Cockroaches

Cockroach Pest Control

Many people find the mere sight of a cockroach abhorrent but their presence carries risks far beyond any psychological response.

Cockroaches can carry many diseases, including typhoid, dysentery, tuberculosis and gastroenteritis. In particular they are well known for spreading various types of food poisoning. Allergic and asthmatic reactions are also reported and when cockroach populations are large they have even been known to bite people.

Cockroach Control Perth

There are pesticides available through retail stores and within certain limits; some of these may be effective on cockroaches. Surface sprays and bait stations can help reduce populations but only if careful hygiene practices are maintained. Some things you can do to help prevent cockroaches is:

• thoroughly clean-up food scraps and food preparation areas
• reduce water availability
• storing food in airtight sealed containers where possible
• seal cracks and crevices that might provide harbourage areas
• regularly dispose garbage

Cockroach Treatments

Termico Pest Management offer a complete service in the eradication of cockroaches from your home, these include:

• Inspection - Fully inspect your home to find all cockroaches harbourages and report findings to you
• Bait - Gel bait’s are applied to all identified harbourage areas
• Aerosol – This treatment involves flushing crevices and cracks
• Dusting - Applying dust to voids and drains in and around the home
• Wet Surface Spray - A wet spray is applied to exterior walls and areas of pest harbourage
• Pest-free Advice – Once the eradication treatment is complete we will advise you on how to help reduce future problems.

Cockroach Identification

There are several species known to inhabit our buildings but three are more frequently encountered. Despite their names, they all probably originated in Africa.

German cockroach

• 12 – 15 mm length.
• Light brown – brown.
• 2 dark stripes on the pronotum. 
• Adults are winged but can only flutter.
• This is the most common species found in buildings. 
• Most infestations are associated with commercial and domestic kitchens and food handling areas.

American Cockroach

• 35 – 45 mm length.
• Reddish brown.
• Yellow border around the pronotum.
• Wings completely cover the abdomen and it will fly short distances in warm weather.
• Enters buildings more often during cold weather. 
• Can be widespread within buildings but frequently inhabits sewers, drains and grease traps.

Oriental cockroach 

• 20 – 25 mm length.
• Dark brown – black.
• Female has reduced wings.
• Male wings cover most of the abdomen.
• Does not fly.
• Can infest indoors or outdoors.
• Prefers cooler conditions than other species. Inhabits cellars, subfloors and drains.

Cockroach Facts

Cockroaches belong to the order Blattodea. They are a very successful group of insects that have changed very little in millions of years.  

Naturally they live in decaying vegetation, under bark and in the burrows of other animals but some species have become very adept at exploiting the dwellings of people.  Our kitchens, drains and sewers provide the perfect conditions of food, warmth, humidity, shelter and the absence of predators.

They will eat almost anything: animal or vegetable, food scraps, pet food, fabrics, paper and cardboard, hair and leather, animal carcasses and animal waste. Populations can explode to thousands of individuals within the confines of a single building.

Cockroaches are Nocturnal (active at night or in darkness), Gregarious (congregate and rest together) and Thigmotactic (seek the security of contacting surfaces such as cracks and crevices when at rest.) These habits can disguise the level of infestation and a thorough inspection is often required to locate and treat them.

Sighting of cockroaches during daylight or in well lit areas indicates an overpopulation and further investigation of their usual resting places is recommended.