Cockroaches

American cockroaches are large and black. German cockroaches are smaller and brown. Australian cockroaches are medium sized and have a gold strip on each side of its upper body.

Because cockroaches eat a wide range of food, including rotting garbage, Cockroaches will eat almost anything: left-over human food, paper, wood, leather, cigarette butts, tooth paste, coffee grinds, glue, soap, faeces, fabric, shoes, paint, the glue on the back of wallpaper, human hair, fingernails, etc. it is believed that they spread a number of diseases to humans including salmonella and gastroenteritis. Recent studies have shown that allergens from cockroaches can be responsible for asthma.

Along with the American cockroach, this is the most common pest cockroach in Australian residential and commercial areas. Adults are about 15mm long and first in star nymphs are about 3mm long.

They are smaller than the other important pest species and are able to live and breed in the numerous cracks and crevices present in residential and commercial premises. There small size means they are quire often tolerated, as they are not always recognised as a cockroach. There rapid reproduction rate enables a few individuals to become a pest problem over one season as each female produces an ootheca containing 30-40 eggs. And females may produce between 4-8 oothecae. These eggs can become adult in 6-10 weeks in the warm conditions of houses and commercial buildings. The ootheca is carried just before egg hatch, this helps protect the ootheca and the eggs within.

Like many other pests, German cockroaches are nocturnal and forage for food and water at night, when they are less likely to be seen. In the day time they hide in cracks and crevices and other small areas.

This is the largest of the pest species, growing to 45mm long. It is relatively slow growing reaching maturity in 6-12 months. There are fewer generations per year than with the German cockroach and infestations are slower to build. Because of the large size of both adults and nymphs, people are less tolerant of these cockroaches in their homes. And because of there size, there are less places to hide. They are normally found in wall voids, roof spaces and sub floor areas. It there is poor sanitation they can establish, and breed. Normally they enter homes in search of food and water.

American cockroaches are often called peridomestic cockroaches because they are most associated with the areas around homes. Common areas where they are found include gardens, around garbage, inside drains, sheds and garages. They are common around sewers and commercial grease traps.

The eggs of a female will contain up to 25 Nymphs. After hatching nymphs take 6-12 months to develop into adults. Quite often seen flying into homes from gardens, will also walk in generally at night.

Generally found in outdoor areas. But will enter buildings during extreme hot weather or cold weather.

The Oriental cockroach feeds on all kinds of food, especially decaying organic matter and starchy foods. This species of cockroach can survive outdoors in freezing temperatures for long periods of time.