COCKROACH CONTROL SYDNEY

About Cockroaches

Cockroaches are a primitive and successful group of insects whose origins extend back at least 300 million years. There are around 3500 species of cockroach worldwide, however only about 10 of them have seriously exploited the dwellings of humans. Some species have become successful scavengers that live with people. A number of species may be encountered around the Sydney region such as:

• German cockroaches
• American cockroaches
• Australian cockroaches
• Oriental cockroaches
• Smoky brown cockroaches

German Cockroaches

The German cockroach is probably the most widespread cockroach encountered in buildings and is considered a huge pest. It is small in size at around 12-15mm, is light amber brown in colour with two dark stripes.

The German cockroach is a prolific breeder and only takes about 40 days to develop to adulthood, making them very difficult to control.

This cockroach seeks warmth, moisture and food. The vast majority of infestations are associated with kitchens or other food handling areas in both domestic and commercial environments and they can be found under sinks, in cupboards and drawers or around appliances such as refrigerators or water heaters.

German cockroaches will eat any organic material that they find. Their small size enables them to establish themselves in small cracks and crevices allowing them to build up huge populations incredibly quickly.

American Cockroaches

The largest species of cockroaches and are also the most common pests in residential and commercial properties. They are red to dark brown and measure from 35 to 40 mm. The lifespan of an adult can be upto 12 months.

The American cockroach prefers warm moist and dark conditions it tends to live indoors, though in warmer parts of the world it lives outdoors. American cockroaches have wings and be seen flying in warmer weather.

Due to its large size it tends not to infest the inhabited parts of a building but nevertheless can be very widespread - often found in wall or roof voids and also in and around sewers or drains, moist sellers or rubbish tips of buildings such as domestic homes, hospitals, food stores, bakeries or food storage warehouses

The american cockroach prefers to eat decaying organic matter though will eat most human or animal food, as well as book bings, paper products or even soiled clothing. American cockroaches as the most common cockroach found around the Sydney area and are often transported from place to place by the egg cases being glued to bagging, food packages, pallets and such.

Signs of a Cockroach Infestation

Identifying and acting on a cockroach infestation as soon as possible is vital. Below are some of the signs of a cockroach infestation in your property. If you suspect you have a cockroach infestation, do not hesitate to contact Pestology right away.

• Sight - Sighting cockroaches actively during the daytime indicates overcrowding and cockroaches are migrating in search of food. Similarly, you may see cockroaches scatter when turning a light on at night
• Smell - produce an odour as they die due to fatty acids being released as they decay. In addition, cockroach droppings also produce pheromones to attract other cockroaches to the area leading to an intense musky / oily smell which penetrates the whole environment.
• Droppings - Cockroach faeces can be found in drawers or on counter tops and resemble coffee grounds or black pepper.
• Shed skins - As cockroaches mature from nymphs to adults, they shed their skins multiple times. These shed skin cases can be found around the premises often close to where populations are sheltering.
• Egg cases - Cockroaches lay egg purses called oothecae, which are full of eggs. They vary in appearance from species to species though are generally capsule shaped and brownish in colour. Some species carry the eggs with them until they hatch, and others lay them around the property in a safe place. If you discover these egg casings unhatched, it is important to make sure they do not hatch.
• Smear marks - If there is water in the area, some brown smear marks may be present on surfaces which cockroaches may crawl over, due to faeces being smeared along as they move.

Cockroach Prevention Tips

Now you know a bit more about cockroaches, you can take the following simple actions to reduce the risk of a cockroach problem in your home:

• Keep it clean - A good standard of hygene is the key way to prevent a cockroach problem by reducing food, water and shelter. Keep kitchen counters wiped clean with disinfectant & dont forget to clean appliances taking care of grease traps.
• Dont leave food out - Ensure food is stored away securely in sealed containers where possible. Wipe up all crumbs and spills, even taking care of cabinets, cupboard and pantries.
• Empty the bins - Make sure the trash is taken out at night. Ensure the bins are clean and stored away from the property.
• Pet food dishes - Keep pet food dishes clean and avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
• Vacuum - Frequently vacuum the house, taking care of corners and crevices to get rid of faeces, skins and egg sacs to discourage further cockroaches entering.
• Remove cardboard and paper - Remove cardboard and paper which can be used as a food or shelter source.
• Seal the gaps - Ensure that the small cracks and crevices cockroaches gather in are sealed. Make sure that windows and doors are also secure and sealed.