Exterminating & Pest Prevention 

German and Oriental cockroaches

Blattella germanica and Blatta orientalis​

The two cockroach species we regularly come across in and around Glasgow and throughout the west of Scotland are German and Oriental cockroaches, especially German cockroaches. ​

Please follow the links to our pest identification page to help you identify Oriental cockroaches and German cockroaches. Both, German and Oriental cockroaches are notoriously known to carry and spread various human disease organisms. In Scotland, German cockroaches live indoors only, and they prefer humid and warm environments. Oriental cockroaches are more tolerant of lower temperatures and may also live outdoors during summer months and in underground heating ducts. Both cockroach species are nocturnal. If you see cockroaches in your flat or house regularly during day ours, you can be certain that you have a heavy infestation going on, and you will need a good exterminator to help.

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Appearance, size, and life cycle of German cockroaches

In reproduction, German cockroaches follow incomplete metamorphosis - i.e. egg-nymph-adult. The size of adult German cockroach is from 12 to 15 millimetres, usually yellow/brown in colour. Female German cockroach carries up to 40 eggs in a structure (called ootheca) that is attached to her abdomen for 2 to 4 weeks. When nymphs emerge, they are white but darken as they go through 6 - 7 moults and grow until they resemble the adult insect. The nymphs live and feed alongside the adults. Average time required to reach maturity is 3 months. Although adult German cockroaches have wings, they do not fly but can clime smooth surfaces. ​

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Appearance, size, and life cycle of Oriental cockroaches

Dark brown to shiny black and very flattened body, size in adults 17 to 30 millimetres (bigger than German Cockroach). Oriental cockroaches also have wings; these are more visible in males than females. Neither males or females can fly but they have limited climbing abilities. The same as German cockroach, Oriental cockroaches follow incomplete metamorphosis - i.e. egg-nymph-adult. A female oriental cockroach lays 5 purses (oothecas) in intervals,  each containing about 16 eggs. The oothecas are deposited in harbourages where adults and nymphs cluster together, attracted by aggregation pheromone. Incubation time for the eggs is 6 to 12 weeks; the colder, the longer the time may be. The nymphs that resemble adults (smaller) live and feed alongside the adults. Nymphs go through 7-10 moults as they grow before reaching maturity in 6 to 18 months (the colder the environment, the slower development of the insect is). Adult Oriental cockroaches may live up to 6 moths.

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How we control cockroaches in Glasgow and Ayrshire 

Both, German and Oriental cockroaches are some of the most difficult insect pests to eradicate. In our treatments to control them, we use baits, residual spray formulations, dust formulations, and space sprays (ULV fogging). While a one-off treatment always makes a big difference, repeat treatments and monitoring with traps are usually required to eradicate cockroach infestations.​

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How much it costs to control German and Oriental cockroaches

Our treatments for cockroaches vary by the degree and extent of the infestations, but usually we focus on treating the kitchen and also the rest of the flat or house. The prices of our treatments are by the size of the property to be treated (or of its part). All the prices (on this page) are for 1 survey and 1 insecticidal treatment on 1 pest control service visit. We do not charge our customers more for treating heavy infestations, although, in the scenarios when eradicating severe/heavy or widespread infestations of cockroaches, we recommend repeat treatments in 2-weekly (German cockroaches) or 4-weekly (Oriental cockroaches) and consequent monitoring with insect traps/monitors. A 20% discount is available on the repeat treatments. Monitoring with traps is free of charge with repeat treatments. Heavy or wide-spread infestations of German cockroaches usually take us 4 combined treatments (in fortnightly intervals), plus monitoring with traps to eradicate; to eradicate infestations of Oriental cockroaches, we may need to administer up to 6 combined treatments in monthly intervals, plus monitoring with traps.

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To control German cockroaches:

£146      5-bed flat or 4-bed house       

£137      4-bed flat or 3-bed house

£127      3-bed flat or 2-bed house

£118      2-bed flat

£107      1-bed flat, studio or bedsit

£98         The kitchen only

£83         One room of an average size only​

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To control Oriental cockroaches:

£120      5-bed flat or 4-bed house       

£113      4-bed flat or 3-bed house

£107      3-bed flat or 2-bed house

£102        2-bed flat

£96        1-bed flat, studio or bedsit

£89        The kitchen only

£75        One room of an average size only

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Survey before treatment and identification of cockroaches

You might need our help with identification of cockroaches or you may prefer a separate visit for insect identification and survey done before an initial treatment. Whatever the case, we can help. You are welcome to use our pest identification aid on a dedicated page of the website, or take a close up photograph of your insect pest and email it to us requesting identification of the insect. We always do a survey before any insect treatment; however, you may request a survey and (optional) monitoring with insect traps to be done on a separate visit (prior to our visit for treatment) which would cost you extra £50. A follow-up visit to inspect our insect monitors would bear no additional cost. We can also identify your insect pest/s on the (optional) surveying visit. If you arrange for an insecticidal treatment within 1 month of the survey (that was done on a separate visit other than the treatment), and no monitoring with traps and a separate follow-up check were involved, you are eligible for a £20 discount off our initial insecticidal treatment.​

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What to do before, between, and after cockroach treatments​

For health & safety reasons, no people or pets are allowed in the property to-be-treated when we administer our insecticidal treatments for cockroaches. This takes approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. We recommend pulling furniture away from the walls by 1ft that would allow our technician for better access when spraying insecticide and applying gel/bait..

 

Vacuuming or sweeping and mopping the edges of the floor before each treatment is recommended for your convenience because you will be advised to not do so for 2-3 weeks after each treatment.