Your Cockroaches Gone, Guaranteed!
Cockroaches may be able to survive a nuclear blast, but they are no match for Canberra Pest Control.
Of the 4000 different cockroach species found all over the world, 30 are considered pests that inhabit in and around human dwellings. Cockroaches are omnivorous scavengers and will eat literally almost anything, from human and pet food and waste to grease, leather, hair — even glue and soap!
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Most Common Cockroaches in the
Canberra ACT Area
A cockroach infestation in your home is not only repulsive, but potentially dangerous. Cockroaches can trigger asthma or eczema symptoms and also transmit diseases such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus, E. coli and parasitic worms. It might be difficult to tell if you have an infestation, because cockroaches are nocturnal and live in dark, warm, moist areas around the home. Because of this, you are more likely to spot traces of their existence, rather than the pests themselves.
The German cockroach is the most prevalent species worldwide and also the most resilient to pest control measures.
If Canberra Pest Control identifies German cockroaches in your home, then we will take further action beyond the comprehensive treatment. Read here for more information on German cockroach treatment.
Colour
It varies from tan to almost black and can be identified by its two dark stripes running from the base of the head to the tip of the wings. It also emits an unpleasant odour when frightened or excited.
Size
Adults grow from around 1.1 to 1.6 centimetres in length. Although it has wings, it can barely fly, unlike the Oriental and American cockroaches.
Habitat
The German cockroach prefers warm, dark and damp areas such as kitchens and bathrooms in heated homes. It is often found under sinks, in cracks or crevices in the floor or walls, under the microwave and behind the fridge.
Lifecycle
Once fertilised, the female carries up to 50 eggs in an ootheca (egg sac) inside its abdomen. After around a month, the nymphs (cockroach young) hatch and will reach maturity in 6-12 weeks. The lifespan of a German cockroach is around 6 to 12 months.
Despite its name, the Australian cockroach most likely originated in Africa and is not actually native to Australia.
The Australian cockroach lives in tropical climates worldwide such as southern USA, tropical areas in Asia, tropical northern Australia and down along the eastern coast of Australia as far as Victoria.
Colour
Similar to the American species, the Australian cockroach is a glossy reddish-brown with lighter coloured head and legs. It can be differentiated by its light yellow streaks near the wings and light yellow outline of the head.
Size
Adults can reach 2.3 to 3.5 centimetres in length. It has fully formed wings and the Australian cockroach can and will fly.
Habitat
It prefers dark, warm and humid areas such as basements, roof areas and under sinks in the kitchen or bathroom. In warmer climates it may be found outside in compost, bins and under leaf cover.
Lifecycle
Once fertilised, the female carries up to 24 eggs in an ootheca (egg sac) inside its abdomen. Depending on the temperature, the nymphs (cockroach young) will hatch in anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks and take 1 to 2 months to mature. The lifespan of an Australian cockroach can be anywhere from 3 to 12 months.
Also known as “the water bug”, the Oriental cockroach is common worldwide.
The female of this species cannot fly, yet the male can on rare occasions.
Colour
Glossy dark brown to black. Females have short, useless wings and males have longer wings which cover 2 thirds of their abdomen and are brown.
Size
Males grow from 1.8 to 2.9 centimetres in length with a thin body and females grow from 2 to 2.7 centimetres in length with a thicker body than the male.
Habitat
The Oriental cockroach prefers dark, moist areas around the house and is often found in drains, sewers and basements. It often feeds on decaying organic matter, as such it is also likely to be found outside in garbage, mulch and under leaf cover.
Lifecycle
Once fertilised, the female carries up to 18 eggs in an ootheca (egg sac) inside its abdomen. Depending on the temperature, the nymphs (cockroach young) will hatch in anywhere between 7 to 11 weeks and take 6 to 12 months to mature. The lifespan of an Oriental cockroach is around 12 to 18 months.
The American cockroach is one of the largest pest varieties, found worldwide.
Its wings are more developed than the German or Oriental cockroaches and it is more likely to fly in warmer temperatures.
Colour
Glossy reddish-brown with lighter yellowish colour on the head and legs.
Size
Adults can grow from 2.9 to 5.3 centimetres in length. Males have long wings which overlap the body, females have shorter wings about the length of the abdomen and nymphs (cockroach young) have no wings at all.
Habitat
It prefers dark, quiet and humid areas such as basements, roof areas and under sinks in the kitchen or bathroom. In warmer climates it may be found outside under leaf cover or tree bark.
Lifecycle
Once fertilised, the female carries up to 16 eggs in an ootheca (egg sac) inside its abdomen. Depending on the temperature, the nymphs will hatch in anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks and take 6 to 15 months to mature. The lifespan of an American cockroach can be anywhere from 3 months to two years.
Similar to the American species, the smoky brown cockroach has developed wings and can fly, but is more likely to do so in warmer temperatures.
Colour
Glossy dark mahogany brown all over.
Size
Adults can grow from 3 to 3.8 centimetres in length. Males have long wings which overlap the body, females have shorter wings about the length of the abdomen and nymphs (cockroach young) have no wings at all.
Habitat
It prefers dark, quiet and humid areas such as basements, roof areas and under sinks in the kitchen or bathroom. In warmer climates it may be found outside under leaf cover or tree bark.
Lifecycle
Once fertilised, the female carries up to 26 eggs in an ootheca (egg sac) inside its abdomen. Depending on the temperature, the nymphs will hatch in anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks and take 6 to 12 months to mature. The lifespan of a smoky brown cockroach can be anywhere from 6 to 12 months.
The brown-banded cockroach is one of the smallest species found in Australia.
It can fly, but will only do so in warm temperatures.
Colour
Dark brown to black with light brown or tan transverse bands that on the wings of the adult and across the body of the nymphs (cockroach young).
Size
One of the smaller species, the brown-banded cockroach adult grows from around 1 to 1.5 centimetres in length.
Habitat
It prefers dark, quiet and humid areas such as basements, roof areas and under sinks in the kitchen or bathroom. The brown-banded cockroach can survive in less moist habitats than other cockroaches, as such they can also be found spread about the dryer areas of the home such as in living rooms or bedrooms.
Lifecycle
Once fertilised, the female carries up to 18 eggs in an ootheca (egg sac) inside its abdomen. Depending on the temperature, the nymphs will hatch in anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks and take 3 to 9 months to mature. The lifespan of a brown-banded cockroach can be anywhere from 3 to 12 months.
We exterminate ten pests in one treatment when we spray your home for spiders.
At no extra cost to you, we also treat cockroaches, silverfish, earwigs, slaters, millipedes, clothes moths, pantry moths, paper wasps & mud wasps - 100% free
Clothes moths, pantry moths, paper wasp & mud wasp warranty applies only if present at time of treatment.
Canberra Pest Control cockroach treatments What's Involved?
If You Have Cockroaches In Canberra, Here’s What We’ll Do For You...
- A Pre-Work Risk Assessment will be completed over the phone at the time of booking with our office staff. Details include but are not limited to: type of premises, specific requirements, instructions and risk information.
- A further Risk Assessment will be conducted by your technician on site at the time of the treatment. Here we will identify the species and extent of infestation, as well as any risks involved.
- All facets of Integrated Pest Management will be considered, including elimination of food & water sources, gaps and crevices, trapping, sanitation, hygiene and chemical preparations. If infestation warrants the use of sticky boards these are also very effective.
- Due to Environmental considerations we do not spray actual garden beds, so if you have outside-dwelling species such as Australian Cockroaches, they will still be present in your garden. Once they cross the sprayed perimeter of your house or garage however, they will absorb the treatment and die in due course.
- Most Cockroach species are exterminated as part of the Comprehensive Treatment, however if the species is identified as German Cockroaches, a further treatment type is required. This could involve using dusts & gels in cockroach harbourage areas such as around hinges, motors, wall cavities, behind fridges, under sinks & microwaves, etc.
With our Canberra Pest Control comprehensive treatment, we treat all areas you are likely to have a problem, including:
- Roof Void
- Subfloor (if you have one)
- Inside your home
- Full Exterior
- Garage (inside and out)
- Carport
- Garden Shed
- Fences
- Clothesline
- Outdoor furniture
- Pergola's and Decks
- Kids' play equipment
- Mailbox
- Garbage Bins
Yearly maintenance Treatments
We provide a 6 month warranty on our Comprehensive Treatment – as a rule however, you should get up to 12 months out of the treatment.
We provide a 3 month warranty on our Cockroach only Treatment – there are many environmental factors involved. If the problem re occurs an ongoing treatment plan may be suggested.
We will send you a reminder every year to let you know when your treatment is due. By treating your home regularly, you will find the treatment wont give pests a chance to breed up and you will just get used to living without them!
- Pre-treatment checklist Cockroach Pest Control Preparation Steps
- Signs of a cockroach infestation Know where and what to look for...
- How to prevent cockroaches in your home Handy tips and tricks...
Pre-treatment checklist
Pre-treatment checklist Preparation Steps
For our cockroach only treatment you are only required to follow steps 8 to 10
For the spider comprehensive treatment; Prior to the agreed appointment time we ask you to complete the following steps to ensure a smooth, efficient treatment.
- Close all windows, external doors, open curtains & blinds.
- Put away or cover any exposed food like fruit bowls as well as toothbrushes.
- Don’t leave clothes on the clothes line (we spray the line for spiders).
- If you have small children, put away toys or things likely to go in mouths.
- If you have pets; dogs, cats, birds etc, we suggest they be out of house for the same period as yourself. Ideally take them with you, particularly dogs if they are nervous or savage. Remove or up turn their food & water dishes.
- For indoor fish, cover the tank with glad wrap & switch off the filter.
- We do not spray aviaries, chook pens or near fish ponds.
- Unlock anything we will need access to, such as subfloor door, garden sheds, garage, side gates, etc.
- We specifically ask you to have your car out of the garage or driveway before we arrive & leave it in the street to allow full access and to avoid delaying the technician.
- We run to a very tight schedule so we will be there on time (allow 5 minutes for traffic), Please ensure you are 100% ready to go by the appointment time.
- We ask you to be out of the house for at least 1 hour after inside treatment is completed. We will advise you if any longer is required.
- If you regularly clean your windows, don’t clean them for 2 weeks after the treatment, because the treatment will keep working.
- Ideally leave any cobwebs for two weeks and then brush them away.
- When you return, open all the windows to let fresh air in.
Signs of a cockroach infestation
Signs of a cockroach infestation What to Look for
Droppings
Smaller species will leave dark, dust-like droppings that resemble coffee grounds. Larger species’ droppings are bigger and cylindrical, often with ridges on the side.
Shed Skin
Nymphs (cockroach young) will shed their skin many times before they are fully grown. If you have an infestation, you may find whole or parts of these shells around corners and the edges of walls in your house.
Oothecae (egg sacs)
Some female cockroaches carry their oothecae in their abdomen, but some leave them in hidden, dark places such as at the back of your kitchen cupboard, under the bathroom sink or behind the couch. They are a small, leathery looking oval case which may be reddish to blackish brown in colour.
Smear Marks
If you have a cockroach infestation, you may find small brown smear marks around corners and the edges of walls. These marks are regurgitated food, often occurring when water is abundant in moist environments in your house.
Damage
Cockroaches will eat almost anything, including leather, paper, fabric — even toothpaste! If you find small and unusual signs of damage on any organic material in your house, it may be that you have cockroaches.
Odour
If you have cockroaches in your house, you may smell a faint sickly sweet, musty odour that can linger on items they have been in contact with. A strong oily or musty odour indicates a serious infestation.
Live Or Dead Cockroaches
In general, cockroaches are good at staying hidden and you will only see them if you surprise them, like when you sneak into the kitchen for a midnight snack and see one scurrying quickly out of sight. Remember, the cockroaches you are seeing are only a small portion of the rest that are hiding in your home.
ExitHow to prevent cockroaches in your home
How to prevent cockroaches in your home Handy Tips & Tricks
Clean up
By simply cleaning the surfaces in your house regularly and removing any organic matter that could potentially be food, you can discourage further infestation. This includes washing and drying dishes straight away, not leaving food out, wiping the counters, mopping the floors, cleaning the rangehood and cleaning pet food bowls daily. In your cupboard, store food in tightly sealed containers. Take out the rubbish daily and rinse all bottles and cans before recycling them.
Keep it neat
De-clutter your cupboards, drawers and floors; any hiding place that is left quiet and dark will be attractive to cockroaches.
Check your plumbing
Since cockroaches prefer moist environments, a leaking pipe or roof may attract them, so keep your plumbing well maintained.
Seal up your house
Use a sealant like caulk to seal up cracks and crevices around windows, skirting boards, floor boards, electrical outlets and pipes. Eliminate other entry points by replacing torn window and door screens. Varnishing wood surfaces will also help to seal them.
Keep plants away from the perimeter of your house
Cockroaches’ natural habitat is amongst vegetation, therefore many will make their home in your garden and if there are trees, shrubs flowerbeds, or damp piles of grass clippings & leaves surrounding your house, they will have easy access to the inside through cracks or crevices.
Let the pets loose
Pets, cats especially, will enjoy chasing and hunting down pests like cockroaches. They will also do a good job of scaring pests away from the area.
ExitCockroach FAQs
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If cockroaches can survive a nuclear bomb, how does pest control work?
We eliminate cockroaches with specially formulated chemicals, not radiation. The theory that cockroaches can survive a nuclear blast is mainly due to the fact that they can withstand 10 times more radiation than humans. They are also extremely resilient and are able to survive a month without food. At Canberra Pest Control, we use a variety of pest control measures depending on the species and the severity of your cockroach infestation. These measures may include targeted sprays, powders, gels and sticky boards.
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Can cockroaches fly?
Yes, some cockroaches can fly, such as the Australian, American and Smoky-Brown species.
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Do cockroaches carry diseases?
Yes, they can. Cockroaches can contaminate human food directly and through surfaces where food is prepared. They have been known to transmit diseases such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus, E. coli and some types of parasitic worms. Presence of cockroaches in the home can also trigger asthma and eczema symptoms.
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Do cockroaches bite humans?
A cockroach will eat anything that is edible, so yes, it is possible. It is however, very rare unless there is an extreme infestation and food sources are scarce.
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Where do you treat for pests?
This will depend on which pest is being treated. We focus our treatments on the places that pests live and breed even where you can’t see them. Depending on the type of pest, these areas can include roof voids, sub floors, full external treatments in & around the home, garages, sheds, pergolas, any structural areas, inside your home (skirtings, cornices, window & door frames). These internal treatments are kept well away from contact with you.
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How often should pest control be done?
We recommend that you have our Spider & Comprehensive Treatment (which includes cockroaches, silverfish, clothes moths, earwigs and slaters) every 12 months. This will ensure you don’t give pests a chance to breed up. If you notice a pest infestation at your home, contact us ASAP before it becomes a big problem.
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How do I tell which kind of cockroach is in my house?
Refer to our cockroach identification guide to find out which species of cockroach you have a problem with. The most commonly found species in Canberra are the German, Oriental and Australian cockroaches.
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How can I tell if I have a cockroach infestation?
In general, the cockroaches you are seeing are only a small portion of the rest that are hiding in your home. Cockroaches are nocturnal and attracted to dark, moist, warm environments, so you should regularly check the kitchen and bathroom. In addition, if you have a damp basement, attic or shed, you should check them regularly for signs of an infestation.
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In addition to pest control, what else can I do to deter cockroaches around the home?
There are many things you can do yourself to discourage a cockroach infestation around your home. These include simple habits like cleaning surfaces and removing rubbish. For more information, read how to prevent a cockroach infestation.
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Is pest control safe for children and pregnant women?
The simple answer is yes. When we use pesticides or baits, we select formulations with the lowest toxicity available & apply these products where pests breed and live, not where you can come into contact with them.
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Is pest control safe for my pets?
Yes, however we have some basic precautions you must take, including having them away at the treatment time and ensuring all food and water bowls are upturned or removed from treatment areas prior to treatment.
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What happens if I have asthma or allergies?
Often you may simply need to stay out of the house for a little longer than usually needed. There are however, many different products and techniques we can use to control pests. If you or any member of your family suffers from asthma or is sensitive to chemicals, please let us know, or seek medical advice.
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How long does cockroach pest control take?
Once all the necessary preparations have been made, the time the treatment takes will depend on factors such as the size of your home and difficulty as well the severity of an infestation. Simply ask one of our friendly staff at the time of booking and they will give you a close estimation.
The Most Common Pests We Treat
5 pest special offer!
When treating for cockroaches, we also exterminate spiders, silverfish, clothes moths, earwigs & slaters at no extra cost.
