Cockroaches are a common pest of homes and offices. They can cause serious health problems including Salmonella poisoning, diarrhoea and dysentery. They spread disease by contaminating food and utensils with their droppings, regurgitation and saliva. They can also trigger asthma attacks and other allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.

There are four distinct types of pest control sydney cockroaches in Australia. The cosmopolitan American (Periplaneta americana), the Australian (Blattella australasia), the German (Blattella germanica) and the Oriental (Blattella orientalis). Knowing what each type looks like can help identify them so appropriate pest control methods can be used.

Most cockroaches are omnivorous and will eat any kind of food. They can breed very quickly and a single cockroach can become hundreds in a few weeks. Cockroaches communicate with other cockroaches using chemical trails in their faeces and airborne pheromones for swarming and mating. They also emit a pheromone for self-grooming that causes the secretion of bacteria onto their body. This can transmit germs to other cockroaches.

Dealing with Cockroach Infestations: Professional Pest Control in Sydney

Cockroaches tend to favour warm, humid environments and are most commonly seen in kitchens and bathrooms. They will hide in cracks and crevices, under sinks, behind fridges and dishwashers as well as in cupboards. They can also be found in commercial premises such as restaurants and food processing plants.

A regular cleaning of the kitchen and other food preparation areas will help to reduce cockroach infestations. This includes regularly wiping down surfaces, storing food in sealed containers and keeping rubbish bins closed. It’s also a good idea to turn off appliances not being used (e.g. kettle, toaster) as cockroaches love heat.