There are around 4,000 species of cockroaches worldwide and about 450 species in Australia, but very few are pests10 . The three main types of cockroaches commonly found in homes and businesses in Australia include the German cockroach, Australian cockroach and American cockroach11 . Cockroaches belong to the insect order Blattodea. The high pest status of cockroaches is largely attributed to their wide distribution, close association with humans and potential to carry disease. The faeces of some species of cockroach contain a pheromone. These cockroaches press or smear their faeces onto surfaces to mark feeding and aggregation sites. Conditions that favour cockroach infestations are those that provide abundant food, water and shelter. Cockroaches eat virtually any animal or vegetable material, including paper, fabric, leather, starches and grease particles. Cockroaches are generally nocturnal. Any active cockroaches observed during the day are often indicative of a large infestation. Cockroaches are gregarious (they congregate together), and frequently groom themselves. This behaviour is exploited by pesticides such as dusts that come in contact with the feet or body of the cockroach and are ingested during grooming.
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