German Cockroaches:
Latin Name: Blattella germanica
What Do They Look Like?
Adults are easily recognized by their light brown or tan coloration with two black horizontal stripes located on the pronotum immediately behind the head, the young, or nymphs, are darker, almost black in colour, also with the black stripes behind the head. Adults can grow to a length of 13 – 16 mm, while adult German Cockroaches have wings, they rarely fly, preferring to run.
German cockroaches are well-known indoor cockroaches with a distribution that is world-wide. Smaller than other types of cockroaches, the pests can hide in small spaces and hitch rides in bags, boxes, and many other infested items that are brought inside the home. In multi-unit apartment buildings, they can easily move between units, using the shared plumbing and pipes as a highway.
One of the most common sources of problems with German cockroaches are used items like furniture and luggage. Pre-owned electronics are also hiding places for the pests, which gravitate towards these warm devices. Additionally, areas where food debris is left around will fulfil the needs that the cockroaches have for food, water, and protection, such as near: garbage containers, kitchen cabinets and under sinks.
German cockroaches spread filth in homes, contaminating food and utensils. Pathogens range from bacteria that cause food poisoning and dysentery to allergens that result in rashes and asthma attacks. Recent studies have also indicated that in larger metropolitan areas, the development of asthma in children can be directly linked to the presence of the pest.
These cockroaches lay 40 eggs at a time, which mature in about two months. Because they reproduce rapidly, infestations quickly become severe. German cockroaches are hardy and fast and have few natural predators inside human habitats. For these reasons, their populations tend to grow rapidly and can be hard to get rid of, often requiring professional treatment.
German cockroach droppings may appear as small, dark, “pepper-like” material left on countertops or in drawers. Fecal staining may appear as dark spots or smears: along the tops of doors, around small cracks and openings into walls and in the corners of a room.
Since German cockroach females carries their egg case until 1 to 2 days before depositing it, empty egg cases may be found in areas that the females frequent.
German cockroaches are also known to secrete a number of odorous compounds. When populations are present in large numbers, it may be possible to detect a mild, or what some have reported as a “musty” odor.
German cockroaches are scavengers, capable of feeding on most any food source available. The pests will eat: bindings of books, crumbs missed during cleaning or on dirty dishes, soap and toothpaste. As adults, German cockroaches can survive anywhere from 100 to 200 days.
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Australian Cockroach
The Australian cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae) is a common species of tropical cockroach, with a length of 23–35 millimetres. It is brown overall, with the tegmina having a conspicuous lateral pale stripe or margin, and the pronotum (head shield) with a sharply contrasting pale or yellow margin. It is very similar in appearance to the American cockroach and may be easily mistaken for it. It is however, slightly smaller than the American cockroach, has a yellow margin on the thorax and yellow streaks at its sides near the wing base.
Zeropest Australia can help you Achieve fast, efficient cockroach control Effective insecticide treatments include surface sprays and insecticidal gel baits, surface sprays, can be applied in and around cockroach harbourages, and along routes where cockroaches typically travel.
Insecticidal gel baits placed in infested areas, provide control over an extended period of time, use less product and can be used in sensitive environments. For outdoor applications such as along external walls, door and window frames, and around drains, Zeropest Australia use a contact residual spray to provide fast knockdown and long-term control. For indoor infestations, Zeropest Australia use a bait Gel as it is safe, discrete, highly effective, easy to apply, can eliminate colonies, and has no odour.