Now I’m not generally squeamish, or at least that is what I try to convince myself!  However, there are occasions when the word “gross” does spring to mind.  This is what happened last week when I got presented with a report from one of  our technicians……

He was called to a premise in London to conduct a survey as the caretaker had spotted a Cockroach.  The premise was a large building housing function rooms; all very clean and acceptable on the surface but not so much after deeper inspection.

Most places with function rooms will generally have a kitchen, which is where our technician thought would be a good place to start.  Spotting the general level of hygiene wasn’t great he took a closer look around the sink area and eventually followed the trail of dead carcasses to  the fridge!

Indeed German Cockroaches were found living in the warm area around the fridge motor.  Unable to survive out of doors in the British climate, Cockroaches will thrive around the heating ducts and boiler rooms of large centrally heated buildings such as hospitals, bakeries, hotels and restaurant kitchens.  They will cluster around pipes, stoves, and sinks, especially in humid areas, and will often remain hidden during the day.

Cockroaches will feed on almost anything, including refuse, faecal matter and  food for consumption.  They also require access to water as they will not live for more than a few days without it.