Cockroach. A name applied to approximately 4,000 species of insects worldwide. Cockroaches generally have flat bodies, protruding antennae, long legs for running, and many species have developed wings that enable them to fly. They range from .6 - 7.6 cm in length. The majority of cockroaches are shiny brown or black in colour, although colours such as bright yellow, red and green are not uncommon in a number of tropical species.
There are approximately 450 species found in Australia, of which, only five are considered pests. They are scavenging experts and have the ability to eat almost anything. They have a long association with humans, mainly because of the waste that we produce, which provides a great source of food for them and their offspring. Unfortunately, these pests carry bacteria such as Salmonella, which they can pass on to humans. Due to their ability to produce a large number of offspring, this becomes a great problem.
The most common varieties in the Sydney area are the German Cockroach and the American Cockroach.
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The German Cockroach, originating in Africa, is the smallest of the pest species and can reach up to a maximum of 1.5 cm in size. It is the most common cockroach found in Sydney and is the hardest to get rid of. It can be found anywhere in the house, but likes to frequent areas where food is stored. It can eat anything from raw foods to even glue in furniture, but prefers starchy foods such as potatoes, rice and cereal. It can produce more eggs and more generations per year than any other cockroach and only a handful are needed to develop into an infestation.
The American Cockroach is another common pest in Sydney. It has a smoky-brown colour and can reach up to 5.5 cm in size. Although a recent arrival in Australia, it seems to be displacing some of the domestic species. It is a nocturnal scavenger and likes to hide in dark and damp places during the day, although it is very resilient and can survive extreme conditions (adults can also live without food for up to three months and without water for up to a month). It has a similar diet to the German Cockroach and can contaminate food with harmful bacteria.
