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 →Cockroaches keep out of sight by day, so a single sighting usually means more are tucked away nearby. Our job is to find the hiding places, treat them properly and tell you plainly what needs changing so they do not come back.
Why older town buildings suit cockroaches
Totnes has an historic centre, and older buildings tend to have the things cockroaches like: warm pipework, boxed-in services, gaps behind units and cellars or yards that stay damp. A roach can travel between neighbouring properties along those routes, which is why a problem in one shop or flat sometimes turns up next door.
With independent shops, cafes and flats above them sitting close together, shared bin areas and drains are worth checking too. We look at the whole picture rather than just the room where you spotted one, because treating a single kitchen while the source sits next door rarely holds.
What we look for and how we treat it
On the first visit the technician looks for the signs: droppings that resemble ground pepper or coffee grounds, small egg cases, a musty smell and live insects when the lights go on. Behind kitchen units, under sinks, around dishwashers and fridges and near drains are the usual places.
Once we know where they are living, we apply a targeted treatment to those harbourages and place monitoring so we can see what is still active. We then walk you through cleaning, food storage and gap-sealing advice. Roaches can spread germs onto food surfaces, so we take kitchens and food rooms seriously and keep you informed throughout. Throughout the Totnes visit we keep notes so you know what was found.
Homes, businesses and rural properties around Totnes
We work for householders, landlords and food businesses in Totnes, and we also cover Dartmouth and Newton Abbot if the problem is further afield. Whether it is a flat above a shop or a farmhouse just outside the town in TQ9, we agree the plan with you before starting and explain what to expect at each visit.
Frequently asked questions
I saw one cockroach in my Totnes flat. Should I worry?
One sighting is worth taking seriously, because cockroaches are nocturnal and the ones you see are usually a small part of the group. Check behind appliances and under the sink for droppings, and get in touch so we can inspect and confirm whether they are breeding.
Can cockroaches travel between shops and flats in town centre buildings?
Yes. They move along pipes, ducts and gaps in shared walls, so a neighbouring property can be the source. We check shared areas where we can and recommend that adjoining occupiers are told, so the whole building is dealt with together.
Do I need to empty my kitchen before you treat?
Usually not the whole kitchen, but we will ask you to clear the areas we are treating, such as the cupboard under the sink, and cover or put away open food. We explain exactly what to move when we book the visit.