridge or in the boxing
- A musty smell in a cupboard with hot pipes running through it
- Cockroaches around the chute hopper or in the lift lobby
They hide by day, which is why cockroaches appear at night. Tiny pale insects trailing to the sugar are more likely ants, and droppings in the same cupboards could be mice.
What to Do Now
- Report sightings at the hopper, in the bin chamber or on corridors to your managing agent
- Tie bags securely and do not force overfilled bags into the chute
- Keep food sealed and wipe up under the kettle, toaster and cooker at night
- Fix dripping taps and leaks under the sink, since they need water
- Avoid sprays and foggers, which tend to scatter them into boxing and neighbouring flats
Booking a Visit
When you book cockroach control, say which floor you are on, whether the block has a chute, where you have seen them and whether neighbours have them too. Empty the cupboard under the sink and pull out what you can from the kitchen cupboards. How long it takes depends on the flat and on what is happening in the rest of the block, and seeing cockroaches after treatment explains what is normal. Get back in touch if numbers do not drop.
Food Businesses and Houses
Cafés, takeaways and shops in the commercial units at the base of blocks are quoted per site, because the size of the kitchen and equipment makes a real difference. In a house, cockroaches are rarely a problem and usually arrive with second-hand appliances or packaging. How cockroaches spread between flats and Cockroach Control Barnet cover the wider picture.
