Australian Cockroach

The Australian cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae) prefers to live outdoors, but it can still be found in many homes. It closely resembles the American cockroach but is easy to recognize by the bright yellow bands along the front edges of its wings and the yellow markings on its thorax.

Australian cockroaches can fly, which allows them to move easily from place to place, and they have spread around the world through shipping and ports. They are among the fastest insects on the planet and can run about a meter per second when threatened. A waxy coating on their bodies helps them squeeze through small cracks and openings.

What Does an Australian Cockroach Look Like?

Australian cockroaches are reddish-brown to dark brown, with yellow markings on the top of the thorax and along the front edge of each wing. Adults are about 23–35 mm long, slightly smaller than American cockroaches, with long wings that cover the abdomen and spiny legs.

Males and females are hard to tell apart from above; the difference is in the tip of the abdomen, where adult males have two pairs of appendages and females have one.

Australian Cockroach Life Cycle

• Eggs: Each egg capsule (ootheca) contains 16–24 eggs, which hatch within 30–40 days. A female can produce 12–30 capsules in her lifetime, dropping one about every 10 days, so an infestation can grow quickly.
• Nymphs: Nymphs are wingless and have light yellow spots on the abdomen, which helps distinguish this species. They take 6–12 months to become adults.
• Adults: Adults are 32–35 mm long, reddish-brown to dark brown, with fully developed wings, and they are able to fly.

Where Do Australian Cockroaches Live?

Australian cockroaches thrive in warm, humid areas. Outdoors, they live in woodpiles, trees, planters and roof spaces. Indoors, they favor warm, damp places such as greenhouses (which is why they are also called greenhouse cockroaches), bathrooms and kitchens. Because they can fly, they move easily between outdoor areas and homes.

What Do Australian Cockroaches Eat?

They feed mainly on plant material outdoors, but indoors they eat starchy foods and are especially fond of sweets, fruit and honey. They will also feed on hair, leather, animal hides, dead insects, book bindings and paper.

How Dangerous Are Australian Cockroaches?

Australian cockroaches contaminate every surface they walk on and can spread disease-causing germs. They are often found in food preparation and storage areas, leave an unpleasant odor, and their droppings and shed skins can trigger allergic reactions and asthma. They can also contaminate stored starchy foods and damage plants.

How to Get Rid of Australian Cockroaches

A pest management professional can keep Australian cockroaches out of your home and give you and your family the peace of mind you deserve. Effective control requires a well-planned approach:

• Remove clutter and debris where cockroaches can hide and breed.
• Seal cracks around the foundation of your home.
• Fit screens or covers on all vents.
• Store garbage in sealed containers until it is collected.
• Avoid leaving pet food outdoors, especially on porches and patios.

If you are dealing with an infestation, Safeguard’s cockroach control experts can identify the species, locate where they are hiding and eliminate them safely and effectively.