German Cockroach

Infestations

German cockroaches are among the most common pests in commercial kitchens on the Gold Coast and Australia. Not only bad for business, these pests pose a significant risk to food safety as they carry diseases that can be transferred to humans and even trigger asthma attacks in some people. Read on to discover how to spot a German cockroach infestation and what you can do about it.

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How to Know if You Have German Cockroaches in Your Commercial Kitchen

Their size and appearance can identify a German cockroach. They have a light brown or tan body that's flat with two black lines behind the head. While they can fly, they prefer to crawl across floors. The size of a German cockroach ranges from between 1.2cm to 1.6cm, and females can lay up to 40 eggs simultaneously, which quickly leads to an infestation.

You'll know you have an infestation if you see cockroaches during the day, smell a musty and oily odour or spot faeces and cockroach carcasses.

Why Do German Cockroaches Love Your Kitchen?

These cockroaches are attracted to indoor areas that provide food, water and a humid hiding place. Commercial kitchens are a prime target due to the amount of food and food waste in the area and sinks, kitchen counters, cupboards and appliances. German cockroaches love to eat meat, sweet food, greasy food and starches, ransack garbage bins, pantries and more.

Tips on How to Prevent a German Cockroach Infestation From Taking Over Your Commercial Kitchen

The best thing you can do to prevent an infestation of German cockroaches is to make it difficult for them to thrive by keeping a clean and mess-free kitchen. You can do this by following these tips:

Close-up -German Cockroach

Practice Proper Food Storage

Seal all food in secure containers and keep them off the floor and away from the walls. Check that the containers don't have any cracks or entry points.

Control Food Waste

Empty garbage bins for collection regularly, don't leave food or waste exposed, use bin liners and clean the bins often.

Use Strict Sanitation Procedures

You should clean kitchen surfaces at least once a day, wipe down benches, sanitise equipment and utensils and remove any grease or food stains quickly. A handy cleaning schedule will help you to maintain a clean commercial kitchen and ensure nothing gets overlooked.

What To Do If You Have German Cockroaches In Your Kitchen

If you have a cockroach infestation, we recommend calling SafeHouse Pest Control for effective German cockroach pest control. We're highly experienced in working with commercial kitchens and restaurants on the Gold Coast and use the best non-generic products to control visible and hiding pests. We also provide a warranty and proactive, ongoing pest control management to ensure your commercial space stays free from all problems.

Don't risk food safety or business reputation - call our team today to get started.

Give us a call at 046 TERMITE or 046 8376 483