Cockroach infestations in drains involve species such as the oriental cockroach, sometimes called the black beetle, breeding in the damp, organic-rich environment of sewers and waste pipes. The insects typically emerge at night through gullies, broken drain covers, defective access points and around poorly sealed soil pipe penetrations. In London the issue is found most often in older terraces, basement flats and food-related premises where extensive pipework provides multiple harbourages. Engineers usually identify entry points by carrying out a CCTV drain survey and inspecting visible drainage. Sealing of defective drain pipes under BS EN ISO 11296, replacement of broken gullies and improvement of rodent stops typically addresses the route. Eradication is normally carried out by a pest control contractor with experience of drainage-related infestations working alongside the drainage engineer.
Cockroach infestation in drains
Cockroaches breeding inside drain runs and emerging through fittings or gullies.
