Crawling pests
Cockroaches
Large dark brown
- Stay away
- 3–4 hours
- Don't wipe or clean
- 7 days
- More activity for
- Up to 4 weeks
No entry until it's dry. Drying takes 3–4 hours or longer, so don't go back into a treated area until it's dry, even if the time on this page has passed.
Get your home ready
Before we arrive
What we do on the day
- We treat the full way around the outside of the building.
- The roof space is treated from the manhole with a blower that reaches a long way, so on most homes nobody needs to climb in.
- The subfloor is treated through the vents and weep holes, and a little from the subfloor door.
- Inside, we treat along the skirting boards only. We don't move your belongings.
- Whether the fence line is included depends on your booking. Ask us if you're not sure.
- If you have a fish tank, it gets covered and the pump switched off while we treat.
After treatment
- Stay away from treated areas for 3–4 hours
- Do not wipe or clean treated surfaces for 7 days
- Expect increased pest activity for up to 4 weeks
Common questions
Why am I still seeing cockroaches after treatment?
Cockroaches will continue to emerge from hiding until they contact the treatment.
When can people and pets go back in?
Stay away from treated areas for 3 to 4 hours, and until it's dry. If you have a question about children, pets or health, call us and a technician will talk it through.
What areas are treated?
External perimeter, roof void (if accessible), subfloor and internal areas if included.
Are the small brown ones in my kitchen German cockroaches?
Probably. German cockroaches are small and light brown and live in kitchens and bathrooms. They need a different treatment, inside the cupboards, so see the German cockroaches guide. Big dark ones get this treatment.
Do you go into my roof?
We treat the roof space from the manhole with a blower that reaches a long way, so on most homes nobody needs to climb in.
Do cockroaches spread germs?
They're believed to carry germs such as salmonella onto food, and they've been linked to allergies. Keeping food sealed and benches clean helps.
Signs you've got cockroaches
- Seeing them: fast, shiny, black or brown insects, most often in the kitchen and other food areas.
- Droppings around food, in kitchen cupboards and in the places they hide.
- Egg cases: small capsules the females carry for a while and then leave behind.
- Small light brown ones in the kitchen are usually German cockroaches, which need their own treatment. See the German cockroaches guide.
Where cockroaches hide, and what draws them in
Where they hide
- Kitchens and food areas: in cupboards, the pantry and behind the fridge.
- Under the sink and around the hot water service.
- Cracks in walls, and under stacks of paper, magazines or cardboard boxes.
- Drains, grease traps and the garden.
What draws them in
- Food: spills, crumbs, rubbish and pet food left in the bowl.
- Water: a dripping tap or a leak. They need a steady supply to survive.
- Warm, damp spots and clutter that stays undisturbed.
- Sewers and rubbish nearby, from where they can carry germs inside.
Keep them away
- Keep kitchen and food preparation areas clean
- Reduce clutter around the home exterior
- Keep bins sealed
What happens next
Booking the treatment
A house spray covers the large dark brown ones along with the other crawlers coming in from outside.
Still have a question?
Call us and we'll help. If you're still seeing activity after the times on this page, let us know.