Lithium battery fires

Lithium batteries have caused fires in the rubbish lorries. Please do not put batteries in your waste or recycling bin. All batteries (including lithium batteries from e-bikes and e-scooters and other re-chargeable devices) can be taken to the Reuse and Recycling Centre at Northumberland Wharf.

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Cockroaches

What are cockroaches?

They are household pests that can spread germs and illnesses.

There are two main types found in Tower Hamlets.

These are oriental cockroaches (dark-reddish brown in colour) and German cockroaches (yellowish-brown with front black patches).

How do you identify oriental cockroaches?

 Oriental cockroach close up

Photo credit: Oriental Cockroach by treegrow is licensed under CC BY 2.0

They are:

  • dark reddish-brown in colour
  • usually about 1 inch (22 mm) in size
  • found in cool areas such as drains and basements
  • usually active at night

How do you identify German cockroaches?

German cockroach close up

Photo credit: German Cockroach by Sarah Camp is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

They are:

  • Yellowish-brown with a black patch on either side near the front 
  • usually about ½ inch (12 mm) in size
  • found in warm areas such as boiler cupboards and behind fridges 
  • usually active at night

How do you stop cockroaches coming into your home?

Keep your surfaces clean of food and grease. 

Keep food and left-overs in secure containers. 

Take care when you buy used furniture or electrical appliances. Cockroaches can be concealed inside them. 

How do you get rid of cockroaches?

You can buy insecticides from shops to kill cockroaches. But we advise to use professional pest control.  

We can check your home to find out where they are and where they are coming from. We can also lay traps to confirm which type of pest it is.

We will use poisons and sprays to treat the problem. There will be follow-up appointments to make sure the your home is clear.