Cockroaches are the scavengers of the world; they eat almost any organic matter, almost anywhere. They are also survivors, with around 3000 species. Many of which are carriers of serious diseases which affect humans.

Avoiding light, cockroaches prefer warm, dark, moist locations that are close to a food source. These can include behind refrigerators, dishwashers, drains, sewers, garbage areas, air conditioning units, kitchen cupboards and benches.

These areas bring them into contact with and also allow them to spread disease organisms such as Salmonella and organisms associated with Dysentery, Typhoid, Hepatitis and Tuberculosis.

Cockroaches are also known to produce allergic reactions in humans and in some instances, severe asthma attacks. This is from the Cockroach dust left behind which consists of moulted body parts and droppings.

Cockroach Species

American Cockroach
The largest of the cockroach pest species, the body of an adult American cockroach or water bug is 28 to 44mm in length. With a reddish brown body, American cockroaches also have a distinctive yellowish band behind the head.
The female life span is up to 1.5 years, during which the female will produce about 150 eggs. The incubation period for eggs is 6 to 8 weeks and immature cockroaches require 6 to 12

Australian Cockroach
The Australian cockroach looks similar to the American cockroach, except it has yellow strips on the outer edge of the front wings. It is a world wide species that prefers a vegetarian diet, it is even known to eat holes in clothing and even book covers.
The female lives for up to 6 months. With the incubation period for eggs being 40 days, an infestation can rapidly expand in ideal conditions. Chronic household infestations usually originate from the roof void, attic or sub floor areas of the building.

Brown Banded Cockroach
The brown banded cockroach looks similar to the German cockroach. But they have two lighter bands running across from one side to the other at the base of the wings and abdomen. They are 13 to 14 mm in length and have a life span of up to 4 months.
The Brown Banded cockroach doesn’t need to remain close to water, therefore they are seen more often throughout the home rather than predominately in the kitchens and bathrooms.

Oriental Cockroach
The oriental cockroach prefers dark, damp and cool areas such as those under sinks and washing machines.
they are rarely found on walls, in high cupboards or on the upper floors of buildings.  They are usually about 25mm in length and are very dark brown, almost black in colour.  The Oriental Cockroach can enter a home in food packages, laundry or simply under the door.  They feed on rubbish and other decaying organic material.  If water is unavailable they can live for a month without food; however without water they die within two weeks. 

Helpful Hints

Inspection
Inspecting your home or business before treating allows you to identify where cockroaches may be breeding and where they may be obtaining food and water. This allows you to identify the areas most in need of treatment.

• Inspect the entire kitchen area (including under sinks, refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, microwave, other cooking appliances)
• Also inspect bathroom cabinets, drawers, basement and the sub floor crawlspace.
• When inspecting look for high activity areas, harbourages, any cockroaches (whether dead of alive), their faeces and egg sacks

Hygiene and Storage
Good hygiene is essential because it ensures that no food is left to attract cockroaches and also because is makes the presence of cockroaches easy to detect.

• Keep food in sealed containers
• Do not leave any food scraps exposed in the kitchen or in waste storage areas
• Thoroughly clean all benches and food preparation areas, particularly areas between the counter and appliances
• Regularly vacuum or clean possible harbourage areas and high activity areas (carpets, drapes, furniture, kitchen and bathroom cupboards), this is to ensure you removed cockroach eggs and food deposits
• Regularly check and fix any plumbing problems, broken roof tiles etc that will collect moisture
• Remove all moisture in the sinks before going to bed
• Fix any leaking taps
• Seal all cracks and crevices in the bathroom, pantry and kitchen cupboards
• Store all cardboard boxes etc above ground level

Silverfish

Identification
Silverfish are wingless insects with long antennae, they are approximately 1.25cm long. They have a flat, silver scaly body which is wider at the front and narrows at the bottom.

Habitat
Preferring dark damp places such as bathrooms, kitchens and ceiling cavities Silverfish are most active at night. Popular hiding spots include bookcases, wardrobes and doorframes.  It is also common to find Silverfish in the bathroom, they travel down from the ceiling cavity through the downlights.

Food Sources
Silverfish feed on products which are starchy, sweet and high in protein. This includes things such as book bindings, cereal, clothing, gum, paste and wallpaper.

Damage
Because they are active all year around, damage to objects can occur at any time. The most commonly seen damage is uneven holes in paper, books and flooring. Silverfish sometimes also leave a noticeable
yellow stain on material such as linen

Control
Changing the environment where the Silverfish are located can help control them - this can be as simple as making a room hotter or colder, or cleaning or vacuuming.

Freezing any infested objects (such as books or clothes) will kill all life stages within the object.

Cockroach and Silverfish Treatments

Sandgate Pest Control's cockroach and silverfish treatment uses a variety of methods to ensure that any problem within your home is eradicated.  We treat each part of the house thoroughly, focusing on likely breeding areas and areas where these pests commonly hide.  Among other things we:

•  Treat in and around cupboards; particulary in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry.  

• Spray all accessible skirting areas within a house

For more information on our Cockroach and Silverfish treatment, please contact our office staff.  They will be able to answer any questions you have.