Appearance
This cockroach species is light brown of colour and has two clearly black longitudinal stripes on the breastplate. Long antennae, large wings. Approximately 12 – 16mm long. The nymphs (younger stages) are 2 – 12mm long, wingless. The egg package is light brown and about 8 mm long.

What causes cockroaches?
Cockroaches originate from the tropics and can hide in the packaging of tropical products. In addition, cockroaches can be found in packing boxes, boxes from the supermarket, second-hand goods / household appliances and eve rented videotapes. Cockroaches can also simply ‘hitch-hike’ with clothes or luggage.

General
Cockroaches are very common in centrally heated buildings, food production companies and aboard ships. These insects are undesired, because they contaminate food and can transmit bacteria and fungal spores. They spread an unpleasant odour and are a big nuisance due to the great numbers in which they can exist.

Lifestyle
Cockroaches can move very quickly, even across the ceiling, walls and other surfaces. Once cockroaches have invaded a home, they look for a dark hiding place. The reason for this is that cockroaches shun the light. In a dark, warm and moist place they can easily survive and reproduce. You can always crush cockroaches or pour boiling water over them. There are male and female cockroaches. The female carries an egg package containing about 30 eggs. One cockroach couple can – in optimal circumstances – produce about 400.000 offspring in one year.

Cockroaches are omnivores. Still they can survive in a clean, hygienic house. The reason for this is that adult cockroaches can last 40 days without food! If your house if very dirty, the cockroach will thrive and reproduce very quickly.

How do I repel the cockroach?
Check your goods for cockroaches before you take them into your home; Properly ventilate your house and don’t raise the temperature too high. The cockroach is very comfortable at 25’C; Store your food and waste properly so that cockroaches can’t reach them. If you use canisters, that prevents other vermin to reach your food as well. Clean your kitchen frequently and thoroughly. Seal cracks, seams and conduit openings of pipes.

Prevention
Good hygiene and being alert to the presence of cockroaches in received goods and products, can help prevent cockroaches from multiplying into large numbers in objects. Properly carried out control can resolve the nuisance.

Control
After a thorough inspection and inventory of the relevant object, a control plan is drawn up. In consultation with users / residents of the building time of action, preparation etc are agreed on. To kill the cockroaches, a bait gel is applied which will be applied to all possible hiding places. These substances, which are permitted by the government, can only be used by control professionals. The people involved will be informed in advance of the measures to be taken.