Pest control service

To book Opkill call 0800 980 4142 - when calling, let the member of staff know you are a resident of Lichfield District - treatments cost £62.50 + VAT. Opkill will need a minimum of one visit.

About cockroaches

There are two types of pest cockroach commonly found in the UK, the oriental cockroach and the German cockroach. Both are quite large and distinctive winged insects with whip like antennae and are easily identified.

Cockroaches are nocturnal, hiding during the day in places like cracks and crevices, drains, behind cupboards and fridge motor compartments. 

They feed on almost anything including faecal matter and often carry germs that can cause serious illness in humans especially as they often contaminate food.

German cockroaches

Adult German cockroaches are about 17mm long and light brown except for the shield behind the head marked with two dark stripes, which run lengthwise on the body. The nymphs are wingless and nearly black with a single light stripe running down the middle of the back. Egg capsules are light tan.

Egg cases are carried by the female until just before hatching and each female may produce for to six cases during her lifetime, each containing 30 to 40 eggs. Eggs hatch in 28 to 30 days, and nymphs develop in 40 to 125 days.

Female cockroaches live about 200 days (slightly longer than the male). The German cockroach produces more eggs and has more generations per year (three or four) than any other cockroach, and only a few individuals are needed to develop into troublesome infestations.

Good food hygiene is the key to avoiding cockroaches. Keep food and rubbish in sealed containers where possible and clean up food debris and spillages as they happen. Put all food and drink away at night, as this is when cockroaches are most active.

An integrated approach involving the use of cockroach traps, insecticidal gels and well targeted use of residual insecticides where appropriate is recommended. Night time inspections may be necessary in difficult to control infestation situations.

Oriental cockroaches

Usually dark reddish brown in colour, the adults are about 25mm long and the immature cockroaches (nymphs) resemble adults except that they are wingless.

Unlike other pest cockroaches, orientals cannot climb up smooth surfaces. Oriental cockroaches generally live in moist areas, but can survive in dry areas if they have access to water. They tend to prefer cooler temperatures and thus are common in basements, boiler houses and walkways adjacent to buildings.

The oriental cockroach breeds well in unventilated crawl spaces or basements where humidity is high. Adult cockroaches can live up to one year, during which females produces an average of 150 young. This cockroach prefers to feed on starchy foods but will adapt to survive.

If you intend to carry out your own treatment, read the label of the pesticide container and follow the instructions carefully.