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How to Keep Cockroaches Away
Practical steps to keep cockroaches away from your property
Common Cockroach Species
There are over 4,000 different species of cockroaches, which only about 40 species are considered pests while others are beneficial in their natural environment.
In Brunei, German cockroach and American cockroach are commonly found. Knowing more about cockroach life cycle and habits can help us identify the most effective cockroach control methods.
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American Cockroach
(Periplaneta americana)
The American cockroach is one of the largest pest cockroaches to invade homes and commercial properties.
Appearance
- 35 - 40mm long.
- Shining red–brown in color.
- Wings longer than the body in male; only just overlap abdomen in female.
- Runs (may fly at very high temperatures).
Lifecycle
- The ootheca (egg case) containing up to 16 eggs is carried by the female for several days before being deposited. Sometimes cemented down and tend to be grouped.
- Hatch in 1 – 2 months.
- Nymphs usually develop in 6 -12 months, but it can take up to 15 months.
Habits
- Also known as the ‘Palmetto bug’ because they live on trees, the American cockroach prefers dark, humid and undisturbed areas and can be found in subfloors, basements, kitchens, roof voids and bathrooms of homes.
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German Cockroach
(Blatella germanica)
Appearance
- Notorious for their world-wide distribution, German cockroaches are easily identifiable by 2 dark longitudinal stripes on their pronotum. Adults grow to approximately 12 – 15mm in length.
Lifecycle
- Females carry 35 – 40 eggs in an ootheca (egg case) until they are ready to hatch.
- Hatch in 1 month.
- Nymphs take between 6 weeks to 6 months to develop into adults.
- Generally 3-4 generations per year.
Habits
- Most commonly found indoors.
- Prefers wet, humid conditions and are typically found in kitchens and bathrooms in homes and commercial properties.
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Australian Cockroach
(Periplaneta australasiae)
Lifecycle
- Females deposit the ootheca (egg case) containing 24 eggs a day after production.
- After hatching nymphs take 6-12 months to develop into adults.
Habits
- Enter buildings at night from gardens/debris.
- Generally prevalent in areas where winters are relatively mild.
- Despite its name, it isn’t a native species.
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Brown Banded Cockroach
(Supella longipalpa)
Appearance
- One of the smallest pest cockroaches, brown banded adult cockroaches are approximately 10 – 15mm in length and characterised by yellow-brown stripes across their abdomen.
Habits
- Brown banded cockroaches mostly stay on ground, but may fly in very warm climates. Their preference for warm, humid environments leads them to harbourages within heated buildings - ceilings, attics, inside and around appliance motors. Primarily active at night, these opportunistic feeders particularly enjoy materials with high starch contents.