Insect
American Cockroach
Periplaneta americana
American cockroaches (called 'Parktown Prawns' by some Joburg residents, though the true Parktown prawn is a cricket) are the giant reddish-brown roaches you see in bathrooms, drains and roof voids across Kempton Park. They originate outside in sewers, stormwater systems and palm-tree litter, then enter through plumbing stacks and ceiling gaps. Treatment must combine perimeter residual, drain treatment and roof-void dusting.
How to identify
- 35–40 mm reddish-brown body, glossy yellow figure-8 mark behind the head
- Capable of short flights at high temperatures
- Active at night, runs fast when disturbed
- Long thin antennae, often as long as the body
Where they hide
- Stormwater drains, sewers and manholes
- Roof voids, ceiling cavities and chimney breasts
- Bathroom plumbing stacks and geyser cupboards
- Outdoor leaf litter and palm-tree skirts
Health & property risks
- Spreads bacteria from sewers into living spaces
- Aggravates asthma in children and the elderly
- Contaminates open food and toothbrushes overnight
- Causes severe disgust response — guest-house deal-breaker
Prevention tips
- Fit drain covers and bath overflow mesh
- Seal roof eaves and chimney openings with mesh
- Treat outdoor harbourage (leaf litter, palm skirts)
- Schedule a 6-monthly roof-void dust + perimeter treatment
FAQs
American Cockroach — answered
Everything Kempton Park homeowners ask before booking treatment.
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