Cockroaches

There are only 6 families of cockroaches found worldwide, consisting of 4000 species. Australia has representatives of 5 of these families but with only 428 species present. Half of a the cockroaches in Australia can be found in the Blattidae family which includes both the native and introduced species.

The 4 most common cockroach species which infest Australian homes and businesses are:

American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana)
Australian Cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae)
Smoky-brown Cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa)
German Cockroach (Blatella germanica).

The first 3 species are very much alike. They are common in size and length (adults 25mm-40mm) and habitat (warm moist environments, common in food preparation areas). The treatment procedures to eradicate and control these cockroaches is, therefore, very similar.

German Cockroaches

The German Cockroach is very different to all other cockroaches in that they are much smaller in size and length (adults 10mm-15mm). Many people mistake them for 'baby cockroaches' due to their smaller size. These cockroaches are prolific breeders in and around kitchens, laundries and bathrooms. They are so small, particularly in the nymphal stage, that they get into any electronic devices which give off heat (dishwasher motors, microwave oven motors, fridge motors, phone chargers, computers, toasters, downlights, etc.).

The treatment to eradicate the larger cockroach species, differs greatly from the treatment for german cockroaches. Only pest technicians with years of cockroach experience, have the expertise in these very different procedures. It is, therefore, in your best interest to deal with such a company, rather than a 'fly by night' company or one that's been around for 5 minutes. We will be more than happy to discuss with clients and prospective clients different cockroach treatments such as baiting, gelling, trapping, crack and crevice treatment, pyrethrum gassing (the list goes on). We pride ourseles on non toxic control measures. If you have a problem with a dozen large cockroaches or 50 thousand german cockroaches, we will succesfully carry out a treatment which eradicates the cockroaches but does not harm the health or wellbeing of any house occupants or pets.