Pest Control
There was a time when cockroaches were contained to the warmer parts of the world but with global trading exotic fruit is not the only things transported in ships across the seas. In 2008 a single Stockholm pest controller visited over 1800 homes to exterminate pests, 500 more than in 2006.
Contrary to popular belief, cockroaches have existed in Sweden for a couple of hundred years. They were transported not in banana boxes from Brazil but from Germany in the 1700s and have been here ever since. Despite their long history in Sweden their numbers are without doubt growing, as are the number of cases of wall-lice and other pests. Home insurance agency Trygg Hansa have noticed the increase in cases over the years, particularly in western Sweden.
There are approximately 4000 types of cockroaches with the most common being the German roach, generally between 10-15mm. They eat anything and everything and destroy food by nibbling away at it. They also make a mess and smell badly, often leading to an allergic reaction. Furthermore they can spread virus and bacteria such as salmonella, gulsot and gulstafylokocker.
Cockroaches are active at night and hide during the day as they are particularly light sensitive. They run very quickly and can even fly short distances. Their preferred hideaway is somewhere warm, often under fridges and freezers where they can multiply in safety, stay warm and be close to food.
A widespread problem?
One cockroach case even made it to the Rental Tribunal when a tenant’s complaints to the landlord were made in vain. Apparently they were everywhere, even in the refrigerator, and it got the point where the family did not want to eat at home. The landlord was reluctant to find them alternative accommodation in fear that the roach problem would spread, but according to the tenant half of the apartments in the building were hit and pest control vehicles could be seen in the area almost every day. The roaches spread through the drains according to the tenant and not “food from abroad” as the landlord claimed. The tribunal ruled that the apartment had to be sanerad immediately.
One cockroach case even made it to the Rental Tribunal when a tenant’s complaints to the landlord were made in vain. Apparently they were everywhere, even in the refrigerator, and it got the point where the family did not want to eat at home. The landlord was reluctant to find them alternative accommodation in fear that the roach problem would spread, but according to the tenant half of the apartments in the building were hit and pest control vehicles could be seen in the area almost every day. The roaches spread through the drains according to the tenant and not “food from abroad” as the landlord claimed. The tribunal ruled that the apartment had to be sanerad immediately.
According to the company in question it is an issue that comes and goes and needs to be dealt with in a united way. All apartments adjacent to the one in question need to be fumigated in order for it to be affective.
What do I do if I discover cockroaches?
If you live in a rental property then you should immediately contact your landlord as well as your household insurance company.
If you live in a rental property then you should immediately contact your landlord as well as your household insurance company.
If you own your apartment or house your insurance company should be your first point of call, they will advise you as to how to react. Most house-home or summer house insurance will cover extermination costs.
Extermination
Once is not usually enough, extermination usually needs to be repeated once or even twice. Poisoned bait is laid, killing the cockroaches when they eat. The poison is mostly made up of chemicals that are not harmful to humans.
Once is not usually enough, extermination usually needs to be repeated once or even twice. Poisoned bait is laid, killing the cockroaches when they eat. The poison is mostly made up of chemicals that are not harmful to humans.
To find your local exterminators search on skadedjurssanering.