Cockroaches are large dark beetles. The natural habitat of the cockroach is hot, moist conditions found in tropical and sub tropical countries. However, they have found similar conditions in our kitchens, bathrooms, ducts and sewers. This combination of habitats makes these insects a particular health hazard. They will crawl from dustbin or sewer onto kitchen work surfaces, carrying disease organisms on their feet and mouths. Cockroaches are nocturnal (active at night) and conceal themselves during the day in cracks and crevices, often around drains, sinks, cookers and in ducting.

It is said that a cockroach will eat anything and survive quite happily on a diet of cement, but are most often found in old places where there is a plentiful supply of food waste.

Their life cycle includes a stage in which the eggs are encased in a hard chitinous case, which can lie dormant for several months and is largely protected from insecticide. When the eggs hatch, the nymphs are adult cockroaches in miniature and have to go through several moults before emerging as a sexually mature adult.

They are gregarious, and given certain conditions can produce very large infestations of hundreds or thousands of individuals.

Two species might be encountered in Ireland, the Oriental Cockroach and the German Cockroach. The German cockroach is the smaller of the two and prefers a hotter more humid environment.

HOW TO TACKLE COCKROACHES

Control normally involves a combination of approaches, including contact insecticide, baiting, housekeeping and control of environment. Treatment is made difficult by the insects' life cycle and requires a minimum of 6 months of regular treatments, 1 year would be recommended. Even a year may not be sufficient, if, as is often the case, all sources of infestation cannot be treated.

SOME USEFUL TIPS

The Environmental Health Department could take serious action against any commercial food business found to be infested by cockroaches, and the damage caused to ones reputation could be irreversible. If you do find an infestation, call in the experts. They need to be got rid of!

Use sealants to seal up cracks and crevices around areas such as wall joints, where pipes connect to walls, or around the bottom of your toilet.

Cover voids in cabinets or under sinks with duct tape. Make sure that you do not cover any vents.

Use sticky traps (you can get them at most hardware stores). Place the traps in areas where you have seen roaches. Sticky traps can help pest control professionals identify what type of insects are present in your premises, locations of current pest infestations, and may indicate how certain insects are gaining access to your premises.