There are 428 species of cockroach in Australia and a number of introduced species have become pests. The three most significant pest cockroaches are the German cockroach and the American cockroach. Cockroaches live and feed in unhygienic places such as sewers and drains, or feed on garbage that may be contaminated. These insects are cold-blooded and thrive in warm, humid conditions. This is why buildings in the northern parts of Australia are particularly prone to infestations. However, cockroaches will make their home wherever they find food, moisture and shelter.
Australian Cockroach
The Australian cockroach looks similar to the American cockroach. The insect can travel quickly, often darting out of sight when someone enters a room and can fit into small cracks and under doors despite its fairly large size. It is known to be very mobile; its wings allow it to be quite a capable flier, It prefers warmer climates and is not cold-tolerant, but it may be able to survive indoors in colder climates. It does well in moist conditions but also can tolerate dry conditions as long as water is available. It often lives around the perimeter of buildings. It appears to prefer eating plants more than its relatives do but can feed on a wide array of organic (including decaying) matter. Like most cockroaches, it is a scavenger.
American Cockroach
The American cockroach is the largest of the pest species. It is red-brown, with fully developed
wings that cover the abdomen, and it will fly in warm conditions. The American Cockroach has the potential for producing offspring. Because of the large size of both adults and nymphs, people are less tolerant of this species, and the cockroaches also find fewer places inside to hide in the daytime. When established in homes they are normally found in wall voids or behind cupboards, in underfloor areas or in roof spaces. Normally they enter living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms when they are foraging for food and water. They are most associated with the areas
around homes or buildings. Common areas where they are found include gardens, around garbage, inside drains and in outhouses such as sheds or garages. American cockroaches can co-exist with German Cockroaches with no negative effects on either cockroach population.
German Cockroach
The German cockroach is the most common cockroach found in houses, apartments and commercial
buildings in Australia. Their small size means typically about 1.1 to 1.6 cm long that human occupants, many of whom do not recognise early nymphal stages as cockroaches, initially tolerate them. Their rapid reproduction rate enables a few individuals to become a pest problem over one season.
From an original female German cockroach, there could be potentially more than 100,000 cockroaches in a home by the end of one year! German cockroaches are nocturnal and forage for food and water at night when they are less likely to be seen. In the daytime, they hide in cracks and crevices in cupboards and kitchen appliances and so are easily overlooked. You can find them then around refrigerators, dishwashers, stoves, washers and dryers, and water heaters. They do not fly. The German cockroach is the most difficult pest cockroach species to control.
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