Preventing Cockroach Infestations During the Warmer Months in Australia

Each year when the temperatures rise across Australia, so too does the prevalence of notorious pests, including cockroaches. These resilient insects are notorious for invading our homes and breeding rapidly, particularly during the summer.

Not only are they unsightly, but cockroaches also carry diseases and allergens, so keeping them at bay is essential. They typically find their way into homes through drains, cracks and crevices but you can reduce the likelihood of an infestation through a number of steps. This article outlines when you should watch out for these pests, where they prefer to breed and how you can prevent it all this summer.

Cockroach Season in Australia

The cockroach season in Australia peaks during the spring and summer seasons; in many parts of the country, this period extends from September to April. The warm and humid conditions during these months provide an ideal environment for cockroaches to thrive and become more active. They can multiply rapidly and are constantly searching for food and shelter, often leading them into our homes and resulting in infestations.

How Cockroaches Get In

Cockroaches are incredibly resourceful when it comes to infiltrating homes. They’re attracted to indoor and outdoor food sources and are often found in areas like garbage bins, compost heaps, and sewers.

When it comes to entering your home, they can slip through the tiniest cracks and crevices within the walls, windows and doors. Regularly inspect and seal these entry points to deny them access.

Drains and pipes have always been a common entry point for cockroaches. They crawl through sewage and drain pipes before coming up through the floor and sink drains - by the time they emerge from them, they can be carrying dangerous bacteria and viruses, so it’s important they don’t get any further. Placing drain covers can be an effective deterrent here.

Although less common, cockroaches can hitch a ride in bags, boxes or packages that you bring in from outside. Always check your purchases, especially items that have been stored in warehouses or outdoor locations.

Where do Cockroaches like to Breed?

Cockroach populations expand quickly when they find suitable breathing sites with a female producing about 30 eggs per week. Suitable sites are typically warm, dark and secluded areas such as pantries and behind appliances in the kitchen. There’s an abundance of crumbs and food here so sanitation is vital.

The warm and humid conditions in bathrooms also provide an ideal environment for breeding; you’ll find them in drains, behind toilet fixtures and in cabinets.

Garages and basements which provide darkness and moisture are also favoured by these pests as they provide the right breeding ground but also a hiding place. Make sure you’re regularly checking these areas. If you store pet food, birdseed, trashcans or anything that could be a food source here, make sure it’s kept in an airtight container so that no insects can access it.

Preventing Cockroach Infestations During the Warmer Months

Preventing cockroach infestations during summer requires a combination of strategies, with sanitation being the most critical aspect. Here are some effective measures to keep these pests at bay:

1. Maintain cleanliness:

Sanitation is the best way to keep pests such as cockroaches away. Whether it’s a domestic or commercial space, cleaning regularly and disinfecting areas like the kitchen and bathroom can prevent an infestation. Ensure that food crumbs and spills are promptly cleaned up and that the trash is disposed of properly.

Keep food in airtight containers to deny pests easy access to food sources. This also helps in preventing contamination.

2. Seal cracks and crevices:

Check the outside areas like patios, balconies and drains for possible ports of entry. If you’re operating an office, retail space or warehouse, this can be difficult to manage, so consider getting some help from facility cleaning services.

If you do come across any openings that could be used to enter, seal all cracks, gaps and holes with caulk or weatherstripping. You can also install good quality screens, that have no tears or holes on windows and doors to prevent cockroaches from entering.

3. Regular plumbing maintenance:

Keep drains, pipes, and sewers well-maintained and use covers to block these from becoming access points. General outdoor maintenance is important too; keep them free from debris and rotting vegetation. Any branches and shrubs that touch the building should also be trimmed back as they can provide easy access. Again, there are a number of facility cleaning services that can help with this upkeep.

4. Declutter:

As you remove debris from the garden, also remove it from the indoors. The more items sitting out, the more hiding places there are. Airtight containers will be your friend during cockroach season, so regularly organise and pack away what you don’t need.

5. Inspect and call pest control:

Finally, perform regular inspections and consider hiring a pest control expert if you come across an infestation. Periodically inspecting your home for signs of cockroaches such as droppings or discarded exoskeletons can prevent a small problem from turning into something more serious.

If you have encountered an infestation, you’ll need to call your local pest control company. Hiring professionals is the most effective way to handle this in a manner that will prevent reoccurrence.

However, office, retail and educational spaces should consider employing a commercial cleaning company, particularly during the warmer months, to prevent it from getting to this point.

Infestations can be a nuisance as they can result in an unsightly space, illness and business closure. By understanding when cockroaches are most active in Australia, how they enter our buildings and how we can prevent this, we can avoid these unwelcome guests. Making sanitation a priority, coupled with outdoor maintenance and organisation, you’ll be able to enjoy the summer without the intrusion of these persistent pests.