Cockroaches come out at night, hide through the day and breed quickly, so the few you see are rarely the whole story. They like warmth, moisture and crumbs, which makes kitchens and bathrooms their favourite rooms. Here is how to tell what you are dealing with and what to do about it.
What to look for
Signs you have them
- Cockroaches that scatter when you turn on the kitchen or bathroom light at night.
- Droppings that look like ground pepper or coffee grounds in cupboards, drawers and along benchtop edges.
- Small brown egg cases, shaped like a capsule, tucked into corners or behind appliances.
- Dark smear marks along walls and skirting where they travel.
- Shed skins near where they hide.
- A musty, oily smell that does not go away with cleaning.
- A cockroach out in the open during the day. They prefer the dark, so this can mean the hiding spots are full.
Usual hiding spots
Where they hide
- Behind and under fridges, ovens, dishwashers and microwaves, where it is warm.
- Inside kitchen cupboards, under the sink and around plumbing.
- Bathrooms, laundries and floor drains.
- Roof voids, subfloors and wall cavities.
- Cardboard boxes, stacked paper and cluttered storage.
- Outside in garden mulch, leaf litter, drains and around bins, then indoors when the weather turns.
The honest version
Why it matters
Cockroaches walk through drains, bins and rubbish, then across your benches, plates and food. They can carry bacteria that cause food poisoning.
Their droppings and shed skins can set off asthma and allergies, especially in children.
They breed fast and stay hidden. By the time you are seeing them regularly there are usually far more out of sight.
Before we get there
What to do, and what not to
Do this now
- Wipe benches and sweep up crumbs before bed. Do not leave dishes in the sink overnight.
- Keep food in sealed containers, including pet food.
- Empty the kitchen bin regularly and keep a lid on it.
- Fix dripping taps and dry out the sink and bath at night. They need water more than food.
- Clear out cardboard boxes and clutter from cupboards.
- Note where and when you see them. It tells us where to look.
Do not do this
- Do not assume one cockroach is just one cockroach.
- Do not count on dealing with the ones you can see. The ones you cannot see are the problem.
- Do not leave pet food and water bowls out overnight if you can avoid it.
- Do not wait for it to sort itself out. It will not.
Our part
How we deal with it
Every home is different, so the detail comes with the quote. This is how a job like yours usually runs.
Identify
We work out which type of cockroach you have and how far it has spread. Different types live in different places.
Inspect
We check the kitchen, wet areas and the hidden spots where they live and breed, not just where you saw them.
Treat
We treat the areas where they hide and travel. We explain what the treatment involves at the quote.
Advise
We tell you what to do before and after, and what to change around the home so they are less likely to come back.
Asked a lot
Cockroaches: common questions
Something else on your mind? Put it in the quote form and we will answer it when we reply.
Does having cockroaches mean my house is dirty?
No. Clean homes get cockroaches too. They come in through drains, gaps, deliveries and from next door, looking for water and warmth. Good cleaning habits make a home less attractive to them, but they are not a guarantee.
I only saw one. Do I need to worry?
One large cockroach that wandered in from outside is common in Sydney and may be just that. Small cockroaches in the kitchen, or several sightings in a week, usually mean they are living and breeding inside. Send us a photo and we can tell you which it is.
Why do they keep coming back?
Usually because the hidden ones and the egg cases were never dealt with, or because something keeps attracting them, like a leak or easy food. That is why we look at where they live, not only where you see them.
What do I need to do before a treatment?
It depends on the home and the type of cockroach. We explain exactly what to do before and after when we quote, including anything that applies to children and pets.
The rest of the line-up
Other pests
Got cockroaches?
Better call Saulo. Send the details and a photo of what you are seeing and we will come back with a quote.