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Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council,
Town Hall, Coton Road,
Nuneaton, Warwickshire,
CV11 5AA.
Town Hall, Coton Road,
Nuneaton, Warwickshire,
CV11 5AA.
Tel: 024 7637 6376
Food Matters
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Spud's Down to Earth Advice on...COCKROACHES |
| Cockroaches are members of the Order Dictyoptera, one of the oldest and most primitive order of insects, thought to be 250 million years old. There are more than 4, 000 species worldwide, although only a few species are found in the UK, the two principal ones being the Oriental (or Common) cockroach (Blatta orientalis) and the German cockroach (Blatta germanica). There is general public distaste over their presence inside buildings generally, and in food premises is particular.
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Why are COCKROACHES a problem?They Can Spread DiseaseIn contaminated environments, cockroaches can easily pick up pathogens (harmful germs) and spread them onto food either directly or indirectly by contaminating food contact surfaces, such as worktops or food containers. They do this via their feet, faeces, saliva, mouthparts and contaminated body parts. In this way they can spread harmful bacteria that could cause foodborne illness, e.g. gastroenteritis, typhoid, dysentery and polio. They Can Physically Contaminate Foods Cockroaches also pose a significant threat of physical contamination of foodstuffs with their bodies (dead or alive) and body parts. In addition to such 'foreign body' contamination, food can also be tainted with the typical odour of cockroach, produced by their abdominal gland secretions, faeces, and saliva. They Can Threaten Business Livelihood There is widespread and understandable public revulsion to cockroaches. Their presence in food premises, and the consequent risk of contamination, can result in closure of food businesses, prosecution and fines imposed by a court. Headlines in the local media about the closure or prosecution of a food business with a cockroach infestation can severely damage both its reputation and its profits. |
Know Your Foe!Essentially, cockroaches are winged insects, although these may be absent or reduced. Cockroaches are oval and flattened with the head, thorax and abdomen of a typical insect. The downward-facing head comprises two compound eyes, long whip-like antennae and biting mouthparts. The cockroach also has 6 legs, each with 5 segments (tarsi). The front parts of the wings have a leathery appearance with well-developed veins. These wings overlap along the mid-line of the insect, protecting the membranous hindwings underneath. Cockroaches have incomplete metamorphosis with egg and nymphal stages only.Life Cycle/Biology The female insect produces egg cases or 'purses' (oothecae) containing a variable number of eggs which then hatch into nymphs, closely resembling the much larger adults. General Characteristics All nymphal stages and adults:
Differentiating Characteristics See cockroach factsheet below (view/download additional information). |
Proactive Action
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EradicationTreatment will require specialist pest control knowledge, competency and equipment.A systematic and integrated approach is required. A thorough site survey should be carried out, using sticky traps or other devices to determine:
The control treatment selected should then be carried out from the periphery of the infested area, working inwards towards the centre/source of the infestation. Most eradication treatments will rely on the use of residual insecticides. Bear in mind that the life/efficiency of applied insecticides will be affected by cleaning and washing activities etc.; re-application of insecticide is therefore likely to be required. The effectiveness of eradication treatments can be increased by making good any unsound surfaces and sealing off any possible cockroach harbourages. |
View/Download Additional Information Cockroach Factsheet pdf (106 KB) |
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