About cockroaches in Essex homes
German and Oriental cockroaches are common in flats, especially in blocks with shared heating pipes and chutes. They hide during the day in warm, tight spaces, so you often only see them at night.
Signs of cockroaches
- Cockroaches running when you switch the kitchen light on at night
- Small dark droppings like ground pepper along shelves and hinges
- Brown egg cases behind appliances or in cupboards
- An oily, musty smell
How we treat cockroaches
- Inspection to find harbourage points and the species present
- Targeted gel baiting and residual spray in cracks and voids
- Follow-up treatments to break the breeding cycle
- We offer free advice on proofing and prevention, and an affordable proofing service to block gaps and entry points
Cockroach Control prices
Includes 2–3 treatments. No VAT to add. Fixed price confirmed before we start, with no hidden extras.
🎉 £50 off a second pest treatment on the same visit
Need two different pests treated? When both treatments are carried out on the same visit, you save £50 on the second one.
Quote code TWOPESTS when you book.
Cockroach Control: 5 frequently asked questions
How long does cockroach treatment take to work?
You'll usually see fewer cockroaches within days. Complete control normally takes 2–6 weeks because eggs hatch after the first treatment, which is why follow-ups are included.
Is the treatment safe for children?
Yes. Gel baits are placed in cracks out of reach, and we'll tell you when rooms are safe to use again.
My neighbours have cockroaches too. What now?
In blocks of flats, the best results come from treating neighbouring flats together. We can coordinate with your landlord or managing agent.
Why do I only see cockroaches at night?
Cockroaches hide in warm, dark gaps during the day and come out at night to feed. Seeing them in daylight often means a larger infestation.
Do I need to leave during treatment?
Not usually. Gel baits don't need you to leave. If we use a spray, we'll ask you to keep out of treated rooms for a few hours.
Dangers of cockroaches: 5 reasons to get them treated
- Cockroaches carry bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli onto food and surfaces.
- Their droppings and shed skins contain allergens that can trigger asthma.
- They contaminate food, crockery and kitchen cupboards.
- In blocks of flats they spread quickly through pipes and service ducts.
- German cockroaches can resist some shop-bought sprays, so DIY treatment often fails.
5 interesting facts about cockroaches
- A cockroach can live for up to a week without its head.
- A German cockroach egg case can hold up to 40 eggs.
- Cockroaches and their ancestors have been around for over 300 million years.
- Cockroaches can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes.
- Oriental cockroaches prefer cool, damp places such as drains and basements.
Cockroach Control near you
We provide cockroach control across Essex. Choose your town for local information:
- Cockroach Control Barking
- Cockroach Control Basildon
- Cockroach Control Benfleet
- Cockroach Control Billericay
- Cockroach Control Braintree
- Cockroach Control Brentwood
- Cockroach Control Canvey Island
- Cockroach Control Chelmsford
- Cockroach Control Chigwell
- Cockroach Control Clacton-on-Sea
- Cockroach Control Colchester
- Cockroach Control Dagenham
- Cockroach Control Epping
- Cockroach Control Grays
- Cockroach Control Great Dunmow
- Cockroach Control Halstead
- Cockroach Control Harlow
- Cockroach Control Hockley
- Cockroach Control Hornchurch
- Cockroach Control Ingatestone
- Cockroach Control Leigh-on-Sea
- Cockroach Control Loughton
- Cockroach Control Maldon
- Cockroach Control Rochford
- Cockroach Control Romford
- Cockroach Control Saffron Walden
- Cockroach Control South Woodham Ferrers
- Cockroach Control Southend-on-Sea
- Cockroach Control Stanford-le-Hope
- Cockroach Control Thurrock
- Cockroach Control Upminster
- Cockroach Control Waltham Abbey
- Cockroach Control Westcliff-on-Sea
- Cockroach Control Wickford
- Cockroach Control Witham
- Cockroach Control Woodford Green
Cockroach Control advice and guides
Cockroach Signs: How to Know You Have an Infestation
Cockroaches hide by day, so you often see the evidence before the insect. Here are the signs that point to an infestation and what to do next.
Read the guide →Cockroach ControlHow to Get Rid of Cockroaches in a Flat or House
A straight-talking guide to finding where cockroaches live, what you can sensibly do yourself, and when a professional visit is the faster route.
Read the guide →Cockroach ControlGerman and Oriental Cockroaches: How to Tell Them Apart
Two species cause most cockroach calls in UK homes. Size, colour and where you spot them will usually tell you which one you have.
Read the guide →Cockroach ControlWhy Cockroaches Keep Coming Back After Treatment
If roaches reappear after a treatment, it is usually down to hatching eggs, missed hiding places or a source outside your own front door.
Read the guide →Cockroach ControlCockroaches in Shared Buildings: Why One Flat Is Not Enough
In blocks, terraces and converted houses, roaches move between homes. Here is why treating one flat alone often fails and what helps.
Read the guide →