How to Control Cockroaches
– Baits, Sprays, Gels & more

Cockroaches are probably the most unwanted pest in the home. Their connection with filth and quick scurrying movements certainly create a lot of anxiety. For some, the appearance of just one cockroach can make them feel as if they are a bad housekeeper (although often it is not their fault).

Fortunately with a combination of good prevention tips and suitable pest control products, most cockroach problems are easy to control.

Signs of a Cockroach Infestation

Cockroach egg case - ootheca — Cockroach egg cases are a sign you might have a cockroach infestation

As cockroaches are nocturnal, often you many only see one or two cockroaches. But when you see one or two, you know there will be a lot more hiding in the cracks and crevices. If you are seeing cockroaches during the day, the chances are you have a significant infestation. Where do cockroaches live?
With a significant infestation you will often find “spotting” in the corners of cupboards or hiding places. These spots are the faeces and vomit of cockroaches.
Other signs of an infestation include old “skins” left behind when cockroaches moult and empty egg cases.
If there is a significant infestation, there will often be a characteristic cockroach smell.

Cockroach droppings

Cockroach droppings are obviously gross, but if you know what you’re looking for, they can be a sign you have a cockroach problem.

Large cockroaches produce more obvious droppings, more like a small pellet, whereas German cockroaches produce droppings which are more like spot, often with some liquid. When there are a large number of spots in one location, it indicates you have a major infestation on your hands!

Cockroach droppings are a major source of allergens that can cause asthma.

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Cockroach Prevention Tips

Cleaning dirty cooker — Keeping appliances clean removes attractive cockroach foods sources

Good Hygiene Is Critical:

Clean away spilled food and dirty dishes straight away
Ensure rubbish is put in secure containers
Put on the dishwasher regularly (cockroaches love dishwashers – food and moisture a plenty!)
Don’t leave pet food out overnight
Fix any leaks / areas of moisture
Fill any cracks and crevices
Don’t store cardboard boxes in the sub-floor
Keep an eye out for egg cases coming in on cardboard boxes as this is a common source of infestation.

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Cockroach Control Tips

Releasing a cockroach bomb — Cockroach bombs are great for infestations

Cockroach gel bait application — Cockroach gels are great for German cockroaches (infestations and prevention)

pestxpert outdoor perimeter spray — A cockroach spray around the perimeter of the building is great for prevention

Cockroach Products

A range of products are available to control cockroaches. Whereas a cockroach spray inside and outside the home may be good for large cockroaches (such as American and Australian cockroaches), for small cockroaches (such as German cockroaches) and cockroach infestations, it is often necessary to use a number of different products in combination.

Cockroach Bait

Cockroach baits are the best option for controlling infestations in kitchens and sensitive areas. They can also be used as a preventative treatment in properties which have ongoing cockroach problems (as is often the case in blocks of units where cockroaches can move between units).

Cockroach baits come into two forms; solid bait in plastic bait stations as found in most supermarkets and cockroach gel baits which are used by pest professionals. Whichever bait product you use, it’s important to know how to use a cockroach bait, so that you get the best results.

COCKROACH GEL

Cockroach gels are preferred by pest professionals as they are generally more attractive than solid baits but most importantly they are more flexible in application. Most homeowners will not have used cockroach gel baits before so it’s important to know how cockroach gels work.

Bait can be placed on vertical and horizontal surfaces and even in tight areas such as cupboard hinges, allowing you to target cockroach hiding places.
As German cockroaches don’t travel far from their hiding places (and you don’t always know where they are hiding!), lots of small bait placements rather than a few bait stations will deliver better results.
PestXpert 2 in 1 Cockroach Bait is a unique professional style cockroach gel. Its highly attractive formulation actually includes 2 active ingredients; one to kill the cockroaches and one to break the breeding cycle.

How long do cockroach bait take to work?

Individual cockroaches will die within 24 hours of eating cockroach bait, but it can take 1-2 weeks for enough cockroaches to eat the bait to spread the insecticide through the population to achieve complete control. In severe infestations it can take longer and more than one application.

How long do cockroach baits last?

The attractiveness of cockroach baits declined overtime. After placement it gradually dries out and becomes less attractive. It is generally recommended that cockroach bait placements are replaced every 3 months – simply scratch off the gel dot and place a new one.

Cockroach Bomb

“Cockroach bombs” also know as cockroach foggers or total release aerosols, are a great way to easily treat a whole room. The ultra fine mist they can get into the cracks and crevices where the cockroaches are hiding. Although they are great for cockroach infestations, they can also be used as a preventative measure. To ensure the cockroach bomb is used safely and effectively it is important to know how to use a cockroach bomb.

PestXpert Pro Fogger is a unique cockroach bomb formulation as it contains a combination of 3 active ingredients to create a professional formulation:

An insecticide to kill cockroaches and other pests on contact
A synergist to magnify the effect of the insecticide so it works even at very low levels
An insect growth regulator that breaks the breeding cycle and prevent pest outbreaks for many months

How long do cockroach bombs take to work?

Cockroach bombs start to work instantly and many pests in the room will already be dead by the time you re-enter the room. The residual insecticide will continue to kill any new insects that venture into the room.

How long do cockroach bombs last?

Cockroach bombs can keep killing cockroaches for several months (3-6 months). However, it will continue to kill a wide range of insects, sometimes for even longer.

Are cockroach bombs safe?

Yes, cockroach bombs are safe, as long as you read the label and follow all the safety directions. It is especially important that all sources of ignition are turned off in rooms to be treated and no-one should be in the room during treatment or for 2 hours after treatment. See the Pro-Fogger page for more safety tips.

Cockroach Spray

A cockroach spray is a must in any Australia kitchen cupboard! But to get the best performance it’s important to know how to use a cockroach spray and how surface sprays work.

PestXpert Pro Spray Crawling aerosol provides a professional formulation and aerosol delivery system to allow easy, accurate application for quick kill and long lasting protection.

Dual insecticide formulation for fast kill and long lasting protection
Extendable nozzle to access cracks and crevices
360 degree valve, so you can spray upside down to get under cupboards and appliances

How long do cockroach sprays take to work?

Individual cockroaches sprayed directly should be dead within minutes. The residual insecticide left on the surface continues to kill insects, but this take a bit longer to act – insects crawling across the surface need to pick up a lethal dose and as it is dry, it take a bit longer to penetrate the insects cuticle.

How long do cockroach sprays last?

The duration of protection depends on the formulation, the type of surface it is sprayed on, the temperature and the amount of sunlight it gets. PestXpert Pro-Crawling lasts for at least 3 months under the toughest conditions but will last considerable longer on surfaces and under conditions which are less aggressive.

Cockroach Traps

Cockroach traps are sticky glue traps that are used for monitoring cockroach problems. Although they can certainly catch a lot of cockroaches (especially during a cockroach infestation), they will not control the problem.

Which Products to Apply When?

Infestations

Cockroach baits are often the best option for eliminating cockroach infestations, especially of German cockroaches (the ‘small ones’) which live inside. Indeed German cockroaches are one of the most difficult pests to control (even for professionals), so you need to know how to get rid of small cockroaches.

If you have a cockroach infestation, using a cockroach / flea total release aerosol (also called a fogger or “bomb”) is also a good option for getting numbers under control quickly and to also provide residual control. You will need one aerosol for each room. The treatment may need to be supplemented by an insecticide spray to get into some cracks / crevices / cupboards where the fogger may not have reached.

Prevention

A crawling insect aerosol or ready-to-use pump spray are the best options for a preventative measure, particularly if you are trying to get rid of large cockroaches which live outside and find their way inside. Spraying insecticide around the perimeter of rooms, in cupboards and other insect hiding places, as well as spraying the outside perimeter of the home, garbage bins and sub-floor areas, will keep the cockroaches out of the house, preventing a potential pest outbreak. These treatments may need to be repeated more than once a year.

Direct spray

Crawling insect aerosols are the best product to kill any cockroach you see. These are designed to coat the insect with insecticide providing rapid knock down and kill. Flying insect aerosols will work but are not designed for crawling insects and so take a lot longer to work.

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PestXpert Products For Cockroaches

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FAQs about Cockroach Control

How to get rid of German cockroaches?

German cockroaches only live indoors, primarily around kitchens, unless you have a major infestation. Due to their small size, they can hide in the smallest of cracks and crevices. The use of cockroach baits, especially gel baits, is the best product to target German cockroaches. Learn how to use cockroach bait to get rid of German cockroaches.

How to get rid of cockroaches in the kitchen?

Cockroaches tend to congregate in the kitchen as there is plenty of food and water. They will typically hide behind and under cupboards and appliances. If you have a German cockroach infestation, they can get into all manner of small cracks and crevices including inside appliances, inside dishwasher control panels and around door hinges. It’s not appropriate to spray in a lot of these places as they are food preparation surfaces. The use of cockroach gel baits is the best option. Learn how to use cockroach bait to get rid of cockroaches in kitchens.

What attracts cockroaches?

Cockroaches will almost each anything, not just food but also paper and even clothes, so, garbage is a smorgasboard for cockroaches! However, they are particularly attracted to oily, fatty residues, so deposits around cookers and grills are very attractive. This is why regular cleaning in the kitchen and a good hygiene regime for garbage can really help to prevent cockroach problems.

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How to Control Cockroaches
– Baits, Sprays, Gels & more

Signs of a Cockroach Infestation

Cockroach droppings