Cockroach Control

Your Cockroach Control Specialist

Cockroaches have been around since the time of the dinosaurs — tough, resilient, and almost indestructible. In Australia alone, there are over 500 cockroach species, but only a handful are household pests that invade kitchens, bathrooms, and roof voids. These pests thrive in our warm, humid climate, spreading quickly, contaminating food preparation areas, and often requiring professional cockroach control to remove them completely.

At Pest Ex, we’ve built our reputation on helping families and businesses stay cockroach-free. Our licensed cockroach control specialists use safe, targeted treatments that not only eliminate existing infestations but also prevent them from returning.

With more than 7,000 properties serviced across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Pest Ex delivers proven solutions backed by a service warranty. Protecting your home or workplace from cockroaches has never been easier or more reliable.

Identifying Cockroaches in Your Home

Not all cockroaches are the same, and the right treatment depends on the species invading your property. Identifying them correctly is the first step to effective cockroach control.

• German Cockroach – Small, light brown, and fast-breeding. Often found in kitchens, bathrooms, and restaurants. A single infestation can spread through entire buildings if not treated quickly.

• Australian Cockroach – Larger, reddish-brown with yellow markings. Common in warm, humid months and usually enter from outdoors into sheds, roof voids, or subfloors.

• American Cockroach – One of the biggest species (up to 50mm). Prefers drains, sewers, and dark subfloor areas. Known for carrying bacteria that can contaminate food surfaces.

• Smoky Brown Cockroach – Dark brown to black and attracted to lights. Usually lives outdoors but often makes its way inside at night in search of food.

Knowing which species is present allows Pest Ex to tailor the right treatment for fast and lasting results.

Cockroach Appearance

They have oval shaped bodies and their bodies are oily to the touch. Their colour is mostly brown to dark reddish with a small head covered by a pronotum. They have six long spiky legs that allow them to run at any surface. They have wings flattened across their back with two long antennae. Male cockroach is usually smaller than the females.

Cockroach Behavior, Diet & Habits

Cockroach is quite an adaptable insect in their environment but mostly prefer to live in warm conditions. Mostly active during the night foraging for food and water, they can be found in bathrooms, kitchen sinks if there is left over food left unkept, kitchen cupboards and in some areas around the home where there is access to food and water. Because of their flattened shaped bodies, they are able to easily transfer from one unit to another through the shared plumbing pipes. Cockroach communicates with other cockroach by leaving chemical trails in their feces. In a home when a large number of cockroaches are present it can be noticed through the mild musky odor in the area and cockroach dropping is also found in areas like the drawers and countertops, sometimes inside cupboards. Cockroach fecal staining is also commonly found. They feed on almost any food they find but is not limited to bookbinding and soap.

Cockroach Infestations

Cockroach infestations are more common than many Queensland households realise. These pests are nocturnal, so seeing even one during the day can indicate a large hidden population behind walls, under appliances, or in roof voids. They reproduce quickly, with some species laying dozens of eggs at a time, which means small problems can become major infestations in just a few weeks.

Common Signs of a Cockroach Infestation

• Droppings – Small, dark droppings that resemble ground coffee or pepper.

• Smear marks – Brown streaks or marks along skirting boards, walls, and tiles.

• Unpleasant odour – A strong, musty smell caused by cockroach secretions.

• Egg casings (oothecae) – Brown, capsule-like shells often found in cupboards or under sinks.

• Shed skins – Cockroaches shed multiple times as they grow, leaving behind fragile skins.

• Nocturnal activity – Seeing cockroaches scatter when lights are turned on at night.

• Damage to food packaging – Bite marks or small holes in cardboard and plastic wrappers.

If any of these warning signs appear, professional cockroach control should be arranged immediately to stop the spread.

Pest Ex Cockroach Control Treatment Process

At Pest Ex, we know that effective cockroach control takes more than a quick spray. That’s why our licensed technicians begin with a thorough inspection to identify the species, locate nesting sites, and assess the scale of the infestation. Once we understand the problem, we apply a combination of professional-grade gels, residual sprays, dusting powders, and insect growth regulators. These treatments are highly effective but low in toxicity, making them safe for both families and pets. Alongside chemical solutions, we also use non-chemical methods such as traps, sealing entry points, and providing expert advice on hygiene and sanitation practices to prevent cockroaches from coming back.

Every property is different, which is why we develop a tailored treatment plan that reflects the cockroach species present and the extent of the infestation. Some species, like German cockroaches, breed so quickly that multiple visits may be required to fully disrupt their life cycle. That’s why Pest Ex not only focuses on eliminating current infestations but also on long-term protection through follow-up inspections and preventative treatments. With our proven approach, backed by a service warranty, you can be confident that your home or business will stay cockroach-free.

Got a Cockroach Problem? Contact Us Today

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