Cockroach: Least-Toxic Control

Cockroaches are probably the household pest that conjure up the strongest feelings of disgust. They eat household food items and contaminate them with their saliva and excrement; they also produce secretions that leave an odour. The two most common varieties found in Northern Europe are the German cockroach and the oriental cockroach. See our factsheet for more details.

Monitoring

q       Sticky traps

available from

- Killgerm sells “Blanko’s Cockroach Trap’ and others

- Barrettine Environmental

- Agralan

q       Baited traps

available from

- Exosect

Physical controls

q       Store food in containers which close tightly

q       Waste food items should be thrown in a lidded bin which doesn't allow access to cockroaches

q       Tightly seal any cracks or holes around windows or skirting boards 

q       Diatomaceous earth can be placed in dead spaces and is effective in dry conditions

available from

- Diatomaceous Earth UK

q       Steam cleaning

q       Vacuuming

q       Heat treatment (heat affected area to 55^oC for 1 hour)

Least-toxic chemical controls

q       Clean surfaces with a boric acid (borax)-based product and place baits containing boric acid around skirting boards. Be careful to use a mask if applying boric acid as a dust.