There are more than 4,000 species of cockroaches in the world, out of which 500 are found in Australia.
Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures that are capable of spreading disease-causing pathogens, as well as causing asthma and allergic reactions. They contaminate the surfaces and the food they come in contact with.
Identify cockroach infestation in the early stages to prevent from further spreading and causing more ruckus in your home or office. While there are many home remedies for permanent cockroach freedom, hiring the best pest control services in Sydney is the most effective solution!
It is best advised to identify the exact cockroach species to devise a suitable extermination method. Without much ado, let’s find out the three most commonly found cockroaches that may kill your peace of mind:
German Cockroach
German cockroaches are small enough to fit into the tiniest cracks and holes in your kitchen or bathroom.
Identification
German cockroaches are tan or dark brown. Typically, they grow to 1.3-1.6 centimetres in length with two distinctive dark stripes running over the head. They have wings but cannot fly.
Where to Find Them?
These cockroaches like warm and humid areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. Due to their smaller size, they can easily hide in tight and closed spaces. Their common hiding areas include dishwashers, microwaves, ovens, fridges, beneath cooking appliances, cupboards, and pantries.
Breeding Cycle
This species breeds extremely quickly and can create a serious problem in a very short amount of time. They can live for up to six months and the female lays only one egg at a time which can contain up to forty babies. Their breeding rate is fastest in the Summer.
American Cockroach
This species originated in Africa. They are also known as water bugs and mostly live in warm climates like Australia.
Identification
American cockroaches are notable for their size with an average length of 4 cm. They have a pale mask-like pattern on the back with reddish-brown skin. They also have wings but can only fly a short distance.
Where to Find Them?
These cockroaches are remarkably quick and mostly found in damp, humid, and warm areas such as beneath a building, around the foundations, drains, sewers, etc. Depending on the size, they can easily maneuver into fairly small cracks.
Breeding Cycle
This species of cockroach can live up to 1.5 years with approximately 6-8 weeks of the growth cycle. They breed very fast and produce 10 egg capsules per cycle with each hatching around 14-16 eggs.
Oriental Cockroach
On the contrary, oriental cockroaches prefer cool conditions. They are the most common pest throughout Australia which live for about six months. They have wings but cannot fly.
Identification
Oriental cockroaches have glossy dark brown or black colour with a typical length of around 2.5 cm. The male has long and functional wings, while females are small in size and have non-functional wings.
Where to Find Them
These cockroaches thrive in damp and cold areas. Usually, they are found near the rubbish bins, outside in the garden, under sinks, bathrooms, basements and make their way to your home through drains and sewers.
The Breeding Cycle
This species breeds slowly when compared to others. The females lay egg capsules, each containing up to 16 eggs which generally requires two months to hatch.
Conclusion
To get rid of cockroaches, the best option is to hire a professional pest control service to eliminate the cockroach infestation and minimise the health risks associated with it.
Give us a call at 1800 600 760 and we will be glad to help you!