COCKROACH PEST CONTROL

Cockroaches have six legs. They can live a week without their head as they can breathe through other parts of their body. If you do see them during the day, it's usually because of overcrowding has forced them out into the open, so chances are you've got quite a large infestation. Cockroaches are known to carry diseases that affect humans, such as Salmonella.They are scavengers and will eat almost anything, including their dead and their own poo!. You might be concerned about your children or pets coming into contact with them.

Or they simply freak you (or your partner) out whenever you see them.

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WHAT ARE COCKROACHES?

One of the most successful animal groups in the world, cockroaches have existed in more or less the same form since they first appeared on the earth around 300 million years ago. Because of their ability to thrive in some of the most unforgiving environments, cockroach pest control services need to be implemented correctly in order to be effective.

One of the things that make it hard to get rid of cockroaches is the fact that they love the conditions that humans create. They are scavenging experts who have exploited communities throughout the world. The association between cockroaches and human activity goes back many thousands of years. It goes so far back that some scientists believe that when early humans left Africa to colonise the world, these insects were more than likely not that far behind them.

There are between 3500-4000 known species of cockroach worldwide and 450 species in Australia, of which approximately ten of those species are considered a nuisance. The most commonly found species we handle with our cockroach pest control services are:

Despite there being no unequivocal proof of the transmission of pathogenic diseases to humans, cockroaches are viewed as having a role in disease transmission, primarily because of their preferred living environments and their inclination to eat almost anything and everything.

Indeed, they can contaminate food via preparation areas and utensils, often by leaving behind their faeces, empty egg sacs, moulted skin, vomit marks and dead. On top of this, they can even leave traces of the materials and organisms they’ve previously been crawling over (grease traps, drains, sewers!).

Like most insects, cockroaches can carry diseases that affect humans, such as Salmonella and those which cause gastroenteritis, tuberculosis, dysentery, hepatitis and typhoid fever. There also appears to be a strong correlation between cockroach allergens and asthma, and they also contribute to rhinitis and dermatitis.

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cockroaches

Types OF Cockroaches

german cockroaches

GERMAN COCKROACHES (Blatella germanica)

The most troublesome species that a cockroach exterminator must deal with!

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american cockroaches

AMERICAN COCKROACHES (Periplaneta americana)

The largest species of common cockroach and considered quite the domestic pest!

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australian cockroaches

AUSTRALIAN COCKROACHES (Periplaneta australasiae)

A common species of tropical cockroach & one of several that live mostly outdoors.

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Oriental cockroaches

ORIENTAL COCKROACHES (Blatta orientalis)

This book loving cockroach is the most common species in Great Britain!

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smoky brown cockroaches

SMOKY BROWN COCKROACHES (Periplaneta fuliginosa)

These cockroaches love the limelight on a dark night and can fly short distances.

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brown banded cockroaches

BROWN-BANDED COCKROACHES (Supella longipalpa)

This cockroach will literally feast on anything: books, wallpaper paste, nylon stockings...

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CHARACTERISTICS

Cockroaches can range in length size: from 70mm in the case of the Giant Burrowing Cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros) found in northern Queensland, to 15mm in the case of the German species. However, no matter their size, all cockroaches follow a similar body structure:
cockroaches
  • Oval-shaped body which is dorsoventrally flattened
  • Long antennae
  • Six-legged
  • Primitive, chewing mouth parts
  • Compound eyes
  • Winged
  • Prominent cerci (rear-mounted antennae)

Cockroaches are typically found wherever there is food and shelter, and in warm, humid conditions like in the tropics and commercial kitchens, bars and cafes. A commercial kitchen may house hundreds or even thousands of these scavengers at varying stages in their life cycle at any given time, with dishwashers (warm, humid and home to food scraps from dirty dishes) offering up particularly desirable living conditions.

Not only are they expert scavengers who will eat virtually anything, including other dead insects and their faeces, cockroaches are also prolific breeders. The German breed are the most skilled scavengers and reproductively robust of all the species we deal with as a reliable cockroach exterminator. Indeed, the German species mature to adulthood from hatchling in as little as 40 days, and produce 20-40 eggs per egg casing, with 5-8 egg casings per female. That’s approximately 1.5 million offspring borne and descended from a single female in as little as 12 months!

Over the years of providing reliable cockroach pest control assistance, our knowledge of different insects, arachnids and other nasty bugs has grown. Cockroaches are mostly nocturnal pests, becoming active soon after sunset. Once daylight has dwindled, they generally emerge from the safety of small nooks and crevices in search of food. Daytime sightings of them in areas not commonly associated with food, are usually indicative of a much larger problem: a severe infestation! Cockroaches out during the daylight hours, or found in bedrooms, are likely only there because they have been forced out due to overpopulation and overcrowding. If this is a common occurrence in your home or apartment, make sure you get in touch with a reliable and well-respected cockroach exterminator like us as soon as possible!

COCKROACH PEST CONTROL PROCESS

At Defender Pest Control Specialists, our cockroach pest control treatments consist of a thorough inspection of the premises to determine the type of species and the extent of the infestation.

Our Technician will use a range of treatment methods to get rid of the cockroaches infesting your property, using all or a combination of the following methods:

  • a cockroach gel (a must if you have an infestation of the German species)
  • an insecticide dust in your roof void, subfloor, cracks and crevices such as electrical fittings
  • A non-repellent insecticide spray

Large infestations by German cockroaches will require a follow up cockroach pest control treatment in order to break the breeding cycle. These are typically conducted two weeks after the initial treatment to ensure we get rid of the cockroaches in your home, while preventing further offspring.

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Pest Control Mitcham

Prevention Tips!

It goes without saying that a thoroughly cleaned premise will reduce your likelihood of falling prey to a nasty insect infestation. If your infestation gets out of hand, your only solution might be to seek help from a cockroach exterminator like us. If you want to get rid of cockroaches in your home, check out the following tips:
cockroach pest control
  • Make sure you wipe and disinfect all surfaces, particularly in your kitchen and food preparation area. Leaving crumbs out overnight is a haven for all types of insects, so make sure you wipe down all those marble benches before heading off to bed. In addition, make sure you vacuum and mop your floors as frequently as you can. This ensures that your living space is kept relatively tidy and clean, deterring infestations and minimising your need for a cockroach exterminator like us.
  • While they are not an effective long-term solution, you can get rid of cockroaches by using various household baits, sprays and traps. These products can generally be purchased from your local supermarket, albeit they won’t have the same power or strength as the industrial brands used in professional cockroach pest control measures. Nonetheless, household products can be a great preventative measure if you have just moved into a new home, however, if you have an infestation, a professional cockroach exterminator is your only option.
  • The way in which you handle your rubbish removal is also very important. When you are throwing away food scraps and cleaning up food spills, make sure you are regularly emptying bins and not allowing the dirty dishes to pile up. If you want to get rid of cockroaches in your home, leaving dirty dishes in the sink (which they love) is certainly not a good start. Furthermore, make sure you clean under your fridge and toaster often, since grime can form under your fridge and bread crumbs can fall through your toaster.
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As one of the leading pest control companies in Melbourne, we have experience with every kind of domestic & commercial infestation problem. We understand the stress & inconvenience associated with pests. Our certified technicians strive to provide tailored solutions with precision and efficiency, delivering safe, high-quality results all at an affordable price. Through our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, we're the premier choice for pest control solutions in Melbourne!
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