'Home invasion' trigger message for anyone turning their heating on in September

'Home invasion' trigger message for anyone turning their heating on in September Warm homes can become a perfect breeding ground for these creepy crawlies As the weather starts to cool down in September, the change could be enough to tempt Brits to do something they haven't in months - switch on the heating. It's probably been quite a while since your system was used, but it could be just the thing that triggers something far less welcome. Pest control experts claim that, with the weather set to drop to lows of 3°C in certain parts in just weeks, homes can suddenly become prime territory for cockroaches. Once the heating goes back on, warmth and humidity rise indoors, giving them a new sense of life. These tough bugs may have been sitting quietly in gaps, pipe runs and other undisturbed spots, waiting for conditions to improve. Once the house heats up, they’re more likely to leave their hiding places to search for food and water, making them easier for people to notice. The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) claims people should not brush off a cockroach sighting as something minor. It said: "Cockroaches move from sewers, drains, into buildings and human habitats. "This means that when they’re in your building, foraging for food and water, they will contaminate anything they come into contact with. They are vectors of disease, known to carry the organisms which cause food poisoning in humans and many other bacteria, such as salmonella, staphylococcus and streptococcus." Where will cockroaches head first? Kitchens tend to be a primary zone because that’s where water, crumbs and warmth collide, especially when the weather turns cold, and the heating goes on. The BPCA adds that cockroaches prefer warm, damp areas, including loft spaces and the hidden warmth around appliance motors. There are also tell-tale signs that can appear before you actually spot one scuttling across the floor. Watch out for droppings, egg cases, shed skins, a strong, musty smell (sign of a bigger problem), and damage to food or its packaging. James Copley, owner at Copley Pest Solutions, said: "A female cockroach produces many offspring, which means small problems become major infestations rapidly". Like many pest control specialists, James added that regular cleaning prevents infestations, so he suggests that homeowners should vacuum regularly, wipe surfaces clean of food residue, and fix any leaking pipes promptly. What to do if you suspect cockroaches If you have a suspected or known infestation, turning on the heating can actually be used to your advantage for monitoring and treatment. Because they will begin to move, it is the absolute best time to catch them. First, deploy some sticky traps before you turn the heating on (or right after). Focus on areas such as behind the boiler, beneath radiators, and along the skirting boards near heating pipes as this will catch them as they are lured out by the warmth. If you find cockroaches stuck to your traps after turning on the heating, you have confirmed an active infestation. While it is a positive sign, empty traps might not always mean you are in the clear. The BPCA says it would always recommend contacting a professional pest management company to help with your cockroach infestation. Use the link above if you need to find someone locally.