Cockroaches

All I can suggest is that you spray the outside aircon unit with Oro or Zum. If a cockroach walks across that, it will soon snuff it. Alternatively, put some mesh, like mossie netting, across the outside unit.

Hi Jim,  Good to see you back in the game again.   Thanks for that advice.  Unfortunately, the unit is a bit too high for me to do this, so I shall have to call on some help from someone, but it's worth a try.   Can you get Oro or Zum from most places?   As you can imagine, I am dubious about sleeping in the room tonight, so I shall need to deal with this quickly.  There needs to be more "handy men" around.   Perhaps you could also recommend one of them!!!   

Thanks again and do look after yourself.   

Hi Jim,  Since writing my reply to you, I had a thought.  Would it be OK if I sprayed the unit from inside the bedroom, remembering of course, it is an electrical unit.  Naturally, I would not overdo it!   I have thought of getting the aircon guys out but they are expensive for a call out.  

Oro I get from Consum. I can't remember where I got Zum - it's very good, but it chokes you when you spray it, so I stopped using it. Mercadona also do an insecticida de larga duración, in a red can, but it doesn't last as long as Oro.

If you can't get at the outside unit, lift the flap on the inside unit, remove the filters, and give a good spray.

Fortunately I've not yet needed a handy man, so I can't help you there - sorry.

The continuing saga of the cockroach.  Just spoken to my air con company and apparently there has been a spate of this happening, mainly due to the Councils not fumigating as per usual.   He has suggested placing a stocking at the end of the drain pipe to prevent them getting in, but to remember to change this regularly.   He is not convinced that they can get in another way.  I AM NOT SO SURE.   As I don't like using chemical sprays I am reluctant to use the ORO but have read that they detest lavender, citrus and eucalyptus, all of which I have here.  Let's see.   I shall keep you informed Jim.  

I doubt they would get up the drain pipe, but anything is possible, so it's worth preventing. I forgot to mention that, if the outside aircon unit is mounted away from the wall, have a look at the pipes leading from it and going through the wall to the inside unit. If there are any gaps where the pipes enter the wall, seal those gaps.

I recommended Oro because a good spray of that lasts quite a few weeks. Obviously spray it when the aircon isn't running, and give it a few minutes to dry before turning the aircon on. A cockroach or ant etc walking across it won't die instantly, but it soon will. I spray possible entry points like door and window cills on a monthly basis. In fifteen years I've only had one cockroach in the house, and that got in through the roof. Incidentally, I've seen far more roaches since last autumn's floods that I have in all the other years combined.

Check  the manhole covers near your property  and if the council have treated the drains there will a green [ this years colour of choice ..!!]  paintmark indicating it has been done .

Sadly Rojales Council has not bothered to do any fumigating this year, and I don't believe they did much last year either.   They have a "so called excuse" this year because of lockdown...............!!!

All ours in Quesada [ dona pepa] where done last year , looked down when they did one near me .. not a pretty sight ..!!!