Cockroach control in Zoetermeer: which species?
In homes and commercial kitchens, the species we meet is usually the German cockroach. It is light brown, about one and a half centimetres long and has two dark stripes on the shield behind its head. It lives indoors, in the warmth, and comes out mainly at night. Typical signs:
- insects that race for cover the moment you flick the light on
- tiny black specks, like ground pepper, in corners and hinges
- empty egg cases or shed skins behind appliances
- a musty, sweetish smell when the infestation is large
How cockroaches get in and spread
Cockroaches rarely come from outside. They travel in cardboard boxes, crates from the wholesaler, second-hand kitchen appliances or removal boxes. Once inside, they creep into the warmest, darkest spots: behind the dishwasher, under the fridge, inside the microwave housing and in gaps in the worktop. In a block of flats they move to other homes along service shafts and cable ducts.
A female carries her egg case with her until the young are almost ready to hatch. That is why a small population grows quickly, and acting early saves a lot of work.
Our cockroach treatment: bait rather than spraying
We begin with an inspection and place monitoring traps wherever we find signs. That shows where the cockroaches are concentrated and how large the population is. We then apply gel bait in small drops in cracks, behind appliances and by hinges – exactly where they run. They feed on it and carry it back to their hiding place.
Because the eggs are protected inside the case, we return after a few weeks for a follow-up visit. We check the traps, top up the bait and see whether numbers are falling. The professional gels we use are reserved for certified pest controllers.
What to do yourself – and what to leave
In the evening, remove anything edible: crumbs on the worktop, dirty dishes, open packets and the cat's food bowl. Put waste in a lidded bin and dry the worktop and sink, because cockroaches need water. Seal gaps around pipes behind the kitchen units.
Do not use a shop-bought spray or smoke bomb once we have applied gel bait. Spray makes the bait less attractive and only drives the insects deeper. If you also find droppings and gnawed packaging in the kitchen, a mouse may be active as well; read more about mouse control.
Cockroaches in restaurants and commercial kitchens
A restaurant, snack bar or staff canteen is warm, humid and full of food. An infestation there is tricky, because the kitchen is in use every day. We therefore schedule treatment outside opening hours and choose methods that suit a professional kitchen. Suppliers play a role too: check crates and boxes on arrival and keep cardboard out of the kitchen. After treatment we keep an eye on the monitoring traps for a while.
You can read about all our services on our page on pest control in Zoetermeer.
