Cockroach Pest Control
Cockroaches are one of the most feared and ancient bugs in the world! Virtually indestructible, we have approximately 550 cockroach species in Australia; only 5 of which are common household pests. Cold-blooded, cockroaches are active in summer and thrive in warm, humid environments such as kitchens, roof voids and bathrooms. They’re unappealing creatures who are attracted to poor hygiene and can spread germs and bacteria.
This pest is covered in our home protection plans.
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Due to how difficult they are to control; long-term pest treatment plans are the most efficient way to deal with cockroaches. Regular pest inspections and treatments are essential to give them the flick – for good!
Some species may require multiple treatments (German Cockroaches) in order to break the breeding cycle of the infestation.
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Between your pest control treatments, keep your house thoroughly clean. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink, as cockroaches are attracted to both scraps and water. Take your garbage out regularly and make sure it is stored in a sealed container outside. Also ensure any unused cardboard boxes are quickly discarded, as these are a great way for cockroaches to travel!
General household maintenance is also key to keeping your house roach-free. After the Flick team have sprayed, have any leaking taps or pipes repaired. Eliminate access points with tight-fitted fly screens on doors and windows, or draft excluders for the bottom of the doors.
Common Cockroach Questions
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01How long can cockroaches survive without food?
Cockroaches are cold-blooded insects which can survive for one month without food. However, they can only survive for one week without water, which is why they are often found in bathrooms and kitchens, or are attracted to moist sinks at night.
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02What’s the best way to kill a cockroach?
Cockroaches are notoriously difficult to kill. They can live for one week without a head! Eventually they will die because without their mouth, they can’t drink water and die of thirst. They can also survive for around 40 minutes under water by holding their breath. The best way to get rid of cockroaches is by calling a professional exterminator like Flick.
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03Are German cockroaches the most difficult to get rid of?
Yes, because of this, DIY methods rarely solve a German cockroach infestation and require an expert to analyse the problem and create a treatment plan. In order to ensure that the breeding cycle is broken, multiple treatments may be required.
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04What are the signs of a cockroach infestation?
Cockroaches are nocturnal. If you spot them during the day, it’s a sign of a major problem! Otherwise, watch out for droppings on counters and in drawers. They look like coffee grounds and may also cause stains in corners and an oily, musty odour.
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05Are all breeds of cockroaches considered pests?
No! According to National Geographic, there are over 500 native species, which are an essential part of our native ecosystem. They dig intricate burrows in semi-arid regions. The bush cockroach is also called the Mardi Gras cockroach because of its beautiful bright colours.
Common Cockroaches
German Cockroach
Appearance
The German cockroach is small, pale brown and has two streaks on the body. Have wings but rarely fly. 12 – 16mm in length. Chewing mouthparts.
Lifestyle
German cockroaches are very active and found in all types of urban home and retail environments. They favour warm, humid environments and harbour in cracks and dark crevices. They are omnivorous scavengers and prefer fermented foods. Have been known to feed on glue and soiled clothing. Can cause asthma and spread disease.
Habits
Nocturnal but you may spot them during the day if there is a major infestation. They reproduce extremely quickly because the speed of their lifecycle and large number of young. This means there is a tendency for them to become resistant to chemicals through ‘selection’.
Australian Cockroach
Appearance
The Australian cockroach is 30 -35mm long. Dark reddish brown with yellow streaks, they have wings which completely cover the abdomen.
Lifestyle
Australian cockroaches are omnivorous scavengers that prefer decaying organic vegetable matter. However, they may also feed on starchy materials such as book bindings. Their presence may cause anxiety, with secretions that affect some humans. Food and utensils can also become contaminated by their droppings, cast skins and empty egg cases.
Habits
Nocturnal, the Australian cockroach may also fly or glide in warm weather, in search of a cooler area. They are mostly found outdoors, often under the bark of trees, in woodpiles and in locations with moist and decaying vegetable matter. May invade homes and hide in cupboards and crevices. Favours tropical environments.
American Cockroach
Appearance
The American cockroach is larger, at 35 – 40mm. Reddish brown, they have light markings on the thorax and near the head, plus large wings which cover their abdomen.
Lifestyle
The American cockroach is an omnivorous scavenger that prefers to feed on decaying organic matter. Adults can live for up to 3 months without food, assuming that water is available, or less than 1 month without food or water. They will feed on books and clothing and are attracted to sweet foods. They are attracted to alcohol thanks to the sugar content.
Habits
Nocturnal, the American cockroach will fly sometimes and are good gliders. They will travel a long way from their breeding areas to feed. Their young (nymphs) are greyish brown in colour until maturing. Can be prolific breeders and live up to 2 years. Live in all urban environments and favour warmth and humidity. Often live outdoors in warmer climates and indoors in colder regions.
Oriental Cockroach
Appearance
The Oriental Cockroach is usually a shiny black or dark reddish brown. The male is around 25mm with wings, while the female reaches approx. 32mm and is wingless.
Lifestyle
The oriental cockroach feeds on all kinds of food but prefers decaying organic matter and garbage. They are heavily dependent on water and cannot live for more than 2 weeks without a water source. This is why they tend to gather in large numbers near water sources. Like other types of pest cockroaches, they can traffic germs and bacteria through a house and be unsightly.
Habits
Neither male nor female Oriental cockroach can fly. They primarily live outdoors and are often found in sewers and under debris and leaves. They also live in voids and crevices beneath houses and invade homes during summer. They harbour in damp, cool locations and will crawl around toilets, sinks, pipes and ducts.
Adult Smoky Brown Cockroach
Appearance
The Adult Smoky Brown cockroaches are large and winged, almost 38mm long. They are shiny and a uniformly black and mahogany colour, which camouflages them against leaf and mulch.
Lifestyle
These pests often frighten people who aren’t used to seeing large, flying cockroaches! They are commonly found outdoors in warm cities like Sydney and Brisbane, and are nocturnal, walking in search of food. They can contaminate surfaces by spreading bacteria and also trigger asthma or allergic reactions.
Habits
The Smoky Brown cockroach is a strong flier and may enter the home through an open window or door, or through a crevice like other cockroaches. They are usually found in basements and on the ground floor, and gravitate towards exposed trash, sewers and pools of standing water.