Cockroaches, Cockroaches Everywhere at Night

Hey guys,

I live in a unit with two entry points that cockroaches may come in: the front door and from the balcony. Since summer started or even coming up to summer, our unit been gradually increasing in cockroaches every night.

It went from 1 or 2 seeing them at night, then now its prob now up to 10 per night I see when I go for my midnight snack and turn the light on.

Last november I purchased those insect, cockroach spray protect barriers and pretty much sprayed my front door and all of my balcony, my balcony door as well. I did this every 2 weeks even though the spray said protection up to 6 months, but they keep coming!

My housemate and I did a full spring clean of our unit, behind the fridge, desks etc…. we felt really good! We cleaned the oven, took out the dishwasher etc…..

We also sprayed inside our unit with the protection spray, behind the fridge, behind the dishwasher, entry of the balcony, behind the couch, tv etc……

Also our unit manager sent us an email of the building fully being pest sprayed in Dec but in our unit, it seems to be worse.

I honestly believe we are not dirty people, we put our dishes in the dishwasher after we eat, kitchen is clean, we don't leave food out. There's something triggering these cockroaches.

Also more tiny cockroaches appearing, so they are breeding in our unit?

The type of cockroaches are not the big ones, more so medium to tiny, I think it's the German Cockroach?

Any tips on how to reduce or get rid of these?

Comments

  • +5

    Last time it happens to me similar infestation, roach traps with baits works very effectively.

    • +1

      Thanks!

      I saw these at bunnings: https://www.bunnings.com.au/the-buzz-roach-max-cockroach-tra…

      Sticky traps, my mate had a Chinese version where it had bait in the middle and it caught so many cockroaches! I will get this and place it around the cockroaches seems to dwell

      • +1

        I used the Japanese one - it looks like a small house with glue as house floor and bait in centre. Very effective. If you cannot get these just buy anything similar. Buy this immediately as they will surely reduce the infestation. Almost no need for sprays. The traps get the roaches stuck in the traps - more effective than try to spray some of them while hundreds still behind the wall.

      • +2
        • I used the same as justintheasian and seems to have worked really well. I followed the instructions pretty closely as to where to place the baits.

          The reason I saw these as the best solution is roaches go through them and pick up the toxins, then carry them back to the nest and theoretically kill the whole nest.

          I will say though, we've only had the larger roaches (Australian Cockroaches) not the little roaches (German Cockroaches) which from my understanding are much tougher to deal with.

          Best of luck!!

    • We just spray cockroach spray on all the corners and the entrances. This kills them all, they seem to love hiding along the walls & corners of walls.

      Also, it's important not to leave food scraps lying around with an open bin so they have no reason to come in at all.

  • +12

    Coming up through the drains maybe ? We had an issue with small cockroach (not the standard one) where we suspected it was coming up through the drain in centre of the bathroom.

    • Oh thank you! Didn't think of the drains, how do you think it's best to treat the drains? Maybe there's a drain formula that may coat the pipes?

      • +1

        when we had a housemate, she proposed a trial where she just taped up the drain hole.
        she was convinced that stopped them ..but idk theres other drains eg in the shower itself, bathtub.
        Maybe not the vanity because there is an s-bend involved :/

      • +16

        All drains should have an S bend to keep a water barrier otherwise your pipes would stink like a sewer, so they shouldnt get through a drain unless its one that never gets used and has dried out.

        • +2

          Floor drains don't have an S bend.

        • Does roach swims ?

          • +1

            @dcep: Many times I've seen cockroaches come up out of drains and toilets. In fact where I'm renting right now, I only use the shower, and have to leave the plug in the bathtub drain to stop them coming up that way.

          • @dcep: Nah, Tony played tennis.

        • I have a spare bathroom/toilet that never gets used, apart from taping up all the drains there is there anything I can do? Should I inform council if its their responsibility if roaches are coming from the sewerage pipes? The few roaches always seem to be found near the unused bathroom, not the kitchen where food is.

    • +4

      We had this too. My son was looking down the drain with a concerned look on his face. I grabbed a torch and looked down it.

      I cannot unsee what I saw. Horrifying.

    • It could have just been hiding there near the water then coming up when it wanted something.

      I doubt it made its way from the sewer or another apartment. The force of water going through the pipes would be too strong. Cockroaches float. Rats can come up pipes though.

    • I have a spare bathroom/toilet that never gets used, apart from taping up all the drains there is there anything I can do? Should I inform council if its their responsibility if roaches are coming from the sewerage pipes? The few roaches always seem to be found near the unused bathroom, not the kitchen where food is.

  • I use Coles Multipurpose insect spray, but Raid is also good. Twice a week spray in the cabinet and crevices where possible hiding spot.

    • Twice a week, right, I'll be more constant with my spray since I am doing it every 2 weeks.

      • twice a week only because you have infestation. Once you got it under control, even once a month will do. Remember those roaches' single egg produces around 50 hatchlings.

        If all else fails, call those Chinese Cockroaches breeders, they'll be happy to take those out of your hands! hahaha.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJZBpzgFCe8

      • If you need to spray that regularly you may want to get the cheaper sprays from Bunnings instead of Mortiens, they work just as well

    • +1

      The aldi barrier one is good. Spray your skirting boards and cornice as well any area you don't touch frequently. The little roach bait houses from woollies are good too.

  • +1

    is there a food estblishment in your building

    • +1

      Nah, all residential and even surrounding buildings, all residential.

      • Roaches are pretty adventurous bugs. Even if you have a spotless unit, if a neighbour who lives a couple levels from you is dirty… their pests will eventually come knocking on your door.

        The solution is to keep your house tidy, minimal trash/food, do pest controls, then put baits and traps to keep their levels low.

        Also keep in mind, their natural habitat is in the garden, so after a rain event, they will seek shelter even with the above controls in place.

        edit: you could also have something that eats them. I have gekkos they're awesome, who eat the small roaches, but not the big ones.

        • +1

          This, I had this problem and tried everything. All apartment clean and lots of traps, poisons and nothing worked. You dont know how clean are the neighbours.

          Old apartments and they share some vents. Now in a house, never had that problem.

          I use this all around the house and has worked.
          https://www.bigw.com.au/product/mortein-professional-outdoor…

  • +9

    Their entry point must not (only) be the door and balcony. When you spot one, watch which direction they run. That will point you to their entry point. Plug crevices and small holes with steel wool. Spray the 6 month protection around their entry point.

    The cockroaches might be running away from your neighbours to yours as your neighbour might have pest sprayed theirs.

    German cockroaches are the worst. Good luck.

    • Thanks for the tip!

      Def will keep an eye out

  • The humidity isn’t helping. They are always present however. Is your aircon old? We got a new aircon as the old one was stuffed and leaking, when it came off the wall it turned out they were living and breeding and pooping and dying in it

  • +22

    Your standard insect sprays won't work for German Cockroaches. Few years ago when we lived in an old unit we used to have the same issues, the only thing that worked was the advion gel - it's expensive but it acutally works and usually 1 syringe would do the job. Friends who tried it were also really happy.

    I have also seen people sell it on marketplace but below is the ebay link.

    https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p238005…

    • +15

      Your standard insect sprays won't work for German Cockroaches.

      Have you tried the sprays from Aldi? ;)

    • +3

      Can confirm. Advion is the go.

      • +3

        Just bought some Yate Cockroach gel bait from bunnings.

        • +5

          I second the Yates gel: https://www.bunnings.com.au/yates-10g-home-pest-cockroach-ki… we have not seen cockroaches for 10 months now.

          • +1

            @misu p: I would try this before using Advion. Half the price with the same active ingredient.

          • @misu p: I third the Yates gel

        • +1

          I have used the Yates barrier defense and it worked really well. I wonder if its the same active ingredient.

        • +1

          How did you apply it?

          • +1

            @1Kenobi: What I do first find the source or where the cockroach from and spray the bastard to Kingdom come and than use the gel bait on certain part of the area where you see the cockroaches, place like cracks and underneath the sink. Don't need to put too much just a drop but spread it around. HIH.

    • +1

      Supposedly you need a license to use the stuff and they aren't supposed to sell it to you if you aren't licensed. Our regular pest control guy said something along those lines anyway. When I told him how much we paid for it he was surprised it was so cheap. I don't remember how much we paid for ours as it was a long long time ago. Out of the 4 tubes we still have 2 unopened. Still works I think. Works wonders for ants still at least.

      • +2

        In my experience tradies will tell you that to justify charging higher prices for jobs. I had a plumber rip me off to unblock a toilet saying the acid he used requires a license to buy, and that you're paying for their license not just the product. If you know what products to buy and do your research (safety first) you don't need to pay a professional

        • +1

          We have a good relationship with our pest guy. We've known him a long time. He just said his bit and said it was a good price. He didn't tell us not to use it. I think he even told us how to use it and that it was good for ants too.

    • +1

      Yes, this is the answer! I got this tip from a Ozbargain post about 2 years ago. Bought the advion gel off ebay and it is fantastic. Have only used half of it of it and it lasts for a long time.

      • Is it safe for pets? I have a cat, I'm worried she is going to eat dead cockroaches

        • I'm not too worried about the cats eating these bait roaches, but cats like to crawl into unexpected places, like under my sofa and behind the oven. Cat hair may come into contact with insecticides and be licked by the cat.

          • @RickyMoon: Ive bought it and applied it in some places that my cat couldn't reach, I also blocked the kitchen during the night(min 8 hours after application). There are still many cockroaches around the living room though..they are so annoying and disgusting

            • @ivyholmes: I don't think gel like that works effectively. Traps will be the ultimate way - the roaches glued themselves inside the traps then you thrown them away after few months.

              • @foxmulder: I’m worried about infestation though! But definitely will reapply the gel every where

      • Where did you apply it?

    • I just tested my Coles spray on a couple of cockroaches trying to get in the front door, a couple of minutes, dead.

    • +2

      Advion works extremely well. Usually buy a 4 pack which lasts up to five years. Half a tube ~$12.50 every 6 months and it prevents any roaches from appearing.

    • +3

      I've used Advion to great success before (house I moved into was inhabited by absolutely filthy people - now not a single roach in years), but I've been told that you need to switch the gel types up annually or you will breed resistant roaches. See here: https://www.domyown.com/do-cockroaches-become-resistant-to-a….

      I'm currently using their other brand Optigard: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B074W82TL6/ref=ppx_yo_d…

      One other thing - many Australian homes are built with gaps leading to the outside because of lazy builders. Think under window sills, where floors meet walls, behind kitchen cabinets… you need to seal as much of this up as you can or roaches and other insects will use these as entrypoints.

  • +1

    Get some of these when they’re half price in Colesworth and out them at the entry points and places they like to frequent, e.g. under fridge, oven, toilet etc.

    I haven’t seen a cockroach since using them.

  • +11

    I had a cockroach infestation at my house and went through the process of googling solutions.
    The cockroach baits from Bunnings/Coles no longer work as many populations have evolved off these (no longer seek out sugar).

    What worked without fail was
    1/2 cup boric acid/borax
    4 egg yolks
    1/2 cup sugar.
    As this had both protein, sugar and poison.

    Combine and place out on multiple old lids around the house.
    You'll initially see an increase but after 2 weeks the entire infestation was dead. Just get used to finding dead cockroaches around the house for a while and getting the vacuum cleaner out. Once you've taken out one generation you'll generally get 1 - 2 years before the population can start to recover.

  • I use the two litre sprays from Woolies. Works well for me. I spray the front and back of the house.
    I find they used to enter through my garage door, so I keep doing it every six months and especially before Summer.
    Are you bringing your rubbish out of the house each night?
    Move bins and rubbish away from the house?

  • If the pest spray wasn't inside your unit I'd consider organising that. Else look for some of the products professionals use: temprid, cockroach gel etc. We've had problems in the past and majority of products from colesworth/bunnings aren't that effective for a larger infestation. A proper spray will result in you seeing dead cockroaches for literally months on end (and no live ones!)

  • +10

    I had some Cockroaches once, and they became 'The Wiggles'

    • The kind that are truly persistent, pervasive, and strangely perverse at the same time. Euwww

  • +1

    two entry points that cockroaches may come in

    No there’s not.

    • Key word is "may", I didn't say it was those two entry points

      • No, Your key word was two. Cockroaches aren’t very big, they don’t need to use a door plus the can climb walls too.

        Do you have windows? Exhaust fans? AC split system? Any plumbing or wiring that isn’t completely sealed at the wall?

        • If the place is brick veneer then there's weep holes at the bottom of the walls that roaches can enter via.

          OP's roaches are likely residents, not imports. Consider bombing the place (with a insecticide bomb, not exploisives)

  • +1

    Use this:

    Talon Roach Bait.

    Coles is the cheapest supplier at present. $7.40.

    https://shop.coles.com.au/a/national/product/selleys-talon-c…

    This summer season, I have only seen 2 roaches this year.

    That is significantly less than in previous years.

  • +2

    Cockroaches…..I so miss living in Sydney

    • +7

      It's the best!

      Why pay 2500 p/m in rent when the banks reject me for a mortgage at 1100 p/m. YAY LOGIC…. sorry I have side issues.

  • Try sealing the bottom of your door with https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/403933512834

    • I have this!

      But unfortunately, my front door is not on a flat surface, it has a little slope in our unit and every time it closes, it gets stuck :(

      • +3

        You need this instead.

        Edit: either brush type or rubber strip type.

  • +1

    Also depends on your area. When I lived in eastern suburbs they were everywhere. I remember walking down the street at night and seeing masses of the buggers running around. Tried everything in our apartment and had no luck in getting rid of them.

    I now live in the outer suburbs in a stand alone house and the most effective way I have found to keep them away is (all gear from Bunnings):
    -PestXpert fogger under the house (crawl space)
    -2 x PestXpert fogger in the ceiling cavity space
    -PestXpert indoor/outdoor pro spray around all entry points around the outside of the house

    PestXpert brand seems to work best for me as opposed to anything at Woolies or Coles

  • +1

    jars with some aromatic sticky food stuff in the bottom make good roach traps. them climb in and can't get out

    • Like Beer Bottles, if you can spare the 10c.

  • +1

    Welcome to Australia!

    • +1

      FYI - Nobody has died from a Cockroach bite in Australia.

      • +1

        Nobody as far as we know has died from a cockroach bite in Australia - FTFY

        • +2

          Thank you. :)

          ChatGPT Response

          As far as I know, there have been no documented cases of deaths caused by cockroach bites in Australia. Cockroaches are generally not considered to be dangerous to humans, although they can trigger allergies and asthma in some people.

          However, it's important to note that cockroaches can spread diseases by contaminating food and surfaces with their feces, which can lead to illnesses such as salmonellosis and gastroenteritis. Additionally, some species of cockroaches, such as the Australian native "hissing cockroach," have strong mandibles that can deliver painful bites, although these bites are not considered medically significant.

          Overall, while cockroaches can be a nuisance and potential health hazard, deaths from their bites are extremely rare, if they occur at all.

          • +1

            @BewareOfThe Dog: It seems ChatGPT hasn’t seen the 1987 R-rated horror movie/documentary, The Nest.

            • @Ozpit: LOL.

              But that's set in the USA?

              • @BewareOfThe Dog: Nevertheless, a great plot and excellent acting. Dunno why it didn’t win any Oscars, not even a mention. Highly recommended even if just to see the killer human-cockroach hybrids (ChatGPT take note). And, oh my goodness, the movie poster truly has to be the most titillating I’ve ever seen. Five stars.

                • @Ozpit: The Oscars don't recognise so many Fantasticperformances. I am Still perplexed how Arnold Schwarnegger never even got a Nomination for Commando (It should have at least had a nomination for Special Effects + Sountrack), let alone Jingle all the Way. This goes all the way back to Plan 9 from Outer Space, which I see has been redone in Colour on Amazon Prime.

        • Or they never found the bodies of those that died from cockroach bites.

  • +1

    I suspect ours are coming through the bathroom / toilet duct as this leads directly to the outside of the building… That could be another point where they are coming from?

  • +1

    There’s obviously a nest inside your house if there are that many. Don’t muck about with consumer grade pest control. Call a professional, it’s not that expensive.

  • Update guys,

    I just went out and purchased more spray, I got the sticky trap and PestXpert products from bunnings to lay out at night and purchased the flat attraction trap to place under my fridge and hidden spots.

    Thanks for the suggestions, I have also sprayed all my drains which doesn't have constant water flow such as sink, bathroom sink etc….. such as bathroom middle drain, laundry drain, bathtub drain as we don't use the bathtub.

    I think this will keep me busy for me and see how it turns out!

    • +1

      Best of luck OP.

      I also had luck with leaving a few beer bottles outside, with some beer still in it. They drown (or die from Alcohol poisoning)

      • Oh yes, I'll def. do this, I don't drink beer but any beer will do?

        • Yes. Cider should attract them as well.

          We have cats as well, and unfortunately the food attracts Pests like Cockroaches and Ants. Plus is, the cats have fun catching the cockroaches.

    • +1

      Buy a sprayer and the Bayer product below for use. Far better than the can consumer grade stuff:

      https://www.bunnings.com.au/bayer-25g-coopex-insecticide-sac…

  • +9

    If you have German roaches breeding indoors you need to break the cycle.
    Baits like Goliath are effective. Try not to overfeed/bait or they lose interest and won't take the bait back to the nest.
    Any non baited sticky traps help control the visible ones..but odds are there's literally thousands in the nest.

    Seriously consider professional pest control for an initial treatment then follow up within the next 7 days.

    • +3

      Agreed with this. German cockroaches are the absolute wors (why I try to avoid cardboard boxes also from supermarkets/shops, etc.).

      From experience (as a university student back in the day) - summer is the absolute worst for German cockroaches. For every 1 you see, there are probably about 10+ hiding somewhere and they are in every nook and cranny, etc. which you definitely won't be able to get to. Being a povo uni student (with other povo room mate uni students), we noticed the pest control bombing works (cannot remember which brand) with hundreds/thousands killed, but then you realise that in a few weeks they start popping up again (as it doesn't kill all the eggs). As mentioned, you need to break the cycle and what we did was we bombed it like 3 times in a row, i.e. first bomb to kill all the live ones - next one to kill the hatchlings (read up the lifecycle of german roaches to get timing right). After 2nd one we noticed there weren't any but for good measure and just in case we did it again. Cannot remember if it was a week between each one but you should look it up. Make sure you follow instructions/precautions (we all left each time we roach bombed the place).

      • +4

        German cockroaches are the absolute wors

        I think you mean, "German cockroaches are the absolute wurst"

  • +1

    A good long term approach is to find the food and water sources.

    As they can't grow (certainly never to plague levels) without sustenance.

    Often, these spaces involve a poorly vented subterranean space, usually gaps under concrete or sub-floor areas. Over time the spiders take over these spaces and eat the roaches, but a pest person will kill them off and the roaches will come back a season or three quicker than any spiders.

    I've put drainage in, unblocked drains, enabled run off from high areas to stop water going under buildings several times to great effect. Bonus also is this stops mould, mud and damp smells after rain too.

  • +1

    What do you do when you see one? Nothing?

    Most end up dead when I see one unless they get into a crevasse I can't reach, but will still get most when they come out again later. A thong, plastic bag (2nd use), is your best friend, depending where they are.

  • +5

    Advion was the only thing that worked for me and I tried everything! It was scarily effective and permanent.

  • Roach Bombs, then go out for whatever hours the instructions say. Just make sure you turn the power of at the box.

    https://shop.coles.com.au/a/national/product/coles-insect-co…

  • it sounds like rental - own old /broken furniture , mixed drain , old carpet, bad lighting , lost of moiture
    find out if those old furniture made out of bad wood or cheap cardboard things
    try treating german cockroaches as they are worst, even pesties can't gurantee it
    complain to landloard or local council.

  • +3

    Check on your neighbours to make sure they're still alive

    • Check out the above from @Ozpit. ;)

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