Cockroach infestation: what to do

The fastest path to control is: work out which species you have, cut off their food and water, and bait the places they hide. A couple of roaches you can often handle yourself — but a German cockroach infestation breeds too fast for that and usually needs professional gel baiting.

First, identify the cockroach

German cockroaches are small and light brown with two dark stripes behind the head — the worst for fast breeding, and they love kitchens and bathrooms. American cockroaches are large and reddish-brown and usually come up from drains and sewers. Australian cockroaches are similar in size with yellow wing margins and tend to be more outdoor. Which one you've got changes how you treat it.

Immediate steps that actually help

Cut off water first — roaches need it more than food — so fix that dripping tap. Then remove food sources: wipe benches, seal food, empty bins, clean under appliances. Declutter cardboard and paper they hide in, and seal gaps around pipes and skirting boards.

Bait, don't bomb

Gel baits placed at harbourage points work far better than foggers or bombs. Bombs scatter roaches deeper into wall cavities and rarely reach where they actually nest, so they look dramatic but often make the problem harder to finish.

When to call a professional

German cockroaches, infestations that keep coming back, or roaches you see in daylight (a sign of heavy numbers) are all cues to bring in a professional. Targeted treatment breaks the breeding cycle in a way supermarket products usually can't.