Cockroach
Cockroaches are a common household pest in New Zealand. While they are only a mid-level health risk, cockroaches thrive in unhealthy environments, and they can transmit several diseases.
There are over 3,000 different species of cockroaches – some are considered pests while others are beneficial in their natural environment.
The biggest cockroach pests in New Zealand are the American cockroach and the German cockroach.
Their ability to breed rapidly and their resilience means that a professional pest management service is usually the most reliable form of control. Only expert products and solutions are powerful enough to eliminate all stages of their lifecycle.
Cockroach
Cockroaches are a common household pest in New Zealand. While they are only a mid-level health risk, cockroaches thrive in unhealthy environments, and they can transmit several diseases.
There are over 3,000 different species of cockroaches – some are considered pests while others are beneficial in their natural environment.
The biggest cockroach pests in New Zealand are the American cockroach and the German cockroach.
Their ability to breed rapidly and their resilience means that a professional pest management service is usually the most reliable form of control. Only expert products and solutions are powerful enough to eliminate all stages of their lifecycle.
Where cockroaches live
Cockroaches prefer damp, dark places near food and water, so if you find one during the day, it is a good indication that you have an infestation. They are often found inside walls, behind household appliances and in cupboards. They can survive in extreme conditions for short periods of time.
Cockroaches can survive months without food and up to 4 weeks without water. This makes them exceedingly difficult to get rid of.
While it’s entirely possible for a single cockroach to enter your home unexpectedly, carried in on firewood, for example, the likelihood is that if you spot one in your home, there are others out of sight.
Health risks from cockroaches
Cockroaches can transmit diseases like dysentery, salmonella, and diarrhoea.
Their eating habits also expose humans to dangerous diseases. Cockroaches can eat a range of foods, from faecal matter to fresh food intended for people to eat. If cockroaches contaminate your food or the surfaces you use, you could get sick.
Preventing cockroach infestations
- filling cracks in walls and foundations
- keeping living areas dry and clean
- disposing of rubbish
- removing human waste and food waste from the home quickly and efficiently.
- You can keep cockroach pests out of the house by keeping any shrubs and/or planting away from the house. Native cockroaches often breed in bark gardens.
Cockroach lifecycle
Cockroaches undergo 3 stages of development: egg, nymph, and adult.
The egg hatches into a nymph, which looks like the adult cockroach. The nymph then undergoes a series of moults before developing into a fully reproductive adult cockroach. The length of this process varies and may take anywhere between a few weeks to a year to complete the cycle.
Female cockroaches can lay hundreds of eggs in their lifetime.