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SECTION 5 - COCKROACHES
Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Cockroaches present an unnecessary threat to public health, especially in multifamily dwellings and commercial food-handling establishments. There are three main pest species: the American ( Periplaneta americana), German ( Blattella germanica) and Oriental ( Blatta orientalis) Cockroaches. The German and Oriental species are common in the UK. Cockroaches are highly adaptable and extremely mobile, moving into new buildings via sewer pipes, ducts etc. The Oriental cockroach is the most common and largest of the two. It can climb rough surfaces such as brickwork and will congregate around water sources. The German cockroach is smaller, but is able to climb vertical smooth surfaces.
Habitat
Cockroaches are nocturnal and they prefer warm dark spaces. Any cracks in walls, floors and ceilings or inaccessible void between and behind equipment should be eliminated.
Health Impact
Cockroaches can cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals, e.g., asthmatics, house dust mite allergen sufferers, and individuals exposed to infestations for long periods of time. Perhaps the most important effect that cockroaches have on humans is allergies. Their presence may cause an occupier distress. They can contaminate a range of stored food products.
Nuisance
It is essential to identify the pest species and locations where indoor and outdoor infestations are breeding or gaining access to structures. The use of commercial traps is an important step in determining the extent and severity of the problem. Traps can locate sites that need corrective measures. Trap counts provide a quantitative mechanism upon which to base treatments and evaluate the success of the control measures. Trapping can also reduce unnecessary treatments and thereby reduce the amount of insecticides applied.
Prevention
Control strategies should involve: prevention (built-in pest control); elimination of potential pest harbourages, such as clutter and cracks and crevices and voids; and prevention of cockroach movement across common pipes and conduits. The application of non-repellent dusts to voids should be repeated when flats are refurbished between occupancies. In addition to improving living conditions, structural repairs help reduce potential cockroach harbourages and movement within buildings. Cleaning and sanitation can be important in removing harbourage sites and sources of food and water. The application of insecticidal sprays, dusts and gel baits should be applied to cracks, crevices and voids where cockroaches harbour. Non-repellent insecticides should be used to avoid scattering cockroaches and slow-acting baits might be used indoors whenever possible to improve the control of early instars.
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