There are over 4,500 species of cockroaches all around the world, making up a key part of nature’s ecosystem as one of the most important household and commercial pests. However, the fact remains that only a select few species reside within urban environments and are considered today’s pesky, and unsanitary pests.

Cockroaches are nocturnal insects, and they’re generally active during the night and in the dark. However, in any case of spotting them in the daylight, high chances are, a heavy infestation’s already taken place. Oval-shaped and flattened dorsal ventrally, cockroaches easily slip and travel through cracks and crevices, and even hide in them with their backs touching the substratum. As a general feeder, cockroaches will feast upon almost anything, and everything that they find.

Life Cycle

A cockroach’s life cycle passes through three developmental stages: the egg, nymph, and adult. Its lifespan varies based on species, moisture, and temperature in each of the phases, and can usually live up to six to fifteen months.

• After mating, egg cases, otherwise known as ootheca, are produced, containing approximately up to fifteen embryos. Female cockroaches carry the eggs on the tip of their abdomen, before depositing them in a hidden location and allowing them to grow.

• Under optimal conditions, nymphs will emerge within twenty-four to thirty-eight days, and undergo metamorphosis. In shedding their exoskeleton, each round brings them closer to appearing more like adults.

• In the final stage, cockroaches are equipped with wings and reproductive capabilities, in a process that spans between six months to over a year.

Common cockroach species in Singapore

In Singapore, there are three common cockroach species that will most often be found, and those are:

American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)

American cockroach (or periplaneta americana) which are generally larger in size, ranging from 35mm to 40mm in length. Colour-wise, they come in anything from shiny red to chocolate brown, and can be found anywhere both indoors and outdoors, such as in sewage systems, or bin centres.

German cockroach (Blattella germanica)

German cockroach (or blatella germanica), which are 10mm to 15mm in size. From light brown to tan in colour, they usually linger at food preparation areas such as commercial kitchens.

Brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa)

Brown-banded cockroach (or supella logipalpa) are the smallest in size, from 10mm to 14mm. Ranging anywhere on the brown colour spectrum from light chestnut to dark brown, they’re commonly found indoors in offices or motor vehicles.

Signs of cockroach infestation

How can you tell if you’ve got a cockroach infestation in hand? There are usually telltale signs that’ll indicate if you have cockroaches infesting your property, and you can base it off these indicators below.

• Finding cockroach shedded skin around your premises. As cockroaches mature, they’ll shed their skin many times, and you’ll often see roach skins around.

• The presence of unpleasant odour around your environment. It is musty, foul, and lingers, turning more pungent as the infestation grows in size.

• Discovering egg cases (ootheca) or droppings that resemble tiny pepper specks or miniature pellets.

• Spotting live cockroaches that are crawling around, or dead cockroaches.

How to prevent cockroaches in your kitchen?

In an area where food is prepared and cooked, the kitchen attracts cockroaches often. Found usually under ovens, fridges, sinks, or even in kitchen cabinets, cockroaches follow food sources and leakages.

• After every use, wash kitchenware as soon as possible, and clean the kitchen, ridding any crumbs or spillages off counters or floors.

• With any water leakages from faucets or sinks, be sure to identify and rectify it immediately.

• Seal any cracks or crevices in the walls to eliminate cockroach harbourage.

• All food should be kept well and proper in sealed containers, and avoid at all costs, leaving food out unattended.

• Garbage should be regularly disposed of, daily would be ideal, and it should be covered with a tight-fitting lid at all times.

• In terms of the rubbish chute, opt for an airtight indoor version, and be sure to seal the opening and joints with masking tape before fogging services.

How to prevent cockroaches in your bathroom?

As a fan of dark, damp, and humid spots, cockroaches love to hide out in bathrooms. They’ll feed off toilet paper, dead skin, hair, toothpaste, and even soap bars, as they’re general feeders and can eat anything.

• Always keep bathrooms clean, mess-free, and make sure that they are dry and not wet with puddles of water everywhere. After use, ventilate the bathrooms properly to avoid humidity build-up.

• Seal any cracks or crevices in the walls to eliminate cockroach harbourage.

• With any water leakages from faucets or sinks, be sure to identify and rectify it immediately.

• Garbage should be regularly disposed of, daily would be ideal, and it should be covered with a tight-fitting lid at all times.

How to prevent cockroaches in your bedroom?

While uncommon, as resources such as food and water are limited, cockroaches can deflect to bedrooms when there is high levels of infestation or if they are in life-threatening situations. Bedrooms can serve as an access point to travel to other adjoining areas as well.

• Vacuum and clean bedrooms regularly, keeping it neat and tidy at all times.

• Avoid food consumption or storage in bedrooms, and be sure to clear any crumbs or spillages, if any.

• Seal any cracks or crevices in the walls to eliminate cockroach harbourage.

• Garbage should be regularly disposed of, daily would be ideal, and it should be covered with a tight-fitting lid at all times.

• Install door sweep to prevent cockroach entry.

• Do not leave pet food or water unattended.

How to prevent cockroaches in your car?

Yet another space that cockroaches can infest, they often enter and hide in the deepest and darkest spots of automobiles without their passengers even noticing. On average, Singaporeans spend 87 hours in traffic per year, and so, it’s important to prevent infestations for health and safety purposes.

• Clean and vacuum the car regularly to rid it of any dust or dirt that you may pick up along the way.

• Avoid food consumption or storage in the car, and be sure to clear any crumbs or spillages, if any.

• Avoid parking near bin centres and drains as they often house cockroaches that will seek refuge in your car later on.

• Before exiting the car, always make it a point to ensure that all doors, windows, and airconditioning vents are closed properly.

How to prevent cockroaches in your office?

Just like any other space, cockroaches can infest offices and what’s worse is that they could very well hitchhike back to your home with you.

• Vacuum and clean the office regularly, and avoid having any messes such as bundles of paper or trash lying around.

• Do not leave any food and drinks unattended, and be sure to properly and promptly store them.

• After each use, immediately clean all kitchenware and the pantry, clearing any crumbs or spillages.

• Seal any cracks or crevices in the walls to eliminate cockroach harbourage.

• With any water leakages from faucets or sinks, be sure to identify and rectify it immediately.

• Garbage should be regularly disposed of, daily would be ideal, and it should be covered with a tight-fitting lid at all times.

• Install door sweep to prevent cockroach entry.

While you can take prevention and cautionary measures to avoid allowing a cockroach infestation to build up in your spaces, in the event that it has already occurred, you should reach out to professionals to help you with such situations. Experts will be able to help you safely and effectively get rid of them, and that’s the best solution possible. Reach out to us if you need any assistance, and we’ll be right there!