Advice
What Attracts Cockroaches Into a Home or Kitchen
Cockroaches look for warmth, moisture, food and dark hiding places, so understanding what draws them in is the first step to keeping them out of your kitchen.
Read the guide →If you have seen cockroaches, try not to panic or reach for a spray. A short description of what you found, and where, helps us a great deal. We will visit, look properly and explain the situation in plain terms before suggesting what to do next.
Old walls, old pipework, plenty of cover
Older properties in Colyton often have thick walls, chimney breasts, cupboards built into alcoves and floors that have been lifted and re-laid more than once. These create warm, dark voids where cockroaches can travel unseen between kitchen, bathroom and neighbouring rooms. A single leaking pipe in such a space can supply the moisture they need.
A village with shops, pubs and tearooms alongside homes also means shared walls, shared drains and bin areas. A problem in one building can show up in the next. We do not assume where it began. We inspect, follow the evidence, and explain what we think is happening so that you can make sensible decisions about the next step.
What to look for, and what we do
In Colyton, look for droppings that resemble pepper or coffee grounds, a musty smell near cupboards, egg cases and live cockroaches in the dark. Under sinks, behind fridges and washing machines, and around any pipe that passes through a wall are the places to check first. Note where you saw them and take a photo if possible.
Our Colyton treatment is targeted at the places where they shelter, and we use monitoring to confirm whether numbers fall. In a historic building we are careful about where treatment goes and keep it away from food and surfaces. We then give advice on cleaning, storing food and sealing small gaps. If another visit is needed we will say so plainly rather than overpromise.
Colyton and neighbouring villages
We cover Colyton, EX24 and the farmland around, and we also work in Seaton and Sidbury. Business owners can tell us the quietest time of day for a visit so that trade is not disrupted. Call the number on this page and tell us what you have found. We will arrange a visit and agree the plan and price before we begin.
Frequently asked questions
Can you treat a listed or very old building in Colyton?
Treatment is applied to the spots where insects hide, not by altering the structure. If your building has special restrictions, tell us at booking and we will plan around them. Any proofing advice we give is simple and usually involves sealing small gaps.
I run a pub kitchen. How quickly should I act?
As soon as you see signs. Cockroaches can spread germs onto food surfaces, and numbers grow if left alone. Call us, keep food covered and avoid spraying, and we will explain what to do before the visit.
Will my neighbours need treating too?
Sometimes. If we find evidence that cockroaches are moving through a shared wall or drain, we will tell you, and it may help to speak to the neighbour or landlord. We will explain what we saw so that the conversation is straightforward.