Cockroaches are the single most common call-out we take across Sydney, and the reason is simple: our warm, humid summers and older brick-and-timber housing stock give them everything they need. Warmth, moisture and a food source inside a wall cavity is a five-star hotel for a roach.
The frustrating part for most people is that supermarket sprays appear to work for a day or two and then the problem comes back worse. This guide explains why that happens and what a proper treatment does differently.
Know which cockroach you're dealing with
Treatment changes completely depending on the species, so identification comes first.
- German cockroach — small (12–15mm), tan, with two dark stripes behind the head. Lives indoors, breeds fast, and is the species behind most kitchen infestations.
- American cockroach — large (35–40mm), reddish-brown, often comes up through drains, grease traps and sewer lines.
- Australian and smokybrown cockroaches — outdoor species that wander in from garden beds, mulch and roof voids, usually after rain or on hot nights.
Why supermarket sprays make it worse
Most retail aerosols are repellent contact killers. They kill the roaches you can see and scatter the rest deeper into wall voids, sub-floors and appliance motors, where they keep breeding.
A single German cockroach egg case holds around 30–40 nymphs, and a female can produce several in her lifetime. Killing the visible adults while leaving the harbourage untouched means you're only removing a fraction of the population.
What a professional treatment actually involves
A proper cockroach job targets the nest rather than the individual insect.
- Inspection of kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, roof voids and sub-floors to find harbourage points.
- Non-repellent gel baits applied into hinges, cracks and cavities — roaches feed and carry the active back to the colony.
- Insect growth regulator (IGR) to stop nymphs reaching breeding age and break the cycle.
- Residual treatment of entry points, weep holes and external perimeters for outdoor species.
Keeping them out afterwards
Chemistry does the heavy lifting, but a few habits keep the property clear long term.
- Fix leaking taps and clear condensation — roaches need water more urgently than food.
- Store dry goods and pet food in sealed containers, and empty bins nightly during summer.
- Seal gaps around pipe penetrations under sinks and behind the dishwasher.
- Keep mulch, firewood and pot plants away from the external walls of the house.
Want it handled properly?
Licensed and insured, same-day across Sydney, backed by a 30-day free call back.
Common questions
How long does it take to get rid of cockroaches?+
You will usually see dead cockroaches within 24–48 hours. A German cockroach colony takes 7–14 days to fully collapse as the bait spreads through the nest, which is why we include a 30-day free call-back.
Is cockroach treatment safe around kids and pets?+
Yes. We use low-toxicity, targeted gels and residuals applied into cracks and voids rather than open surfaces. Once dry (usually 1–2 hours) the area is safe to use as normal.
Do I have to empty my kitchen cupboards?+
For a general treatment, no. For a heavy kitchen infestation we may ask you to clear a few key cupboards so we can gel-bait hinges and cracks directly.