Guide to Australian Cockroaches

Australian Cockroaches Control Guide

The Australian Cockroach, despite its name, most likely originated in Africa. Today, it can be found all over the globe, but it is most commonly found in tropical climates, such as in Australia and the southern United States. These cockroaches are primarily found outside, but they will sometimes come inside during the winter.

Just like any other cockroach species, it is not wise to allow Australian Cockroaches to remain inside your home. If you begin spotting Australian Cockroaches inside your house, it’s important to act fast to avoid a full-blown infestation.

This article serves as your complete guide to Australian Cockroaches.

How to Identify an Australian Cockroach

Australian Cockroaches are often mistaken for American Cockroaches, but there are some distinctive differences between them.

For starters, Australian Cockroaches are slightly smaller than their American counterpart. Additionally, the Australian Cockroach has a distinct yellow or pale margin on its headshield, which is technically known as the pronotum. You can find yellow stripes on its thorax and the sides adjacent to the wings.

If the cockroach you are dealing with has yellow markings on its head, thorax, and wing base, you are dealing with an Australian Cockroach, not an American Cockroach. No other cockroaches have this distinctive look.

When Are They Most Active?

Because Australian Cockroaches are a tropical species, they prefer warm, humid weather. As a result, they are most likely to be active outside during the summer months. During the winter months, they may try to move into your home through cracks and openings in search of warmth.

Just like other cockroaches, Australian Cockroaches are most active during the night. This means that you might not realize you have a cockroach problem until you walk around at night and quickly flick on a light. During daylight, they like to hide in dark, sheltered spaces, such as under tree bark or inside walls.

With these facts in mind, you should look under or around objects if you suspect there is an Australian Cockroach infestation. Being on the lookout at night is when you are most likely to see them active.

What Are the Dangers of Australian Cockroaches?

Even though Australian Cockroaches are not aggressive or poisonous, they are dangerous and should not be left inside any home. Some reasons why Australian Cockroaches are dangerous include:

• They shed dead skin and excrement, which can cause health problems and allergies in young children, individuals with low immunity, and the elderly.
• They produce allergens, which causes problems for individuals with allergies and asthma.
• They contaminate surfaces and food since they carry excrement, bacteria, pathogens, and parasites.
• They can damage any plants or organic matter in the area, including the structure of your home.

Species Overview

Although Australian Cockroaches are a problem in Queensland, they are not the only cockroach species to be on lookout for. Here is a look at other cockroach species to be aware of:

Australian Cockroach

• Distinctive Feature: Yellow Bands

As described above, the Australian Cockroach is identifiable because of its yellow stripes. You’re most likely to find these cockroaches outside during the summer, but they can invade the home during the winter months. They have a life cycle that includes 3 stages and only live to be 4 to 6 months.

American Cockroach

• Distinctive Feature: Large, reddish-brown color

The American Cockroach is slightly bigger than the Australian Cockroach. It has a reddish-brown color and has a yellow band slightly behind its head. There are no other yellow bands on its body. These cockroaches live approximately 1 year.

German Cockroach

• Distinctive Feature: Light brown with two dark stripes

The German Cockroach looks very different from both the Australian and American Cockroaches. It has a light brown color with two dark stripes. Most German Cockroaches only live 200 days at most.

Oriental Cockroach

• Distinctive Feature: Dark brown or black color

Oriental Cockroaches can be distinguished because of their dark bodies. They are often dark brown or black. The males have very large wings that cover 75% of their bodies. Most Oriental Cockroaches only live three to six months.

Brown Banded Cockroach

• Distinctive Feature: Two light brown bands

Brown Banded Cockroaches are named because they have two light bands that run across their darker abdomen. This cockroach is invasive in many areas, and they live slightly longer than other roach types. The average lifespan is 206 days, but they can live upwards of 300 days.

Smoky Brown Cockroach

• Distinctive Feature: Brown color

The Smoky Brown Cockroach is large and prefers to live in outdoor, wooded areas. It is sensitive to changes in the environment. As its name suggests, this roach type has a distinctive brown color and lives about 200 days in the wild, but they can live two years or more in ideal circumstances.

How to Control Australian Cockroaches

If you have an Australian Cockroach problem, it’s important to act fast. Here are some tips for controlling Australian Cockroaches:

Remove Habitats from Around Your Home

Australian Cockroaches prefer to be outside and spend most of their time around wood and lumber piles. By removing these sorts of habitats from around your home, you are less likely to experience a cockroach infestation. Keep woodpiles, greenhouses, and similar structures away from your home.

Seal Up Your House

Australian Cockroaches primarily only come into the house when it’s cold. If you seal up the home, they won’t have a way in. Make sure the foundation, siding, and entry points of your home are completely sealed up to prevent the cockroaches from getting in.

Hire a Pest Control Specialist

If you cannot get rid of Australian Cockroaches, hire a pest control specialist. The specialists of Pro Pest Control Adelaide will be able to eradicate all of the Australian Cockroaches and provide tips for preventing them from coming back.

Conclusion

Australian Cockroaches may appear harmless, but they can wreak havoc on your health and home. Make sure you know what you are dealing with so that you can act accordingly. Keep all Australian Roach habitats away from your home and seal up your house. Don’t hesitate to hire a pest control specialist if you know you have an Australian Cockroach problem.