Confirm what you're seeing
Since cockroaches stay hidden through the day, the evidence, pepper-like droppings, a musty smell, shed skins in cupboard corners, tends to appear before the insect, whether that's near Aldgate, where offices and food premises close to the eastern edge of the City boundary, or elsewhere in the borough. Check behind kitchen equipment, under sinks and along cupboard hinges, and take a torch through after dark when activity peaks.
Smithfield's market buildings
The historic market halls at Smithfield and the food businesses around them share old drainage and basement space that predates most of the equipment now running through it, and cockroaches move between units along that shared infrastructure rather than staying confined to one kitchen.
Office kitchenettes and canteens
Away from Smithfield, most cockroach call-outs in the City come from staff kitchenettes, canteens and basement waste stores in office buildings, where a sink or floor drain that goes unused over a weekend can dry out and open a route from the drains below.
If you run a food business
A business has a legal duty under food hygiene law to keep proper pest-control procedures running - the same pattern holds near Bank, where the financial core. Record what you find and when, keep incoming stock clear of the floor, and inspect boxes on arrival - the same pattern holds near Temple, where legal chambers and historic buildings set around quiet courtyards and gardens. Tell us the type and rough size of the premises - let us know the type of premises and its approximate size when you get in touch, commercial jobs are always quoted individually - the same pattern holds near Temple, where legal chambers and historic buildings set around quiet courtyards and gardens.
What to avoid while you wait
- Spraying at cockroaches you can see, which scatters the rest into walls and neighbouring units
- Moving boxes or equipment from an affected kitchen into a clean area
- Leaving food waste or dirty dishes out overnight
- Bringing second-hand equipment in without checking it first
Booking cockroach control in the City of London
Cockroach control in City of London is £190 for a flat and £240 for a house (business premises quoted separately); since around Temple, where legal chambers and historic buildings set around quiet courtyards and gardens, telling us whether you are in a home or a business, and whether neighbouring premises might be affected, when you book cockroach control saves time, and the City of London cockroach control page has the rest.
