Cockroach Control Southampton & Hampshire

A cockroach infestation is stressful, unpleasant and often embarrassing, but it is a problem we deal with regularly. At Dr Pest Solutions we provide professional cockroach control for homes, landlords, restaurants and food businesses across Southampton, Hampshire and a wide area of the South of England. Our technicians are trained to find where cockroaches are living and to deal with the problem properly.

This page explains how to spot the signs, how our cockroach treatment works and what you can do to stop the insects coming back. If you would rather speak to a cockroach exterminator straight away, call or message us and we will be happy to help.

Signs of cockroaches

Cockroaches are nocturnal and good at hiding, so you may see the evidence before you see the insects. Common signs of a cockroach infestation include:

• Live cockroaches appearing at night when you switch on a kitchen or bathroom light
• Small dark droppings that look like grains of pepper or coffee grounds, often in cupboards and corners
• A musty, oily smell that gets stronger as the infestation grows
• Egg cases, shed skins and smear marks along walls and behind appliances
• Damage to food packaging or pet food left out overnight

Two species are most often found in the UK. The German cockroach is small, light brown and marked with two dark stripes behind the head. It prefers warm, humid places such as kitchens, behind fridges, around dishwashers and inside appliances, and it can spread through a building quickly. The Oriental cockroach is larger, dark brown to black and slower moving. It is usually found in cooler, damp places such as drains, cellars, utility rooms and the ground floor of older properties. Knowing which species you have helps us choose the right approach.

Our cockroach treatment

As a professional cockroach exterminator, we follow a clear process so that the work is thorough and you know what to expect at each step.

• Inspection: we check the kitchen, bathroom, appliances, voids and drains to identify the species, find the harbourage areas and understand how the cockroaches are getting in and moving around.
• Professional treatment: we use two methods, depending on the infestation. Whole-property heat treatment at around 56-60°C is held long enough to reach cracks and voids, using specialist heaters and circulation fans to avoid cold spots, and kills all life stages including egg cases (oothecae). We also apply professional insecticidal gel baits containing a food attractant in the places where cockroaches hide, feed and travel: cockroaches eat the gel and carry it back to the nest, where the insecticide passes to other cockroaches in the colony (the cascade effect), reaching insects that are never seen in the open. We explain what we are using and how to keep children and pets safe.
• Follow-up visits where needed: some infestations, especially German cockroach problems, need more than one visit. Where it is appropriate we return to check progress and treat again.
• Hygiene advice: we give practical guidance on cleaning, food storage and waste so the conditions that attract cockroaches are removed.

Every property is different, so we always assess the situation first rather than applying the same treatment everywhere. Our aim is effective cockroach control that deals with the cause as well as the symptoms.

Homes, landlords, restaurants and food businesses

Homes: cockroaches are not a sign of poor housekeeping. They are often brought in on shopping, boxes, second-hand appliances or through shared walls and drains. We work discreetly and explain every step so you feel comfortable in your own home.

Landlords and property managers: we help landlords and letting agents deal with cockroaches in rental properties and shared buildings. Where flats share walls, pipes and bin areas, treating only one unit rarely solves the problem, so we can advise on a coordinated approach.

Restaurants and food businesses: a cockroach infestation in a commercial kitchen puts your reputation, hygiene rating and customers at risk. We provide discreet visits that fit around service, written reports for your records and clear advice for staff on how to reduce the risk of the problem returning.

Prevention tips

Once the cockroaches have been dealt with, a few simple habits make it far less likely they will come back:

• Wipe down worktops, hobs and floors every day and clean up crumbs and spills straight away
• Store dry food, pet food and cereals in sealed containers
• Empty bins regularly and keep lids closed
• Fix leaking pipes and taps, and dry sinks overnight, because cockroaches need water
• Seal gaps around pipes, skirting boards and cupboards
• Check boxes, bags and second-hand appliances before bringing them indoors
• Pull out appliances now and again to clean behind and underneath them

Areas we cover

Our service area is centred on Southampton, Hampshire and extends across Dorset, Wiltshire, Surrey, Berkshire, and West and East Sussex, around 100 miles in total. We regularly work in the following towns and cities:

• Southampton
• Eastleigh
• Winchester
• Portsmouth
• Fareham
• Basingstoke
• Bournemouth
• Poole
• Salisbury
• Reading
• Guildford
• Chichester
• Brighton

If your location is not listed, get in touch anyway. We cover many villages and smaller towns between these places.

Frequently asked questions

How did cockroaches get into my home?

Cockroaches usually arrive in shopping, delivery boxes, second-hand appliances or through shared walls, pipes and drains. Once inside they look for warmth, food and water, which is why kitchens and bathrooms are the most common places.

Can I get rid of a German cockroach infestation myself?

Shop-bought sprays often scatter the insects and can make the problem harder to treat. The German cockroach breeds quickly and hides in tiny gaps, so professional cockroach control is usually the most reliable way to deal with it.

Do I need to leave my home during treatment?

We will tell you in advance whether you need to leave and when it is safe to return, including guidance for children and pets, and what to prepare in the kitchen beforehand.

Do you treat restaurants and other food businesses?

Yes. We work with restaurants, cafes, takeaways and other food businesses, and we can arrange visits to suit your opening hours and keep disruption to a minimum.

Get a free quote

Think you have a cockroach infestation? Tell us about your property and what you have noticed, and we will arrange a visit and a clear, no-obligation quote. Call us or message us on WhatsApp and the team will help.

Our opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 7:00 to 20:00. On Sundays we are available for emergencies only.