Athlone is busy, built-up and full of small businesses, so a lot of our work here is about stopping pests moving between homes, shops and takeaways that share the same blocks.
Cockroaches in Athlone flats and shops
Athlone has two cockroach problems that need different treatments. German cockroaches are small, brown and live in kitchens, and in council flat blocks like those in Kewtown and Bridgetown they travel along the shared plumbing ducts from unit to unit. Corner shops and takeaways see the same species behind fridges and stoves.
The bigger American cockroaches live in the sewer lines and come up through floor traps and outside drain grids, especially on warm summer nights. For German cockroaches we use gel baits in cracks and treat neighbouring units where we can. For American cockroaches we treat the drains and floor traps they come up through.
The ground is flat Cape Flats sand with a fairly high water table, so winter rain sits in low spots and stormwater drains run full. The Black River runs along the north-western edge before joining the Liesbeek near the Raapenberg wetland.
German cockroaches are a constant in flats and food shops, and Argentine ants come inside in numbers when the first winter rains arrive.
Worth knowing
In rented flats, cockroaches are often a building problem, not a tenant problem. Landlords and body corporates get far better results treating the whole building together.
How to tell you have a problem
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Why it matters: Cockroaches walk through drains, rubbish and decaying matter and then over plates, counters and food, spreading bacteria that can cause food poisoning and stomach illness. Proteins in their droppings, saliva and shed skins are a well-known trigger for asthma and allergies, particularly in children. German cockroaches can build up to thousands in a single kitchen within months. For restaurants, takeaways and food factories, a single cockroach seen by a customer or inspector can lead to complaints, bad reviews or a forced closure.
How we handle cockroach control in Athlone
Gel bait is the backbone of most cockroach treatments. It is placed in tiny spots inside hinges, cracks and appliance housings where cockroaches feed, and because they feed on each other's droppings, the bait passes through the population. We add an insect growth regulator for German cockroaches so the young cannot mature and breed. For American cockroaches, we treat floor drains, manholes and entry points with a residual product, and use dusts in wall voids and ceiling spaces. We avoid broad spraying of open surfaces because it is less effective and adds unnecessary chemicals to your home.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our cockroach control service works.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Clean behind and under the stove and fridge every few months, since grease build-up there feeds a lot of cockroaches.
- Seal gaps where pipes and cables pass through walls under sinks and behind appliances.
- Keep floor drains covered and run water down little-used drains weekly so the traps stay full.
- Check cardboard boxes, second-hand appliances and furniture before bringing them indoors.
- Never leave dirty dishes or pots in the sink overnight.
How much will it cost?
Price depends largely on the species and how big the population is, with German cockroaches in a well-established kitchen taking more time and usually a follow-up visit. The size of the home or business, the number of units involved and the amount of equipment and cupboards to treat all affect the quote. Restaurants and food businesses often go onto a regular contract, which tends to work out better value than repeated once-off treatments, and the quote is free.
For the occasional big American cockroach wandering in from the drain, a drain cover and some sealing will often do the trick. German cockroaches are a different story, and I would say DIY sprays and foggers make most infestations worse by scattering them into the walls and next door. If you are seeing small cockroaches in the kitchen during the day, you need a professional.
Questions we get asked in Athlone
Do cockroaches fly in Cape Town?
American cockroaches can fly or glide short distances, mostly on hot, humid nights. German cockroaches have wings but rarely fly.
Can you treat a whole block of flats?
Yes, and it is the best way to deal with German cockroaches in a block. Treating one flat while the neighbours are infested usually leads to quick reinfestation.
Why do cockroaches keep coming back in my Athlone flat?
In the council flat blocks, German cockroaches move through shared plumbing ducts and walls, so neighbouring units keep re-infesting each other. Treating the whole block, or at least the units on either side, gives a far longer result.
How many treatments will I need?
American cockroaches often need just one. German cockroaches usually need a second visit a few weeks later to deal with nymphs hatching from protected egg cases.
Why do big cockroaches come out of the drain in my Athlone yard?
Those are American cockroaches, and they live in the sewer lines under Athlone. Treating the drain, fitting a fine mesh over the grid and keeping floor traps topped up with water stops most of them coming up.
Why am I seeing more cockroaches after the treatment?
For a few days, cockroaches affected by the bait often come out into the open before they die. This is normal, and numbers should drop clearly within one to two weeks.
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