Cockroach control in Sydney

Cockroaches are one of the most common reasons Sydney households call a pest professional. They breed quickly in warm, humid weather, hide in tight gaps during the day and come out at night to feed. Seeing one in daylight often means there are plenty more out of sight.

Which cockroach have you got?

• German cockroach. Small (about 12 to 15 mm), light brown with two dark stripes behind the head. They live indoors, especially in kitchens, behind fridges, dishwashers and in cupboard hinges. They breed fast, so a few can become an infestation within weeks.
• American cockroach. Large (up to about 4 cm), reddish brown and able to fly short distances. They like drains, sewers, subfloors, roof voids and garden mulch, and wander inside on warm nights.
• Australian and smoky brown cockroaches. Large outdoor species that come in from gardens, leaf litter and wood piles, particularly in humid weather.

Telling them apart matters because German cockroaches need a targeted indoor program, while the larger species are usually tackled around the outside of the home and in roof and subfloor spaces.

Signs of a cockroach problem

• Small black droppings like ground pepper in drawers, along skirting boards or behind appliances.
• Egg cases (small brown capsules) tucked into corners and cupboard hinges.
• A musty, oily smell in kitchens or pantries with a heavy infestation.
• Cockroaches scattering when you turn the light on at night.

Why it's worth acting

Cockroaches walk through drains and rubbish, then over benches and food. Asthma Australia lists cockroaches among the pests whose droppings and body parts can trigger allergies and asthma flare-ups. For food businesses, the Food Standards Code requires premises to be kept free of pests, so an infestation can also be a compliance problem.

What cockroach treatment usually involves

1. Inspection to find where they're hiding and which species you have.
2. Targeted gel baits and dusts placed in cracks, hinges, behind appliances and in wall voids, where cockroaches live.
3. Insect growth regulators in some cases, which stop young cockroaches maturing and breeding.
4. Exterior and roof/subfloor treatment for larger outdoor species.
5. A follow-up visit for German cockroaches, because eggs inside their cases can survive the first treatment.

When cockroaches are worst in Sydney

Activity climbs from spring and peaks through the hot, humid summer months, when cockroaches breed faster and move around more. Many people book a general pest treatment in late spring to get ahead of it.

What you can do today

• Wipe benches and sweep floors at night, and don't leave dishes or pet food out overnight.
• Store pantry food in sealed containers and take the rubbish out regularly.
• Fix dripping taps and leaks under sinks. Cockroaches need water more than food.
• Seal gaps around pipes, skirting boards and cupboards.
• Avoid spraying surface insecticide over a professional's gel bait, as it can stop the bait working.

Frequently asked questions