Professional Cockroach Control Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula & Gippsland
To get rid of cockroaches permanently, many homeowners and businesses find that a professional cockroach pest control treatment is the best option. To exterminate cockroaches and get lasting protection takes expert knowledge and specialist cockroach products, especially when dealing with the troublesome German cockroach.
Here at Termites VIC we are cockroach experts – identifying the species and understanding its behaviour is critical to success. Then using a range of specialist cockroach products, we can guarantee to eliminate your cockroach problem and provide lasting protection.
What our customers think…
Pest Control for Cockroaches
Before we carry out a cockroach treatment it is important to carry out a thorough inspection to identity the species present, all the areas of activity and any conditions that may have contributed to the cockroach infestation. This then allows us to develop an effective cockroach treatment knowing which products to use, where to place the products and how much to use.
Large Cockroach Treatments
Large cockroach species (typically the American and Australian cockroaches) tend to live outside, coming inside (by accident). They live in the leaf litter, drains and garbage bins. They can live inside buildings, most commonly in sub-floors and roof voids.
The main component of a treatment for large cockroaches is a specialist cockroach spray which is applied to the external perimeter of the building to stop cockroaches entering the building, as well as garbage bins. Insecticide powder will be used in the roof void and sub-floor (if required). Sometimes spot treatments may be required indoors with sprays, powder or bait.
Our large cockroach treatments come with a 6-month warranty.
German Cockroach Treatments (small cockroaches)
German cockroaches are the main small cockroach species you find indoors (the other is the brown banded cockroach). They only live indoors, in cracks and crevices, primarily in kitchens (where there is plenty of food and water), but also bathrooms and laundries.
A thorough inspection is essential for a successful German cockroach treatment, in order to identify all their hiding places. Cockroach baits are the main products uses, but specialist cockroach sprays and powders are sometime used for spot treatments.
Although we guarantee we will eliminate your German cockroach problem, we don’t provide any warranty for long term protection, as new infestations can be bought in easily (for example in cardboard boxes).
How do cockroach baits work?
Cockroach baits consist of a food and slow acting insecticide. The cockroaches eat the bait and as it’s slow acting, the cockroach gets back to the harbourage before they start to feel ill. The vomit and droppings of these cockroaches contain some insecticide from the bait they have eaten. This is important, as other cockroaches in the harborage will eat the vomit and droppings ingesting the insecticide leading to total population control.
Cockroach baits kill individual cockroaches within 24 hours, but it can take 1-2 weeks to eliminate the population. In major infestations a second, follow up visit may be required.
Termites VIC – Your Cockroach Exterminator in Melbourne
When you have a cockroach problem, you want the gone as quickly as possible – you want a cockroach exterminator! However, here at Termites VIC we view ourselves as more than just an exterminator. We are pest managers – we carry out an inspection to find the source of the problem and make recommendations to fix any conditions that may have contributed to the infestation. This way, after we have carried out the cockroach extermination, we can be confident you will get long lasting protection and help prevent future cockroach infestations.
For commercial customers, especially food management businesses, regular servicing will be required to ensure the premises remains cockroach free.
How to Prevent a Cockroach Problem…
To help prevent cockroaches invading the house, the key action is to remove potential food sources in and around the house:
- Clear away dirty dishes immediately after use
- Clear up food spills
- Keep garbage in sealed containers
- Put opened food packets into sealed containers
- Don’t leave uneaten pet food out
- Clean cookers, grills and under fridge areas
Keep the area immediate around the perimeter of the building (minimal vegetation) is a good tip to minimise a wide range of pest problems.
How to prevent a German cockroach infestation…
German cockroach are indoor cockroaches, so they need to get introduced into the building. In unit blocks they will move between units, via the holes used by utility pipes. However, one of the most common sources of introduction is inside cardboard boxes. Cockroaches love cardboard boxes and will often hiding inside the fluting and amongst items in the box. Sometimes it’s not the cockroaches that are brought into the house, but cockroach egg cases (ootheca) which can contain between 30-40 nymphs – an instant cockroach infestation!
Cockroach Pest Treatment – FAQ
How long to cockroach treatments last?
Whether it is part of our general pest control treatment or a stand alone large cockroach treatment, we offer a 6-month warranty. The exact length of protection depends on the level of exposure of the treated surface to sun and rain. Most cockroach sprays are in sheltered areas, which is why we can offer the 6-month warranty.
Are cockroach treatments safe around children and pets?
When we carry out an cockroach spray, children and pets need to be kept out of the treatment area during application, but once the treatment is dry, pets and children can re-enter. When we use baits, we will place them in locations areas where children and pets are unlikely to gain access. We only place very small dots of bait and the level of insecticide in the baits is extremely low, which means there will be no ill effect if accidentally ingested. However, some bait formulation contain peanut butter, so it is important to let your pest manager know if anyone in the house has a nut allergy.
What do I need to do before and after a cockroach treatment?
If we are spraying around the building, before the treatment it is helpful if belongings are removed from areas around the perimeter of the building to allow a thorough and safe treatment. In particular, children’s toys and pet food bowls should be removed. Any fishtanks and ponds should be covered.
Whereas it is not essential to leave the premises during application, pets and children need to be kept clear of the treatment area during application and should not be allowed to re-enter until the treatment has dried.
How long after pest control will I see cockroaches?
Immediately after a spray and for the next 24 hours you are likely to see a large number of dead cockroaches, especially if the treatment was for large cockroaches. For a bait treatment you are likely to see dead cockroaches for the 2 weeks after treatment, although many of the young cockroaches will die in their harbourage. With a residual spray treatment in place, in the months after the treatment you will get the occasional dead cockroach as they try and get inside and contact the surface treatment.
How long is cockroach bait effective?
Cockroach bait is most effective when it is fresh and certainly it remains very effective for the couple of weeks necessary to eliminate a cockroach infestation. However, although the bait will harden over time, cockroaches will still feed on bait many months after placement, although it can depend on what alternative food sources are available.
What are the health risks of cockroaches?
Cockroaches carry a wide range of diseases. Of particular concern are the role cockroaches may play in the transfer of the various stomach bugs, such as Salmonella and E.coli. Cockroaches also produce a large amount of allergens from their shed skins and droppings. In inner city apartment blocks with ongoing cockroach problems, childhood asthma triggered by these allergens is a significant problem.
Types of Cockroach
The three main species of cockroach found in Melbourne are:
- American cockroach – large cockroach – outdoor / indoor
- Australian cockroach – large cockroach – outdoor / indoor (cream bar on edge of wings)
- German cockroach – small cockroach – indoor only
(body up to 15 mm long)