Cockroaches

Cockroaches are one of the most persistent and unhygienic pests found in homes and businesses around Perth.

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German Cockroach (Blattella germanica)

​Habitat: Prefers warm, moist environments—kitchens, bathrooms, behind fridges and dishwashers.

Behaviour: Rapid breeders; a single female can produce over 30,000 offspring per year.

Risks: Known carriers of pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus. Can contaminate food, utensils, and surfaces.

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American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana)​

Habitat: Sewers, subfloors, basements, and commercial kitchens.

Behaviour: Can fly in warm weather; often enters homes through drains and vents.

Risks: Strong disease vector. Leaves droppings, foul odours, and shed skins.​

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Australian Cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae)​

Habitat: Outdoors in mulch, bark, and gardens, but often invades indoors.

Behaviour: Mostly outdoor pest but enters homes during hot or wet weather.

Risks: Can contaminate food and surfaces, though less likely to infest kitchens compared to German cockroaches.​

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Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis)​

Habitat: Damp, cool places like drains, basements, and laundry areas.

Behaviour: Poor climbers, slow movers, but thrive in high-humidity environments.

Risks: Associated with sewer systems—can carry serious bacterial and viral pathogens.

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Brown-Banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa)​

Habitat: Prefers dry, warm areas—often found in electronics, behind picture frames, and ceilings.

Behaviour: Unlike other cockroaches, they infest bedrooms and living areas more than kitchens.

Risks: Health hazard due to allergens and potential contamination.​