Cockroach Pest Guide - What should consumers know about this common pest?
What is it about cockroaches that make us so restless and nervous? Is it because of their ugly appearance or their chaotic quick movements? Is it because we consider them as disease carriers or is it because of their ability to show their heads when least expected? Maybe it is a combination of all these things but no matter what your opinion on cockroaches is, it is a fact that you do not want to see them anywhere close.
Learn more about one of the most common pests infesting Australian homes today. Find out how you can stop these pests by consulting our cockroach pest control Sydney experts.
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Why are cockroaches considered as pests
Why do we consider cockroaches as pests and why do homeowners want to clear their premises of them? Having a cockroach infestation is a violation of health regulations and can result in rigorous fines for commercial businesses.
While there is no real proof that cockroaches are disease-carriers like in the case of flies and rats, they are certainly not hygienic after crawling in drains and sewers. Even worse, people can develop allergies to both cockroaches and their faeces. Research has shown that there is a connection between cockroach allergens and asthma. Cockroaches are also known to cause dermatitis and rhinitis. These allergens are dangerous to children as it has been found that exposure to these allergens early in life can be responsible for the development of asthma. Disease carriers or not, one thing is certain cockroaches cause disgust and are associated with poor hygiene standards.
If you have any cockroach-related questions, you may consult our experts!
How can you effectively stop a cockroach infestation? What are the latest industry practices and which cockroach pest control methods are the most effective?
Continue reading this guide to learn more about the cockroach behaviour and how these pests can be easily removed using a strategic pest control approach.
If you have any questions about a cockroach problem, you may reach us thru chat, send us a message or call (02) 8007 4666.
Cockroaches Pest Control
Common Cockroach Species in Australia
German Cockroaches (Blattella germanica)
A common house cockroach, German Cockroaches can grow up to 1.5 cm in length when fully grown. They are easily identified by their long antennae which are used to detect chemical compounds, moisture, air currents and sound waves. They prefer moist and warm areas and can often be found in kitchens and bathrooms. They are brown in colour and have two dark streaks which run from their head to the base of their wings. The biggest difference between German Cockroaches and other cockroach species is that female German cockroach carry their ootheca with them during germination while other females deposit their ootheca.
American Cockroaches (Periplaneta americana)
American Cockroaches are very large roaches which can grow up to 4 centimetres in length. They can be found in basements, boiler rooms and all other places that are dark, moist and warm. They are difficult to notice as they run away at the first sign of light. Both males and females have wings and some flight capabilities but luckily for us, they rarely fly.
Brown-Banded Cockroaches (Supella longipalpa)
These cockroaches can reach 1.5 centimetres in size when fully grown. Males and females both have wings but only the males can fly. These cockroaches have two bands of light colour on the base of their wings and these bands are the reason behind why their name is brown-banded. These cockroaches like dry places and can be hence found in bedrooms, especially in and under cabinets, closets and in electrical equipment.
Brown Cockroaches (Periplaneta brunnea)
These insecta can grow up to 3 to 4 centimetres in length. They have wings and are dark red in colour. Brown cockroaches have different cerci from American cockroaches. They have a pair of short and blunt cerci while American cockroaches have much longer and sharper cerci.
Australian Cockroaches (Periplaneta australasiae)
Australian Cockroaches can grow about 3 to 4 centimetres in size, have wings and are dark brown coloured. They are very similar to American Cockroaches but can be distinguished by a yellow margin on their thorax and yellow streaks at their wing base. They typically eat plants but can also eat all other organic substances, even decaying ones.
Smooth Cockroaches (Symploce pallens)
Smooth Cockroaches are rather small with adults around 12 to 15 millimeters in size and have brown-yellow colour. Adults have long wings which often extend to their abdominal tip. Fully grown females have much shorter wings which range only one third of their abdomen.
Cockroach Pest Close Up
How long do cockroaches live?
There are a number of different juvenile stages which can last from 6 to 12 months. Adults can live between 3 and 12 months. Both juveniles and adults live together in communities which consist from up to 75% of juveniles.
Cockroaches spread quickly
Cockroaches reproduce quickly. Five females German cockroach can produce as much as 300 million offspring in as little as 12 months.
Identifying Cockroaches
Cockroaches (like termites) are insects from the order Blattodea. This has over 4,000 species all over the world and. Around 400 species are native to Australia. These native species varies in appearance, habitat and diet.
All species from this order originated from the tropical areas of Africa 300 million years ago. They can range in size from just a few millimetres to a size of Giant Burrowing Cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), which can be found in Northern Queensland and can grow up to 70 mm.
Unfortunately for us, Blattodea order has a number of insects that are regarded as pests.
The insects from the Blattodea have these ff. characteristics in common:
- Oval shaped and dorsoventrally compressed body
- Two pairs of membranous wings and forewings which are sclerotized more than the hind wings
- Thorax which is protected by a big plate called pronotum which extends over the head.
- Very strong mouthparts for chewing
- Compound eyes
- Long antennae
- Leaf-shaped cerci at the tip of the abdomen
Cockroach Infestation
Why are Australian homes vulnerable to a cockroach infestation?
The weather and climate in Australia is generally ideal for cockroaches. Cockroaches are known to live in warm and humid locations such as tropical regions or your kitchen. When talking about Australian cockroach species, German Cockroaches can be found all over Australia except southern parts like Tasmania because they prefer warm and wet areas similar to tropical areas from where they originated. When talking about households, they are typically found in warm and moist areas such as your dishwasher.
Where can you find cockroaches?
First thing's first, you need to undertake a detailed and thorough site survey in order to look for evidence of activity such as live or dead cockroaches, nymphal skins, eggs, faeces. Sometimes, when there is many of them, you can even smell them.
A site survey must be done in a systematic way. You should not use aerosols or bug sprays as a flushing agent because it will only disperse cockroaches and make your pest control efforts much harder.
Try looking around warm and moist locations and food sources such as dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves and similar appliances. Inspect dirty and hard-to-reach areas as they often contribute to cockroach infestation problems. Use your notebook to write down all the details.
Should I book a cockroach pest control service?
Which of the following statements would you say are true?
- Cockroaches are almost impossible to eradicate.
- We used to get rid of cockroaches but now all the good poisons are banned and we can use only the weak ones.
- Pest controllers would get rid of them if they wanted to but they always leave a few behind so they could be called again and again.
We really hope that you did not agree with any of the points above. In reality, cockroaches are not very hard to control but you need to have both the expertise and the right tools to get the job done right. That's why we recommend that you seek help from professional pest control specialists.
Cockroach Pest Control Guide
Cockroach control must be done in a systematic and diligent way and by a professional with hands-on experience in the field. Here is a list of tools that are needed when doing a thorough cockroach pest control:
- Strong and reliable torch
- Notebook or paper for keeping track of data
- PPE
- Gloves, disposable ones which will prevent soiling your hands
- Overalls for protecting your clothes
- Compressed air sprayer
- Electric powder blower for voids
- Powder duster
- Gel gun
- Mirror which will help you see around corners
- Clean rags
- Screwdrivers, spanners and similar tools for access gaining
Cockroach Control Methods
Liquid residual insecticides
As a first treatment, liquid residual insecticides combined with dust will give much better first results. Use a crevice nozzle to apply the spray with low pressure into all harbourages. Do not spray carpet edges as this is not very effective and will stain the surfaces. Be sure to apply all insecticides as written on their labels. Do not use dust insecticides in areas which will become wet. Use them only in roof voids and sub floors where there is no danger of contamination for stored materials.
Cockroach gels
Cockroach gels are a somewhat new product on the scene. They are cost effective and provide great results when used as written on the instructions. They have to be applied using a gel gun. Most pest management use only gels and avoid other insecticides. While there is nothing wrong with this approach, results will be much slower. Other pest solutions use gels to treat places where liquids and dusts could make problems such as electrical equipment. This is considered the most economical and cost effective approach.
Cockroaches Pest Control Sydney
Why should you hire the Master Pest Control Sydney?
Pest control is what we do best. We are professionally trained, insured and licensed in all areas of residential and commercial fumigation. When you need a honest, friendly and reliable pest exterminator expert, ask for Robert from Masters Pest Control Sydney. We guarantee pest removal with one treatment and warranty on all pest removal. Unique industry child and pet safe pest control ants, cockroach infestation, rats, spider and termite solutions. Servicing Sydney wide and all surrounding suburbs. We are a proud family owned business providing our pest elimination service across Sydney.
With over 40 years of experience, we can handle all kinds of pests including cockroaches, rats, termites and other common pests in Australia.