German Cockroach Pest Control Sydney

German cockroaches (the “small, annoying ones”) are one of the most difficult pests to control and are very common cockroach in Sydney. If you have a German cockroach infestation at home or in your business, it generally pays to get a professional German cockroach pest control treatment, as pest managers have the knowledge and specialist cockroach products to eliminate the problem.

However, if you’re a homeowner or business owner, it also pays to know what a German cockroach looks like and how you can prevent a German cockroach infestation…

What do German cockroaches look like?

German cockroaches are a lot smaller than the American or Australian cockroaches, which many people think of when they picture a cockroach.

• Adult German cockroaches are up to 15 mm long and mid-brown in colour. They have two dark strips on their pronotum (behind their head).
• The young German cockroaches (nymphs) are very small, starting off at around 2mm long – often confused as “small brown beetles”. The youngest nymphs have a dark head and abdomen, with a pale middle. As they get older the two dark strips appear which can run the length of body.
• Only the adult cockroaches have wings, although they rarely fly.

German cockroach life cycle

One of the reasons that a German cockroach problem can quickly turn info an infestation, is that female cockroaches produce egg cases that contain up to 50 eggs and they can complete their whole life cycle in around 3 months.

German cockroach eggs

German cockroaches don’t lay eggs. Like other cockroach species, the female produces an egg case (ootheca) which contains the eggs. The female carries the egg case until just before the eggs are ready to hatch. Shortly after “dropping” the egg case, it splits open, and the young cockroaches emerge.

German cockroach nymphs (baby German cockroaches)

Baby German cockroaches are correctly called nymphs. German cockroaches go through 5-6 development stages as they grow before they turn into an adult. Each time they shed their skin to move into the next stage. After they shed their skin they will look white for a short period of time (some people may think they have seen an “albino” cockroach), but the cuticle darkens as it hardens.

German cockroach adults

Adult cockroaches can live between 4-8 months, with the female cockroaches laying between 5-8 egg cases during her lifetime.

Where do German cockroaches live?

German cockroach infestations

German cockroach infestations can develop quickly as they are very small and very secretive. They hide in cracks and crevices and due to their small size, a large number can fit into a very small place. As they are nocturnal, they are often not noticed until the infestation has developed and all the hiding spots are full, forcing the cockroaches out into the open during the day.

In severe infestations, you will start to notice a sweet sickly smell and as well as seeing live cockroaches and their spent skins, you will probably notice brown fecal spotting on surfaces, especially along edges and in corners.

Our Professional German Cockroach Treatment

Our German cockroach extermination process

There are three parts to a successful cockroach treatment:

1. Carry out a comprehensive inspection to identify all the cockroach hiding places
2. Treat hiding places directly with specialist cockroach sprays
3. Use cockroach baits and residual surface sprays to target any hiding spots inaccessible to spray treatments

Residential and Commercial Treatments

At Serial Pest Control we provide both residential and commercial German cockroach treatments. Residential infestations are generally eliminated in 1 – 2 visits. Although we guarantee elimination, we cannot provide long lasting warranty, as cockroaches can be re-introduced any time in boxes or other items. German cockroach control in commercial businesses generally require a regular service plan to keep the premises free from German cockroaches and other pests. Contact us about a commercial pest control options.

German cockroach bait

Cockroach gel baits are a useful tool in cockroach control as they can target inaccessible or unknown hiding spots and use the cockroach’s nature behaviours against them. Pregnant female cockroaches and young nymphs don’t actually leave the harbourages, but they do eat the droppings (and vomit!) of other cockroaches. Foraging cockroaches feed on the bait, which contains a slow acting insecticide. They get back to the harbourage before they start to feel ill. Their droppings and vomit contain small amounts of insecticide which is then ingested by the other cockroaches in the harbourage, eliminating the whole population.

More information on our full range of cockroach pest control treatments.

FAQ – German Cockroach Control

How do German cockroaches get into my home?

German cockroaches only live inside buildings – primarily houses, food establishments and hotels. They will often get transported between buildings inside boxes and other luggage, sometimes as an egg case. In apartment blocks, they can move through the utility service connections.

How to prevent German cockroach infestations?

The best way to prevent a German cockroach infestation is to check any incoming boxes, especially cardboard boxes, for cockroaches or their eggs cases. For commercial customers, regular pest control treatments can help prevent any German cockroach infestations from developing.

What diseases do German cockroaches carry?

German cockroaches have been shown to carry a large number of diseases, including a number of microbes that cause gut problems, such as Salmonella and E.coli. They are also known to be a major cause of asthma in poorly maintained inner city apartment blocks, due to the allergens from their spent skins and droppings.

Think you have a German cockroach infestation? Give us a call for a free quote.