Only six of over 4000 species of Cockroaches are serious pests to homeowners in Australia. They usually reside in dark, humid places and are mostly nocturnal. They will eat just about anything including any human food or drink, pet food, dead animals and plant matter including animal and paper products.
Due to their activities they may carry and transmit diseases to humans. They are capable of contaminating foods and food handling areas with droppings, cast skins, egg sacs, faecal pellets and odours.
Their indiscriminate feeding sources in such areas as sewers, drains and garbage areas bring them in contact with disease organisms including salmonella and other organisms associated with dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis and tuberculosis.
They breed prolifically and a perceived small problem can become a major problem in a very short period of time.
Common harbourages include cracks and crevices, dishwashers, electrical motors and switches, ovens and almost any warm, moist area where food is available.
Infestation occurs when cockroaches are carried into premises on raw materials or packaging or gain entry to the premises through drain covers, ventilation openings and under doors.
The most common species encountered are:
German Cockroach (Blattella Germanica)
This is the most widespread pest cockroach in Australia
Amber in colour and about 12-15mm long with two dark longitudinal stripes on the upper visible part of the thorax
Breeds rapidly and favours warm and moist locations where food is present
Found under refrigerators, stoves and hot water systems
Australian Cockroach (Periplaneta Australasiae)
Mostly found outside but does enter indoors as well
Up to 45mm long, it has a dark reddish / brown body and clearly defined yellow markings on the upper thorax
Oriental Cockroach (Blatta Orientalis)
Dark brown to black in colour
Feeds on a variety of decaying organic matter, frequently feeding in garbage disposal areas
Smokybrown Cockroach (Periplaneta Fuliginosa)
About 30mm in length and dark brown to almost black body
Breed in gardens where organic materials are used, and enter indoors
Brownbanded Cockroach (Supella Longipalpa)
Found indoors in offices, storerooms, most commonly found behind and inside furniture
About 12 – 15mm long and pale brown in colour with very pale bands across the thorax and abdomen
American Cockroach (Periplaneta Americana)
Similar to the Australian Cockroach, except slightly lighter in colour, with less distinctive markings
Abundant in the sewer systems of towns and cities, as well as food preparation / eating facilities
Cockroach Treatment
Successful cockroach control is based on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) starting with a thorough inspection of the entire premises to identify the species and to define the extent and source of the infestation.
What you can do:
Eliminate all food sources
Adopt sound food storage practices-air tight and away from walls.
Throw out old opened food packets.
Empty rubbish bins regularly
Reduce availability of water-remove the causes of dampness by fixing leaking pipes and fridges, ventilate clothes dryers
Reduce availability of shelter-reduce clutter
Maintain a high standard of cleanliness at all times
Clean up after food handling / preparation must be immediate, thorough and regularly carried out.
Dishes and utensils should not be left unwashed overnight.
Clean up pet’s food bowls.
Regular clean up around long term accumulations of stove grease, shelves etc
Regular cleaning/mopping/vacuuming of shelves and cupboards will reduce the build up of food particles.
Seal cracks and crevices around door frames, cupboards, pipes, tiles etc
Ensure garden beds are at least 1m from your house.
Place fine mesh over vents and Pest Stoppa’s in weep holes.
What we will do:
Conduct a thorough inspection of the premises both internally and externally.
A Cockroach Control Program will include:
Treat habitat areas within property using a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide spray and/or gel containing an insect growth regulator which prevents nymphs developing into reproductive adults-breaking the breeding cycle.
Treat habitat areas within property using an insecticide dust
Treat external areas as required
All cupboards
Skirting boards
wall cavities
And any cracks and crevices where possible.
Dusting of roof void and dusting of external weep holes where applicable are also important, as this is where we tend to find they breed.
apply liquid spray to base of internal and external walls
gel cupboards
dust cracks and crevices and dust ceiling
Re Infestation
Without vigilant ongoing non chemical control methods re infestation can occur.
In addition, egg cases can hatch that have not been directly affected by pesticides
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