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 →Whether it is a family house, a seafront apartment or a food business, we explain what we find in plain words and agree the next step with you.
Seafront, harbour and homes spreading inland
Paignton has a long seafront, plenty of holiday accommodation, a harbour and family homes that run back inland. Each type of property attracts different calls. Holiday apartments and cafes deal with a steady flow of food, waste and visitors, while family homes tend to notice cockroaches around kitchens, utility rooms and bathrooms.
Cockroaches come in on deliveries, in boxes and bags, and through shared pipes and gaps. Once inside they look for warm, damp spots near food. The kitchen is the usual place, but they also use airing cupboards, bathroom panels and the spaces behind washing machines.
What the inspection tells us
In Paignton we look for droppings that resemble pepper or coffee grounds, egg cases, a musty smell and insects seen at night. Checking under sinks, behind units and around appliances shows where they shelter. Sometimes we use monitoring traps for a short time to see which spots are busiest and to confirm what type of insect it is.
Once we know where they live, we use a targeted treatment in and around those places and plan follow-up checks. We also give practical advice about cleaning, storing food in sealed containers, mending leaks and filling gaps, because treating alone is less effective if the conditions that suit cockroaches stay the same.
Homes, lets and kitchens around Paignton
We help householders, landlords of holiday lets and owners of cafes and takeaways in Paignton. Each job has its own limits: a family needs clear instructions about pets and children, and a kitchen needs to be back in use safely. We also cover Torquay and Brixham, so if you own more than one property we can look after them together.
Frequently asked questions
Are cockroaches common in Paignton seafront flats?
They can turn up in any building with warmth, moisture and food, and flats with shared pipework and bin areas are easy for them to move around. A cockroach in a flat is not a judgement on you; it is worth an inspection.
What is the difference between a cockroach and a beetle in my kitchen?
Cockroaches are flatter and quick, with long feelers, and come out at night. Beetles are usually harder, rounder and slower. If you are unsure, keep a sample in a sealed container and we can identify it during the visit.
Should I put down shop-bought traps while I wait for you?
Sticky monitor traps near suspected hiding places can help show where they are, and you can tell us what you catch. Avoid spraying around the room yourself, as it can scatter the insects and make them harder to treat.