Cockroaches
Why Cockroaches Are Rare in Totteridge Houses
The cockroaches that infest homes in London are mostly German cockroaches, which need warmth, food and water close together, and oriental cockroaches, which like damp, cooler places such as drains and cellars. In blocks of flats they move between homes along pipes and ducts. A detached house has no neighbour to catch them from, so an infestation normally starts from something brought in. How cockroaches get into properties explains the routes.
How they arrive
- Second-hand kitchen appliances, such as a fridge or dishwasher for an annexe
- Boxes and packaging that have been stored in a warehouse or shop
- Luggage and belongings from somewhere that had cockroaches
- Furniture bought second-hand for a staff flat or annexe
Where they might settle
If they do arrive, they look for warmth and water: behind the fridge and dishwasher, under the sink, round the boiler and in a warm pool plant room. A staff flat or annexe kitchen is as likely as the main one. Where cockroaches hide in kitchens lists the places to check.
Annexe and staff kitchens
A second kitchen in an annexe or staff flat is used differently from the main one. It may have appliances bought second-hand, be cleaned less often while the annexe is empty, and be kept warm by a boiler in the same room. If cockroaches do get into a Totteridge property, this is one of the likelier places. Why cockroaches appear at night explains why checking after dark is the best test.
Is It Really a Cockroach?
On a plot beside open land, a dark beetle that wanders in from the garden is far more likely than a cockroach. Ground beetles are common, black and shiny, and often come in under doors. Cockroaches are flatter, have long antennae and run fast, and they hide during the day. The signs of a cockroach infestation and German vs oriental cockroaches will help. If it is ants rather than beetles, see ant control in Totteridge.
What to Do If You See One
- Try to catch it or photograph it so it can be identified
- Check behind appliances, under sinks and round the boiler at night with a torch
- Keep food sealed and wipe up spills, particularly in annexe or staff kitchens
- Do not use sprays that scatter cockroaches into other rooms before they are identified
Booking Cockroach Control
When you book cockroach control, say where you have seen them, whether any second-hand appliances or furniture came in recently, and whether the annexe or staff flat is affected. A photo helps. You will be told what to expect afterwards, and why you may still see cockroaches after treatment explains when to get back in touch.
Stopping Them Getting In
Look over second-hand appliances and furniture in daylight before they come inside, paying attention to the seals and the back of a fridge. Keep delivery packaging out of warm rooms and recycle it promptly. Fix dripping taps and leaks under sinks, since water matters to cockroaches as much as food. How long cockroach treatment takes depends on the property and how far they have spread, which is why it pays to check properly after the first sighting.
Clubs, Kitchens and Businesses
Commercial kitchens, clubhouses, caterers and other businesses in and around Totteridge are quoted per site, as the work depends on the premises. For cockroaches in homes across the borough, including blocks of flats, see Cockroach Control Barnet. Other pests found in warm kitchens and plant rooms are covered by mouse control.
