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 →We keep things low-key and clear, which suits a small village where people value discretion.
Older cottages and holiday lets
Shaldon sits on the south side of the Teign estuary, opposite Teignmouth, with older cottages, holiday lets and a village centre. Old buildings often have uneven floors, thick walls, gaps around pipes and cupboards that stay warm and a little damp. Those are the sorts of places cockroaches like to shelter.
Holiday lets bring their own pattern. Properties can sit quiet for periods, then fill with guests, food and luggage. If cockroaches have found a corner of the kitchen or bathroom, they can go unnoticed until someone sees one at night. It helps to tell us when and where it happened.
What happens when we visit
In Shaldon we look under sinks, behind units, around the boiler, in utility spaces and near drains and bins. We check for droppings that look like pepper, egg cases, a musty smell and live insects. If we need more information, we leave monitoring traps for a short time and collect them on a follow-up visit.
Treatment is then focused on the places where they shelter, with care around food and pets. We explain what to do before and after: clear the areas we need, avoid cleaning treated spots straight away and keep food sealed. Afterwards we look at how things are going and talk through simple proofing, like sealing gaps around pipes.
Quiet, careful service in Shaldon
Owners of Shaldon cottages and lets can arrange visits around guests, and residents can ask us anything before we start. We explain what we find without fuss and write up what was done. We also cover Teignmouth across the estuary and Newton Abbot, so if you have another property in the area we can look at that too.
Frequently asked questions
Do old cottages in Shaldon get more cockroaches?
Not always, but older buildings often have more gaps, damp spots and warm hidden corners that suit them. A newer house can have the same problem if there is food, warmth and moisture. It depends on conditions rather than age alone.
Can I deal with a cockroach in my holiday let myself before a guest arrives?
You can clean thoroughly and remove food, but that rarely clears a hidden population. If you have seen more than one, or signs like droppings, have the property inspected so any treatment targets the harbourage areas.
Will the treatment leave a smell or mess in my cottage?
Treatment is targeted into specific areas, so there is little disturbance. We will tell you what to expect, how long to keep certain spots clear and when it is fine to resume normal use of the room.