The way to get rid of cockroaches in a George home or business is to find where they're breeding and put bait right there. For the small German cockroaches that live in kitchens, that means gel bait in cracks, hinges and appliance voids. For the big American cockroaches that come in from drains, it means treating drains, entry points and the outside of the building. Spraying open surfaces on its own rarely solves either.
Know which one you're dealing with
German cockroach
Small, light brown, with two dark stripes on the shield behind the head. They live indoors, love warmth and moisture, and breed very quickly. The female carries her egg case until it's nearly ready to hatch, which protects the eggs from a lot of treatments. This is the one you find in kitchens, flats, restaurants and food shops.
American cockroach
Large and reddish-brown, and able to fly on warm nights. They mostly live in sewers, drains, manholes and outside rubbish areas, and come indoors through floor drains, gaps under doors and open windows. One in the bathroom now and then is a nuisance rather than an infestation.
If you're not sure, our identification page will help, or describe it to us when you phone.
Why George keeps us busy
George is the biggest town in the Garden Route, with more rain than the coastal towns, plenty of green, and a mix of buildings that suits cockroaches in different ways. Older suburbs such as Denneoord, Heatherpark and Blanco have kitchens that have been refitted more than once, often leaving voids behind cupboards and under kick plates. Golf and security estates have newer homes, but also shared sewer lines and clubhouse kitchens. Then there's the commercial side: restaurants and takeaways, shops, and warehouses and factories in the industrial areas, where deliveries bring cockroaches in on boxes and pallets.
Signs you've got them
- Cockroaches scattering when you switch on the kitchen light at night
- Small dark droppings, like ground pepper, in drawers and on shelves
- Brown egg cases tucked into corners and hinges
- A musty, oily smell in cupboards when the infestation is heavy
- Seeing them in daylight, which usually means there are a lot
How we treat cockroaches
- Inspection. We find the harbourage: behind the fridge and stove, under the sink, around the dishwasher and microwave, in electrical boxes and in cupboard hinges. For American cockroaches we look at drains, manholes and gaps at ground level.
- Gel baiting. Pinhead dots of gel bait go into the cracks and voids where they live. Cockroaches feed, return to their hiding place and die there, and the bait passes on to others in the group.
- Barrier treatment. An odourless, non-staining residual spray goes where it adds value, such as around drains, door thresholds and the outside of the building, to stop new arrivals.
- Follow-up. For heavier German cockroach problems, a second visit catches the young that hatch from egg cases after the first treatment.
You don't have to empty your cupboards or leave home. Once treated areas are dry, they're safe for children and pets.
Restaurants, food shops and warehouses
A commercial kitchen can go from clean to infested quickly if a single delivery brings cockroaches in. For food businesses in George, a regular service contract is the sensible route: scheduled visits, baiting and inspection of the high-risk areas, and a call-back if staff spot activity between visits. We work around trading hours so the kitchen doesn't have to close. Warehouses and distribution sites get a similar plan, with attention on loading bays, staff kitchens and drains.
Flats, townhouses and complexes
In shared buildings, cockroaches travel through service ducts, plumbing runs and refuse rooms, so treating one unit on its own can simply push them next door. Where we can, we treat neighbouring units and common areas together, and we'll work with the body corporate or managing agent to arrange access. If only your unit can be done, we concentrate on the routes in from shared walls and pipes, and on keeping your kitchen a poor place to live.
Why shop-bought sprays make it worse
Aerosols and bug bombs kill the cockroaches they hit and scatter the rest deeper into walls, appliances and the next room. Many leave a repellent residue that makes cockroaches avoid gel bait put down later. If you've already sprayed, tell us and we'll work around those areas.
Prevention that works in George
George's wet spells matter here. Heavy rain floods drains and pushes American cockroaches up and out, so make sure floor drains have covers and outside gullies have intact grids. Keep gutters and downpipes clear so water doesn't pool against walls. Indoors, fix dripping taps and leaking geyser pipes, don't leave dishes or pet food out overnight, and check delivery boxes before you put them in the pantry.
How much will it cost?
It depends on the type of cockroach, the size of the property, how established the infestation is and whether you need a follow-up visit or a contract. A German cockroach problem in one house kitchen is a fairly quick job. A restaurant, a block of flats or a warehouse takes longer and is often best on a regular service plan. We'll inspect and quote before we start. If you've seen one American cockroach come in from the garden, you probably don't need us: check the drain covers and the gap under the door first.
Cockroach control around the Garden Route
We work from Denneoord in George and cover the whole region. See our pages for Mossel Bay, Knysna, Wilderness and Oudtshoorn, or go back to our main pest control in George page.
When you're ready, phone 044 012 5011. We're SAPCA registered, have worked in the Garden Route for more than 25 years, and give a 3-month guarantee on cockroach treatments.
Questions we get asked
How long does gel bait take to work?
You'll usually see dead or dying cockroaches within a few days, with activity dropping steadily over the next week or two. Heavy infestations take longer, which is why we follow up.
Should I clean before you come?
Do your normal cleaning, but don't spray insecticide or wipe cupboards with strong cleaners just before the visit. Fresh chemical residue can put cockroaches off the bait.
Can cockroaches come in from my neighbour?
Yes, especially in flats, townhouses and semi-detached homes with shared walls and plumbing. If your neighbour has them too, treating both properties together gives the best result.
Do cockroaches spread disease?
They can. Cockroaches walk through drains and rubbish and then over food surfaces, carrying bacteria with them, and their droppings and shed skins can trigger allergies and asthma in some people.
Do you offer cockroach contracts for restaurants in George?
Yes. We set up regular service visits around your trading hours, with baiting and inspection of the high-risk areas in the kitchen and stores.
Will one treatment be enough?
For a light infestation, often yes. For an established German cockroach problem, plan on a follow-up visit. Either way, the treatment carries our 3-month guarantee.