Cockroaches

Cockroaches thrive where food and water are available to them. Even tiny amounts of crumbs or liquids caught between cracks provide a food source.

Important hygiene measures include the following:

• Store food in insect-proof containers such as glass jars or resalable plastic containers.
• Keep rubbish in containers with tight-fitting lids and use liners.
• Keep bins away from doorways.
• Remove rubbish, newspapers, cardboard boxes, magazines, piles of paper bags, boxes and other items that provide hiding places and harbourage.
• Eliminate plumbing leaks and correct other sources of free moisture. Increase ventilation where condensation is a problem.
• Hoover cracks and crevices to remove food and debris.
• Be sure surfaces where food or beverages have been spilled are cleaned up immediately. Vacuuming also removes cockroaches, shed skins, and egg capsules.
• Removing cockroaches reduces their numbers and slows development.
• Vacuumed cockroaches and debris should be destroyed.
• As cuticles and droppings may cause allergies, it is recommended that the vacuum cleaner have a HEPA (high efficiency particulate absorber) filter or triple filters.