Cockroach Control
German, Australian, Oriental, American & Brown-Banded cockroaches
Cockroaches spread bacteria, contaminate food and can trigger asthma and allergies. Identifying the species is the first step, because each one hides, breeds and responds to treatment differently.
What We Commonly See in Melbourne Homes
Small Roaches at Night
Switch the kitchen light on late at night and see small grey-brown roaches scatter from behind the fridge, microwave, oven or inside cupboards? That's almost always the German cockroach – the hardest species to get rid of with supermarket or hardware-store sprays.
Large Roaches in Any Room
Regularly finding big, dark reddish-brown roaches with a yellow band behind the head on walls or floors – in any room, not just the kitchen? That's the native Australian (garden) cockroach, an outdoor pest that often wanders inside.
Cockroach Species Found in Melbourne
German Cockroach
- Small, light brown, two dark stripes behind the head
- Loves warm, humid kitchens & bathrooms
- Breeds extremely fast – infestations grow quickly
Australian Cockroach
- Large, dark brown with yellow markings near the head
- Lives outdoors – gardens, pot plants, BBQs
- Comes inside for food & water; flies in warm weather
Oriental Cockroach
- Shiny black to dark brown, a bit bigger than German roaches
- Prefers cool, damp spots – drains, sewers, subfloors
- Slow-moving; struggles to climb smooth surfaces
American Cockroach
- Melbourne's largest roach – reddish-brown with a pale yellow band behind the head
- Less common here; numbers vary year to year
- Found in commercial buildings, sewers, dark cupboards and behind appliances
- Strong flyer that can spread disease
Brown-Banded Cockroach
- Small, light brown with pale bands across the wings
- Prefers warmer, drier spots – cupboards, furniture, ceilings
- Needs less water than other species
How We Treat Cockroaches
Today's cockroach treatments are low-risk for people and pets but highly effective against every cockroach species. The right mix of products depends on which species you have and whether the problem is inside, outside or both.
Our Treatment
- Inspection to identify the species & hiding spots
- Targeted gel baits in cracks & crevices
- Residual treatment to skirting & entry points
- Growth regulators to break the breeding cycle
- External perimeter treatment where needed
Prevention Tips
- Keep benches & floors free of food scraps
- Store food in sealed containers
- Seal cracks in walls & around windows
- Fix leaking taps & keep drains clear
- Don't leave dishes out overnight