C01 · Cockroach
German Cockroach
Blattella germanica
Australia's most common indoor cockroach. Fast breeders that spread bacteria in kitchens.
- Size
- 12–15 mm
- Habitat
- Warm, humid — kitchens, bathrooms
- Activity
- Year-round, nocturnal
Overview
Light tan with two dark stripes behind the head. Prefers warm, moist spots near food. A single female can produce 300+ offspring a year, so a small sighting often means a much larger hidden population. They contaminate food and surfaces with droppings and shed skins, and are a known trigger for asthma.
How to identify
- Light brown/tan, 12–15 mm long
- Two parallel dark stripes on the pronotum (behind the head)
- Has wings but rarely flies
- Egg cases (ootheca) carried by the female until just before hatching
Pro Tip
Cockroaches need water more than food. Fix that dripping tap and you've already cut their numbers.
General guidance only. Information on Home Pest Defence is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. For termites, venomous spider bites, wasp nests in walls, or protected wildlife, contact a licensed pest controller, your GP, or the relevant state wildlife authority. In emergencies call 000; for poisoning call 13 11 26.