In this blog, we look at the ways in controlling cockroaches and learn about 2 main species of cockroaches found in Australia. They are the Australian cockroach [Periplaneta australasies] and the German cockroach [ Blattella germanica]. So let us look at their life-cycle, feeding habits and ways of eliminating them from your home.

Although they are not the only 2 species of cockroaches found in Australia, they are the most common and therefore the most likely you will encounter them in your home.

Australian cockroach

The adult cockroach is approximately 30-35 mm in length, a reddish brown in colour with a pale yellow stripe on the lateral margins of each forewing and a yellow outline on their heads. Their wing is fully developed allowing them to fly making it easy for them to travel between places.

The female is slightly smaller than the male and produces around 30 eggs at a time with an incubation period of around 40 days. The young have a nymphal development period of around 200 days and the adult lives for up to 240 days.

These australian cockroaches prefer a warm climate and their habitat outdoors include, under tree bark, under the wood and log piles and places with moist, decaying vegetation. Indoors, they can be found almost anywhere that is warm and humid, including subfloors, under refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines.

Self-managing Australian cockroaches

There are also several things that the homeowner can do to help eliminate the Australian cockroach from their property. Firstly, do not leave pet food overnight. So once your pet has fed left-overs, it should be put in the fridge of thrown out. Wash the dishes after every use or each night and do not leave dirty kitchen since this is another source of food for a cockroach.

Another way in controlling cockroaches it to keep rubbish bins close all the time and empty regularly. Then all food should also be kept in airtight containers to prevent cockroaches from feeding on the contents of a cereal box, etc. When you buy something from a shop that comes in a cardboard box, then that box should be removed from the house A.S.A.P. as it could have come from a storage facility that has had an infestation of cockroaches and eggs may have been laid in that box. And before you know it, you already have cockroaches in your home.

This is a very common way cockroaches enter even the cleanest of homes. Outside wood piles and piles of vegetation should be removed as this is a place cockroaches like to live and bread. By sealing any cracks and crevices around your home help prevent cockroaches from finding a place to live as well.

German cockroaches

The adult German cockroach is usually tan to dark brown in colour with dark parallel bands running the length of the body and measure between 5 and 10 mm in length. Females are usually darker and smaller than the male. The female lays one egg at a time that contains between 30 and 40 nymphs with an incubation time of around 17 days. The nymphal development period is around 40 days and the adult has a lifespan of between 125 and 200 days.

They prefer to live indoors and thrive in warm, moist areas of the home where food and water are present. An adult can survive for up to a month with only water but dies in less than two weeks without food and water. German cockroaches are usually more active at night but in case of a large infestation can be seen during the day.

Self-managing German cockroaches

Like the Australian cockroach, the German variety commonly enters a home via cardboard boxes and foodstuff that is brought in to the home after being stored in a warehouse or storage facility. If these facilities have an infestation problem, then these boxes could bring into the home thousands of eggs causing an infestation in the home.

Remove these boxes from the home A.S.A.P to help stop cockroaches from entering the home. The same practices that are outlined above in the self-management section for the Australian cockroach should be adhered to for the control of German cockroaches. By fixing any water leaks, proper food storage and practising good hygiene go a long way to help stop cockroaches from entering your home.

Here at Deluxe Carpet Cleaners and Pest Control, we are experienced in the removal of all cockroaches from your home. We practice only safe and effective methods of pest control throughout your home. Our professional quality chemicals are not harmful to you or your pets and we are fully licenced with Queensland health.

We recommend that you carry out pest service on a regular basis to prevent an infestation in your home. Remember, prevention is better than a cure. So call us today for any cockroach problem that you may have.

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