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Cockroaches
like warm, dark and moist environments. They hide
in cracks and crevices and are active at night.
They feed on almost anything with nutritive value
including all food humans consume; and other stuff
such as soap, glue, toothpaste, paper, leather and
excrement. Depending on species, they can be small
or large in size. |
AMERICAN COCKROACH
This species is red-brown, 3 - 4
cm long. They are the most common species found in the
Western Cape and are seen most often around houses, in
cabinets, restaurants, grocery stores, sewers and rubbish
dumps.
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ORIENTAL COCKROACH
These cockroaches are much darker
than the American and the Australian species. The colour
varies from dark brown to black.
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GERMAN COCKROACH
This species is amber-brown in colour
and, at 1 - 2 cm long, the smallest of all. It does not
fly. It likes warm and damp environments and is found
in kitchens, store rooms, under sinks and cupboards, in
drawers and furniture and around refrigerators.
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CONTROL
To get rid of cockroaches, the factors
that allow for its survival must be removed. It will help
a great deal if you follow the following preventive steps.
1. Keep food in tightly closed cabinets and containers.
2. Don't leave food waste in sinks, on tables or floors.
3. Wash dishes and utensils after a meal; don't leave
overnight.
4. Seal cracks and crevices in walls or floors with a
proper sealant.
5. Clear away old newspapers, boxes and cardboard cartons
as cockroaches like to hide in these items.
6. Inspect all incoming stock, crates and boxes for cockroaches
and their egg cases before storage.
7. If you have an infestation, professional help from
SWAT Pest Control
is the only long-term solution.
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