Scientific Pest Management - Commercial Services

Cockroaches

The most unwelcome guests !!

Cockroaches are a common and dangerous pest. They breed prolifically in the unseen regions of our homes and businesses. Cockroaches can survive for prolonged periods without food and water enabling them to be transported with goods from one region to another and from country to country via ships and planes. They are the ultimate free loaders.

Cockroaches are nocturnal. Apart from seeing them at night, further evidence of a substantial infestation may include droppings, cast-off skins and dead cockroaches - in dark corners, cupboards, pantries and under furniture and white goods.

Cockroaches share our food, water, shelter, and warmth. They will consume any human food or drink, pet food, dead animals and plant matter including animal and paper products.

Cockroaches contaminate food and carry diseases such as salmonella and diptheria and causing symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

The small German Cockroach * (Blattella germanica) is the most widespread pest cockroach in Australia. It is amber in colour, about 12-15mm long with two dark longitudinal stripes on the upper visible part of the thorax. It breeds rapidly, and favours warm, moist locations where food is present, and so is often found under refrigerators, stoves and hot water systems. Although both male and female are winged and the wings extend over the tip of the abdomen, neither sex flies. The female produces egg capsules. The Smokybrown Cockroach * (Periplaneta fuliginosa) is also often encountered in the coastal areas of Australia. They are nocturnal and prefer foods of vegetable origin. The species typically breed in gardens where organic materials are used, and enters indoors from these sites. It is large, about 30mm in length, with a uniform dark brown to almost black body. Both sexes are fully winged and capable of flight. The female of this species also produces large egg capsules.

The Australian Cockroach * (Periplaneta australasiae) is mostly encountered outside, but does enter indoors as well. It is a large, nocturnal species that favours tropical and subtropical climates. Growing up to 45mm long, it has a dark reddish / brown body and clearly defined yellow markings on the upper thorax. It is often found in greenhouses and under organic matter in gardens. When found in houses, it is usually in the sub-floor and wall voids. The Brownbanded Cockroach * (Supella longipalpa) is another coastal dweller and is usually found indoors in offices, storerooms, most commonly found behind and inside furniture. A small cockroach about 12 – 15mm long, it is pale brown in colour with very pale bands across the thorax and abdomen. The female has a broader abdomen than the male and its wings do not extend to the end of the abdomen as they do in the male.

The Oriental Cockroach * (Blatta orientalis) is dark brown to black in colour. The species prefers relatively cool conditions and is most commonly found in southern areas of Australia. It feeds on a variety of decaying organic matter, frequently feeding in garbage disposal areas. The adult female produces egg cases that are usually found glued to surfaces. Outdoors, oriental cockroaches are found under leaf litter and bark. They can also be located in damp subfloors and around drainage systems. The American Cockroach * (Periplaneta americana) is similar to the Australian, except that it is slightly lighter in colour, with less distinctive markings. It is large, reaching a length of 35-40mm and is usually found in moist coastal areas. This species can be abundant in the sewer systems of towns and cities, as well as food preparation / eating facilities. The male is distinct from the female - its wings extend beyond the tip of the abdomen. The female produces large egg capsules.

* Photographs courtesy of Phillip Hadlington - long recognised as one of Australia's foremost pest control experts.

An SPM treatment, in almost all cases, is more cost effective than the annual cost of other commercial pest controllers.

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	The small German Cockroach * (Blattella germanica) is the most widespread pest cockroach in Australia. It is amber in colour, about 12-15mm long with two dark longitudinal stripes on the upper visible part of the thorax. It breeds rapidly, and favours warm, moist locations where food is present, and so is often found under refrigerators, stoves and hot water systems. Although both male and female are winged and the wings extend over the tip of the abdomen, neither sex flies. The female produces egg capsules.		The Smokybrown Cockroach * (Periplaneta fuliginosa) is also often encountered in the coastal areas of Australia. They are nocturnal and prefer foods of vegetable origin. The species typically breed in gardens where organic materials are used, and enters indoors from these sites. It is large, about 30mm in length, with a uniform dark brown to almost black body. Both sexes are fully winged and capable of flight. The female of this species also produces large egg capsules.
	The Australian Cockroach * (Periplaneta australasiae) is mostly encountered outside, but does enter indoors as well. It is a large, nocturnal species that favours tropical and subtropical climates. Growing up to 45mm long, it has a dark reddish / brown body and clearly defined yellow markings on the upper thorax. It is often found in greenhouses and under organic matter in gardens. When found in houses, it is usually in the sub-floor and wall voids.		The Brownbanded Cockroach * (Supella longipalpa) is another coastal dweller and is usually found indoors in offices, storerooms, most commonly found behind and inside furniture. A small cockroach about 12 – 15mm long, it is pale brown in colour with very pale bands across the thorax and abdomen. The female has a broader abdomen than the male and its wings do not extend to the end of the abdomen as they do in the male.
	The Oriental Cockroach * (Blatta orientalis) is dark brown to black in colour. The species prefers relatively cool conditions and is most commonly found in southern areas of Australia. It feeds on a variety of decaying organic matter, frequently feeding in garbage disposal areas. The adult female produces egg cases that are usually found glued to surfaces. Outdoors, oriental cockroaches are found under leaf litter and bark. They can also be located in damp subfloors and around drainage systems.		The American Cockroach * (Periplaneta americana) is similar to the Australian, except that it is slightly lighter in colour, with less distinctive markings. It is large, reaching a length of 35-40mm and is usually found in moist coastal areas. This species can be abundant in the sewer systems of towns and cities, as well as food preparation / eating facilities. The male is distinct from the female - its wings extend beyond the tip of the abdomen. The female produces large egg capsules.

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