Australian Cockroach

• The Australian cockroach is an outdoor species that usually inhabits locations with high moisture content, such as tree bark and piles of wood or leaves.
• Indoors, look for Australian roaches in dark and warm conditions near a food and water supply, such as sinks, bathtubs, cabinets, drains and water pipes.
• Attics and crawl spaces are also good environments for Australian cockroach populations

• Adult Australian cockroaches are about 1.2”- 1.5” in length and range in color from reddish-brown to dark-brown with a pale-yellow band on the edge of the pronotal shield.
• Australian cockroaches can be confused with the American cockroach, but can be identified by a light-yellow band on the outer edge of both wings near where they attach to the main body.
• Both sexes have a full set of functioning wings and are capable of flight.
• The oothecal (egg case) is dark brown to black with 12-14 eggs on each end and is deposited in crevices and hidden areas.
• Nymphs are black during the first instar, brown in 2nd, and have a white marking on the mesothorax.
• Later instars are reddish-brown with more pronounced white/yellow markings.

• Yes! Like most roaches, Australian cockroaches can spread pathogens, contaminate food and food prep areas, and cause disease, gastrointestinal discomfort, and allergic reactions.
• Australian cockroaches can also damage plants, especially seedlings, when inhabiting greenhouses.

Wherever Australian roaches can find warmth, moisture, and food, there is potential for an infestation. Heated buildings with plenty of humidity attract them, especially when the weather turns cold. Australian cockroaches generally find their way into homes through open windows and doors; and through small cracks and holes.

• Because the Australian cockroach lives primarily outdoors, preventing entry into structures is the first action recommended.
• Install weatherstripping on doors; caulk cracks around windows, doors, and utility pipes and wires, and any additional openings in your structures -- that includes your garage and shed, where roaches can hide in items and then be brought inside.
• Adam’s can also apply a residual treatment around the perimeter of your structure.
• Next, remove sources of food, water, and shelter. Regular cleaning is one of the best ways to control Australian cockroaches because it eliminates their food sources.
• Seal pantry items and pet food in glass or plastic containers.
• Repair leaky pipes and faucets and pipes and keep humidity levels low.

• Australian roaches feed on decaying mulch, plants, and leaf litter; and tender parts of plants.
• Like all cockroaches, Australian roaches are opportunistic omnivores. They will eat anything available, including human and pet food, as well as garbage.

• Australian cockroaches grow from egg to adult in about a year.
• An adult Australian cockroach lives on average from 4 to 6 months.
• A healthy female Australian cockroach will produce about 20-30 egg cases (oothecae) during her lifetime. Each ootheca contains about 25 eggs.
• The ootheca is often dropped or glued in hidden cracks and crevices.
• It takes about 24 days for a newly molted female to produce the first ootheca.