It’s Cockroach Invasion Season
Do you need Pest Control Brisbane?

Were you aware that Queensland’s hot steamy summers provide the ideal conditions for cockroaches to breed en masse? When you factor in the dry conditions of Spring 2019, which drives cockroaches indoors, you have the perfect recipe for serious cockroach infestations this festive season. 

It’s looking to be a busy time for staff at pest control businesses, like our team at Sunshine Pest Management. 

But are cockroaches really such a  problem? And how do you tell when you need to call in the professionals?
Below we’ll explore:

• Why cockroaches really are bad news 
• How to tell if you’ve got a cockroach problem
• What you can do to get rid of roaches 

Why Cockroaches are Bad News

Here’s the thing, Australia has about 450 species of cockroaches, but only five of these species are considered major pests and the three most pesky ones originate from outside Australia. Most Australian cockroach species are entirely happy to stay the heck away from human beings, preferring to spend their days foraging contentedly through leaf litter and soil.

So in Queensland when people talk about unwelcome antennaed ‘tenants’ they are most likely referring to the American Cockroach, or the Australian Cockroach – which is oddly named given it’s an introduced species – or the German Cockroach. And yes these guys are bad news. Why?

• They can spread disease. According to the World Health Organisation cockroaches’ habit of consuming human faeces as well as human food and garbage means that, on a global scale, they are “proven or suspected carriers of the organisms causing:

1. diarrhoea
2. dysentery
3. cholera
4. leprosy
5. plague
6. typhoid fever
7. viral diseases such as poliomyelitis”
   

• The saliva, faeces and shedding body parts of cockroaches can trigger asthma and allergies in susceptible people 
• Cockroaches can destroy books by eating the bindings and laying eggs between the pages. They also have a taste for many clothing materials and will happily munch away on on your handbags and wallpaper too
• Plus they have some gross habits which can make your home unhygienic 

So yes, cockroaches, at least the pest types, are bad news indeed. 

How do I Tell When I have a Cockroach Infestation?

If you’re googling pest control Brisbane, then you’ve probably spotted the odd roach or two in your kitchen. If you have seen any, especially in the daytime, then it’s highly likely you have many more!

But even if you haven’t clocked a roach, that still doesn’t mean you’re infestation-free. Here’s a few signs to look out for: 

• A black or brown dust on benchtops or floors which looks a bit like coffee grounds or black pepper – this is cockroach droppings 
• Cockroach smears. Sounds horrible doesn’t it? These smears are liquid cockroach faeces. Check out benchtops, corners and wall edges where cockroaches spend a lot of their time 
• A strange smell. When lots of pest roaches congregate they can produce a weird musty smell detectable to humans
• Damage to books or clothing – as mentioned above, cockroaches have a varied diet that extends well beyond typical human food. 

What Can I do to get Rid of Cockroaches?

Calling a pest control company is obviously a highly effective and safe way to get rid of cockroaches. At Sunshine Pest Management we offer a pest control service to customers across the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane regions, including pest control Redcliffe and Sandgate pest control.

Not only will we destroy your cockroach infestation, we can also advise you how to make your home less appealing to cockroaches in the future. This includes doing things like: 

• Ensuring internal and external rubbish bins are sealed 
• Inspecting your house for tempting cockie hidey-holes and sealing them up where possible. Cockroaches love nooks and crannies so any tiny space you can eliminate is a good thing
• Cleaning out your cupboards regularly and sealing perishables in air-tight containers
• Sealing up cracks around plumbing pipes that lead outdoors – cockroaches are fond of drains and you’re essentially denying them a favoured entry point to your house by taking this step.