Warm weather turns Blenheim into 'cockroach central'

The hot, dry weather has led to a cockroach boom in Marlborough.

Cockroaches are bedding down in Marlborough letter boxes as part of a summer pest boom across the region.

McAs Pest and Weed Control and Carpet Cleaning owner Andy McAslan said hot, dry temperatures had resulted in an influx in flies, cockroaches and ants in Marlborough.

He had fielded several requests from people wanting their letter boxes to be treated to prevent cockroaches and other insects taking up residence.

Cockroaches were drawn to junk mail and other paper because it was similar to wood, McAslan said.

"It's a nice wee house for the cockroaches in the mail box and they just crawl in between the pages."

The breeding cycles of flies, cockroaches and ants became quicker in the warmer weather, McAslan said.

"Cockroaches breed incredibly quickly at this time of year with the hot temperatures so there's quite a few small cockroaches around."

Blenheim resident Geoffrey Pybus said he had spotted cockroaches the size of a $2 coin among the junk mail at his house.

He thought perhaps the cockroaches were among the junk mail while it was being delivered.

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Warm weather turns Blenheim into 'cockroach central'