Cockroaches

Cockroaches belong to the insect order Blattodea of which there are about 4000 species worldwide with about 400 of them native to Australia. They range in size from a few millimetres in length to about 70 millimetres for Queenslands own Giant Burrowing Cockroach found up in Northern Queensland . No matter the size they all look generally the same in structure. Oval shape body, two pairs of wings, thorax protected by pronotum which extends aver the head, compound eyes, long whip like antennae and prominent cerci and at tip of abdomen.

German Cockroach (Blattela germanica)

Adult German Cockroaches average around 1.5 cm in length. They like warm, moist areas and are therefore frequently found in kitchens and bathrooms. German cockroaches are brown in colour with two dark parallel lines running from the head to the base of the wings. Female German cockroaches carry their egg cases (ootheca) around with them instead of depositing it like other cockroaches

American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana)

American cockroaches are large ranging in size up th about 4cm. They are a uniform brown in colour with yellow edging on the pronotum. They prefer dark, moist and warm areas. Commonly found in subfloors, roof voids, sewers, rubbish storage areas and the like. Have the ability to fly but rarely do.

Smokey Brown Cockroach(Periplaneta brunnea)

Smokey Brown cockroaches are another of the larger cockroaches reaching between 3-4 cm in length and are known to fly. They are a uniform dark brown in colour with no yellow on the pronotum or wings. Found in subfloor areas, roof voids, sewers , rubbish storage areas, compost bins a nd similar areas.

Australian Cockroach(Periplaneta australasiae)

Australian cockroaches are another of the larger cockroaches measuring 3-4 cm in length and are known to fly. Dark brown in colour with yellow on the pronotum and also the sides of the wing bases. Mainly feed on organic matter such as plants and decaying matter.