Australia is blessed with an abundance of unique bugs, house insects and mammals that can't be found anywhere else in the world. The flipside however, is that we also have to deal with them invading our houses and properties.
Australian Cockroach
Classification
Species category: Cockroach Scientific name: Periplaneta australiasiae Family: Blattidae
Description
A large cockroach species that is similar to the American Cockroach but smaller - 30-35mm in length. It has a distinctive pale yellow ring around the pronotum and pale yellow epaulettes on the front edges of the tegmina. Regardless of its name, it is actually a cosmopolitan species that is located outside Australia also, but not common in cooler climates. Generally they like moisture and prefer warmer, humid environments but can also live in dry conditions. Unlike the American cockroach, they struggle in colder conditions. Although the main harbourages are outdoors, this cockroach will typically forage for food in the inhabited parts of buildings, along ducts, service pipes and crevices.
Behaviour
This species is nocturnal; they spend the day hiding in cracks and crevices. Generally they like moisture and prefer warmer, humid environments but can also live in dry conditions. Cockroaches are extremely fast with incredible reaction times. The Australian Cockroach has a long lifecycle and the nymphal stage can take 6-12 months, they will go through 11 moults before reaching adulthood. They are scavengers that enjoy a varied diet and tend to select a more plant based diet than other species.
Risks
Like other cockroach species, the Australian Cockroaches transmit bacteria as they walk, transferring pathogens such as salmonella and e.coli to every area they scurry across. Cockroaches also shed cuticles, faeces and other cockroach debris which are known asthma and allergy triggers. Heavy infestations can have a distinct odour.
American Cockroach
German Cockroach
Oriental Cockroach
Ants
Rodents
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