How To Get Rid Of Australian Cockroaches
Getting rid of Australian cockroaches (Periplaneta australasiae) on your own requires a thorough, multi-step approach that targets the infestation at its source, reduces conducive conditions, and prevents future problems. These cockroaches are large, fast, and resilient—so complete elimination depends on consistency and detail. Here’s the best way for a home or business owner to get rid of them on their own:
Identify and Locate Infestation Areas
Australian cockroaches prefer warm, humid environments and often live outdoors but will enter buildings in search of food and water. Inside, they hide in basements, crawl spaces, attics, kitchens, bathrooms, and areas with plumbing or stored cardboard. Look for:
Egg cases (oothecae) in cracks or under appliances
Droppings resembling coarse black pepper
Shed skins or live roaches when lights are turned on suddenly
Eliminate Food, Water, and Shelter
Cockroaches thrive on accessible resources. Sanitation is your first line of defense.
Food: Store all pantry items and pet food in sealed containers. Clean up crumbs, grease, and spills immediately.
Water: Fix leaky faucets, pipes, and condensation issues. Empty pet water bowls and mop buckets overnight.
Shelter: Reduce clutter, especially cardboard boxes and stacks of paper. Vacuum behind appliances, under sinks, and along baseboards.
Seal Entry Points
Because Australian cockroaches often invade from outside, exclusion is critical:
Seal cracks around windows, doors, vents, and utility lines with silicone or weatherproof caulk.
Install door sweeps and repair torn screens.
Trim shrubs, tree branches, and mulch back at least 12–18 inches from the building perimeter to reduce outdoor harborage.
Use Baits and Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs)
Gel baits: Apply high-quality cockroach gel bait (e.g., those containing fipronil, imidacloprid, or indoxacarb) in small pea-sized spots along cracks, crevices, and entry points where roaches are active.
Bait stations: Place along walls, behind appliances, and near moisture sources.
Insect growth regulators: Use IGRs (like hydroprene or pyriproxyfen) in combination with baits to disrupt reproduction and prevent new generations from maturing.
Apply Residual Insecticides Strategically
If the infestation is significant, supplement baiting with a targeted perimeter or indoor treatment:
Use non-repellent residual sprays around entry points, baseboards, and outdoor foundation zones.
Avoid spraying directly over bait placements—this can deter roaches from feeding.
Focus outdoor applications on moist, shaded areas where these cockroaches rest, such as around mulch, garden beds, or leaf litter.
Deploy Traps for Monitoring
Sticky traps are valuable for measuring progress and locating remaining hotspots.
Place traps along walls, behind appliances, and in corners of rooms.
Replace them every few weeks and track capture activity to see where treatment should be intensified.
Maintain an Ongoing Prevention Routine
Once the infestation subsides, preventive maintenance is crucial:
Keep storage areas dry and well-ventilated.
Continue using IGRs and baits periodically as a preventative measure.
Schedule deep cleanings and inspect moisture-prone areas regularly.
If the infestation persists after a few weeks of thorough effort, it likely means cockroaches are harboring in deep structural voids or neighboring areas that are difficult to treat. At that point, calling our licensed pest control professionals is the best step—our professionals have access to advanced formulations, flushing agents, and inspection tools that homeowners cannot legally purchase.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Australian Cockroaches
Our professional pest control is the best way to get rid of Australian cockroaches (Periplaneta australasiae) because these cockroaches are resilient, fast-breeding, and capable of surviving in hidden, hard-to-reach areas that most DIY methods simply can’t penetrate. Our trained pest control experts bring specialized knowledge, advanced tools, and access to professional-grade products that ensure not only quick elimination but also long-term prevention. Here’s why our professional services are the most effective and reliable option:
Expert Identification and Inspection
Australian cockroaches are often mistaken for American cockroaches, yet their habits, preferred hiding places, and treatment approaches differ slightly. Our professionals can accurately identify the species and assess the extent of the infestation. We know how to locate hidden harborages in walls, basements, attics, crawl spaces, and outdoor transition zones—areas homeowners often overlook.
Access to Professional-Grade Products
Our licensed technicians use commercial-strength baits, insect growth regulators (IGRs), and non-repellent residuals that are far more effective than retail products. These formulations:
Eliminate entire colonies, not just visible roaches.
Work through transfer effects, spreading insecticide throughout the population.
Maintain long-lasting protection while remaining safe for occupants and pets when applied correctly.
Targeted, Integrated Treatment Strategy
Our professionals don’t just spray indiscriminately—we develop an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan that combines multiple approaches:
Sanitation and exclusion recommendations to remove food, water, and shelter sources.
Precision baiting and insecticide applications based on the infestation’s severity and location.
Follow-up monitoring and adjustments to ensure ongoing control.
This level of coordination ensures maximum impact with minimal chemical use.
Advanced Tools and Techniques
Our pest control specialists employ equipment that allows them to reach deep voids, crawl spaces, and structural gaps—places where Australian cockroaches often breed. They use:
Flushing agents to expose hidden insects.
HEPA vacuums for removing egg cases and debris.
Inspection cameras and moisture meters to pinpoint conducive conditions.
These tools make treatments more thorough and effective than anything possible through DIY efforts.
Long-Term Prevention and Monitoring
Cockroach problems often return if preventive measures aren’t maintained. Our professionals set up monitoring stations, apply long-term residual barriers, and return for scheduled inspections. We also identify underlying issues—such as leaks, humidity, or poor structural sealing—that may invite future infestations.
Health and Safety Assurance
Australian cockroaches can contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria, allergens, and pathogens. Our professional treatments ensure elimination without compromising health or safety. Our technicians are trained to apply products responsibly, following environmental and regulatory guidelines to protect humans, pets, and property.
Guaranteed Results and Peace of Mind
We provide ongoing maintenance programs with a re-treatment guarantee, meaning we’ll return at no additional cost if the problem persists. This professional accountability provides confidence that the infestation will be resolved fully and permanently.
While DIY methods can provide temporary relief, our professional pest control delivers comprehensive, targeted, and lasting results by eliminating the entire population, addressing the root causes, and preventing future infestations. It’s the most reliable and cost-effective way to protect your home or business from Australian cockroaches for good.