Cockroaches: getting rid of them safely

No food, no water, no hiding places.

The answer in 2 lines. Cockroaches need water, food and hiding places. Take those away and their numbers drop: store food in sealed containers, dry the sink at night, fix leaks and seal gaps around pipes. If you use a product, choose baits placed out of reach of children and pets rather than sprays, and follow the label. If they keep coming back, or you see them in daylight, contact your council or a pest controller. In a block of flats, tell your landlord or managing agent.

The first 3 steps

Store all food in sealed containers and leave nothing out overnight, including pet food.
Cut off water: dry the sink, fix drips and leaks.
Seal cracks and gaps around pipes with filler or sealant.

Stop: danger

Never mix cleaning or pest products together: some combinations give off toxic gas.
Don't spray insecticide on worktops, dishes or near children and pets.
Never pour a product into a drinks or food bottle.
If someone swallows a product or feels unwell after using one, call NHS 111, or 999 if they are seriously unwell. Take the packaging with you.

Why they're in your home

Cockroaches like warmth, damp and food. They often live behind kitchen appliances, under the sink and in service ducts.

It isn't necessarily about hygiene: in blocks of flats they move easily from one home to another.

What works without chemicals

Clean behind the fridge, cooker and dishwasher.
Empty the kitchen bin every evening and keep it closed.
Don't leave dirty dishes overnight.
Clear clutter: cardboard and paper are ideal hiding places.
Vacuum corners and throw the bag away sealed.

If you use a product

Use a product sold for household use and read the whole label first. Gel or bait stations placed out of reach of children and pets are safer than spraying a whole room.

Air the room afterwards and store the product up high, in its original packaging.

When to call the council or a professional

You see cockroaches in daylight, or they keep coming back despite your efforts.
Many councils offer pest control for cockroaches, sometimes for a fee. Check your council's website.
In a block of flats, treatment works better when several homes are treated at the same time.

Good to know

If you rent and the infestation was there when you moved in, or comes from the building or other flats, it is usually the landlord's responsibility. Tell them in writing.
Your council can act if pests make a home unsafe or spread to neighbours.

In London, Leah sees cockroaches under her sink in the evenings. She stores everything in sealed boxes, fixes a small leak and seals the gap around the pipe. She also tells the managing agent, who arranges treatment for the whole block.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Useful numbers (England)

NHS 111: if someone feels unwell after using a product.
999: if someone has swallowed a product and is seriously unwell, or has trouble breathing.
Your council: pest control and private housing teams.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on 18 October 2026, for England. Confidence: high for the prevention steps and product safety advice; medium for who pays when renting, which depends on your tenancy. Council pest control services and fees vary. This guide describes common cases, not a diagnosis or legal advice.