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Original poster

Cockroach in kitchen

16 replies

RadiateTurner · 30/07/2019 16:29

Just walked in to find what I think is a cockroach in my kitchen. It was lying still and I've killed it, but I'm panicking because I've looked online and it says that's usually a sign of an infestation. I live in a one bedroom upstairs flat and I've seen no other signs. I've thrown lots of bleach on the kitchen floor and I'm about to steam clean it, but what do I do? I don't know if it's come through the drains or from my suitcase which is open in the hallway with washing in because I've just got home from holiday.

I feel sick, what do I need to do? The flat was deep cleaned 3 weeks ago and we saw nothing then.

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 30/07/2019 16:39

Could it have been a wood louse

theneverendinglaundry · 30/07/2019 16:42

Have you got a picture? They're quick little buggers and quite hard to kill.

I used to live in a large block of flats, where the boiler was in one centralised location and the hot water and heating pipes ran underground. They lived in there and would appear in our flat frequently although they didnt actually live in our flat. They like dark warm places.

ChopinIn10Minuets · 30/07/2019 16:48

They're also not that common in properly maintained homes in the UK. It's generally a bit cold for them here in the winter.

now the cockroach in the White House across the pond is a different matter

campion · 30/07/2019 16:56

Contact your local Environmentall Health Dept at the council. They will advise or maybe visit.
Cockroaches carry some nasty bacteria like salmonella and staphylococcus so you don't want them where you live!

Original poster

RadiateTurner · 30/07/2019 16:57

No picture. I hit it with a lucozade bottle and heard it crunch, the n poured bleach and boiling water on it, then hoovered it up. I've steamed my floors and now I'm going to pack my stuff and go to my parents' and stay there till the Council can come out and check there's no infestation.

It was too big for a woodlouse. All of my skin is itching.

OP posts:

Singleandproud · 30/07/2019 17:00

Where did you go on holiday? Is it likely it stowed away in your suitcase?

Original poster

RadiateTurner · 30/07/2019 17:10

I went to Paris and Corsica. I don't know. I got home on Saturday and one lot of clothes from the case has been put in the washing machine but the rest were still in the hall in the case.

OP posts:

Rollerbird · 30/07/2019 17:12

I was petrified I saw one in our kitchen and couldn't go back in the house with dd.
It turned out to be an earwig
(scary to look at)

Original poster

RadiateTurner · 30/07/2019 17:14

That is horrible! This was more circular shaped and black and really made a crunch when I hit it.

OP posts:

TheNightof1000Fans · 30/07/2019 17:14

Where are you in the UK? (~ish)

BertieBotts · 30/07/2019 17:15

If it was black it was probably a beetle of some kind. Cockroaches are brown and yes very uncommon in the UK as too cold.

Original poster

RadiateTurner · 30/07/2019 17:16

I'm in the North East, just outside of Newcastle.

OP posts:

BertieBotts · 30/07/2019 17:16

It's a bit late in the year but could it have been a cockchafer/maybug? They are horrifying but harmless.

TheNightof1000Fans · 30/07/2019 17:17

Oh god I was hoping you were going to say the hot south west!!

dementedpixie · 30/07/2019 18:22

I think you're overreacting a little. Can you not just have a look yourself to see if there are any more

Proseccoagain · 30/07/2019 20:04

I used to live in Singapore many moons ago, and I have had cockroaches in the laundry basket, and fall out of towels in the bathroom. It was normal! And when we lived in northern Australia we had to have our house fumigated twice a year as a preventative against cockroaches. I just never left any food out and was meticulous about cleaning.

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