German Cockroaches
German Cockroaches are most commonly associated with kitchen environments especially commercial kitchens but also found in geothermal areas, apartments/flats and residential homes.
They are known to carry more than 40 pathogens including those that are potentially dangerous to humans and are also linked to allergic reactions and asthma. (list below)
In almost all cases, they must be introduced into a building or come from an adjoining building. They are master hitchhikers so can make their way into the home on something as simple as takeaway packaging or secondhand appliances.
German cockroaches are small and light brown.
They breed quickly with up to 40 young in each egg sac, they producing a new generation around every 60 days and young can breed as early as 45-60 days enabling them to go from one female cockroach to over a million in only a year.
Often seen at night in the kitchen but will scatter when the light is turned on.
They prefer warm areas like hot water cylinders and appliances such as fridges and modems.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the German cockroach is a known vector for diseases, people may become infected with any of these by eating or drinking a contaminated food or beverage, including:
– Salmonellosis – Salmonella food poisoning causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 12 to 72 hours. Symptoms are generally mild, but can be severe, especially for those with a compromised immune system.
Staphylococcus infections – This gastrointestinal illness develops soon after food is eaten and usually last about a day. The toxins are heat resistant so are not destroyed by cooking.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally lives in the intestines of people and animals and some types can cause illness with diarrhea.
Typhoid fever – This life-threatening illness is caused by Salmonella Typhi. When a contaminated food is consumed, the bacteria multiply and spread into the bloodstream.
Gastroenteritis – inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines, generally leading to vomiting or diarrhea.
How we get rid of them safely & without pesticide sprays!
We believe in avoiding pesticide sprays in kitchens and eating areas whenever possible, this is why we provide SPRAY FREE treatments for German Cockroaches, which are less invasive to the client
No need to empty cupboards prior to treatment.
No need to leave the home for several hours following the treatment.
Residential or Commercial (not kitchens/eateries)
Guaranteed in most residential situations if all recommendations are followed.
We have a 100% success rate with residential treatments.
This is also applicable to commercial clients such as office buildings, staffrooms or other non-commercial kitchen businesses.
Eateries/Commercial Kitchens
– including restaurants, cafes, takeaways or other sites that serve or process food
IT IS NOT NORMAL TO HAVE COCKROACHES IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS
(We are experiencing more and more businesses that have been operating with ongoing infestations and are under the impression that they can not be eliminated or that they are normal and unavoidable – This is not the case!)
If all recommendations are followed a guarantee can be provided to ‘standalone’ kitchens/buildings or those that do not have any other food businesses that share a wall or alleyway.
Introduction of infestation is often from suppliers, staff or neighbouring businesses, this must also be addressed to prevent re-infestation.
Proactive Pest Solutions recommend that ALL businesses that prepare and serve food onsite have regular and ongoing pest management that also includes management/monitoring of insects, rodents and other stored product/food pests.
Ideally this should be completed monthly by a professional and experienced technician and not kitchen staff that are also handling food.
This is not currently enforced by local councils, currently local councils do not require or enforce eateries to have monthly pest management in place.
Many operate with no pest management and ongoing pest issues.