Cockroaches are one of the most common and stubborn pests in Malaysia. Whether you’re managing a restaurant kitchen, hostel dormitory, or your own home, a cockroach problem is not just unpleasant... it can be dangerous.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
How cockroaches survive even in clean spaces
Why they infest homes, shops, and food outlets
The cockroach life cycle
Why DIY sprays often don’t work
What you can do to prevent and control infestations
Cockroaches are expert survivors. They can live for weeks without food, hide in tiny cracks, and reproduce rapidly. Here's how they thrive in different environments:
Hide in cabinets, under sinks, and floor traps
Feed on crumbs, grease, and food scraps
Enter through drainpipes or air vents
Spread quickly from unit to unit
Feed on leftover snacks and unwashed dishes
Hide behind furniture, inside electrical sockets
Infest kitchen drains, storage areas, and dishwashing zones
Feed on grease, food debris, and garbage
Hide inside appliances, under shelves, and false ceilings
Even with regular cleaning, roaches can survive as long as they have food, water, and hiding spots.
Understanding their life cycle explains why infestations grow so fast especially in crowded or food-rich places.
Egg case (ootheca):
Carries 30–40 eggs, usually hidden in dark crevices
Nymph (baby roach):
Small and light colored, grows over several weeks
Adult:
Lives for months, constantly producing new egg cases
➡️ Just one female cockroach can lead to hundreds of offspring making early treatment critical in restaurants or shared spaces.
Whether in homes or commercial buildings, these are the top attractants:
| Environment | What Attracts Roaches |
|---|---|
| Homes | Crumbs, leaking pipes, cardboard, leftover food |
| Hostels | Unsealed snacks, trash bins, shared toilets |
| Restaurants | Grease, drains, floor waste, wet mops, bin areas |
| Shops / Offices | Pantry areas, food wrappers, standing water |
Roaches aren't just creepy they pose real health risks:
Spread of disease – Salmonella, E. coli, and more
Contaminate food & utensils – Especially dangerous in F&B settings
Trigger asthma & allergies – Especially in children
Damage reputation – For hostels, restaurants, and retail shops
A single cockroach sighting can lead to bad reviews, customer complaints, or health inspection issues.
DIY sprays, traps, and powders may seem helpful but they only kill the roaches you can see. The nest remains hidden.
Common issues with DIY:
Only targets surface roaches
Doesn’t reach inside walls or appliances
Cockroaches may adapt or hide deeper
Gel bait used wrongly, reducing effectiveness
This is why restaurants, dorms, and even homes often need professional intervention to truly eliminate the problem.
At PestSol Sdn Bhd, we offer targeted cockroach control for:
✅ Homes & apartments
✅ Hostels, dormitories, and staff quarters
✅ Restaurants, cafés, kitchens, and bars
✅ Offices, shops, and commercial buildings
Our treatment includes:
Professional inspection to locate nests
Long-lasting residual spray (harmless to humans & pets after drying)
Gel baiting inside cracks, sockets, and cabinets
Flushing to force out hidden roaches
Safe for F&B outlets (no residue on food surfaces)
We also offer routine monthly/quarterly maintenance for restaurants, hostels, and shops.
Whether at home or in business, prevention is key. Here’s what helps:
Clean all food prep areas daily
Keep trash bins covered and emptied regularly
Fix leaking taps or pipes
Store dry food in sealed containers
Close floor traps when not in use
Avoid storing cardboard boxes on floors
Schedule routine pest inspections if you're running a business
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