"Phil talked me out of a treatment I didn't need and told me how to fix it myself. Guess who I called when the real problem showed up."
Homeowner, Burleigh Heads
★★★★★
"End of lease carpet and flea treatment in one visit. Agent signed off first inspection, full bond back. Easiest part of moving."
Tenant, Varsity Lakes
★★★★★
"Old dog smell we'd given up on is gone. He explained exactly what he was doing and why. Rare honesty."
Family, Helensvale
★★★★★
"Told us upfront which stains would come out and which might not. Everything he said would happen, happened. Refreshing."
Homeowner, Robina
★★★★★
"Punctual, immaculate work, and the carpets dried exactly when he said they would. You get what you pay for."
Owner, Mermaid Waters
★★★★★
"Second property he's treated for us. Communication before arrival is next level for a tradie."
Landlord, Coolangatta
Australian cockroaches are large, around 3cm, reddish brown with pale yellow edges on the wings, and mostly stay outdoors in mulch, roof voids and garden beds, only wandering inside occasionally. German cockroaches are smaller, around 1.5cm, light brown with two dark stripes behind the head, and live indoors in kitchens and bathrooms near food and water. Seeing roaches in the kitchen during the day usually means German cockroaches and an infestation already underway, not just an outdoor visitor.
Written by Phil, CPH Services Gold Coast. Carpet cleaning technician and licensed pest control technician, working Gold Coast properties since 2011. IICRC accredited. Three Best Rated Best Business, 2016 to 2026.
Australian cockroach: the outdoor visitor
Large at around 3cm, reddish brown with distinctive pale yellow margins on the wings just behind the head. They live outdoors in garden mulch, compost, roof voids and under paving, and mostly wander inside by accident, often after rain floods their outdoor harbourage. A single Australian cockroach spotted occasionally is usually manageable and not cause for alarm.
German cockroach: the kitchen infestation
Smaller at around 1.5cm, light brown with two dark parallel stripes running down behind the head. Unlike the Australian cockroach, German cockroaches live and breed indoors, favouring the warmth and moisture of kitchens and bathrooms. They reproduce fast, and because they are naturally nocturnal, seeing them out during the day is a strong sign the population has already grown large.
Why supermarket sprays make German roaches worse
Spraying a visible German cockroach feels productive, but the spray only kills what it directly touches. The rest scatter deeper into wall cavities and appliance gaps, and the egg cases (oothecae), which can hold 30 to 40 eggs each, are unaffected. Gel baits work differently: roaches carry the bait back to the nest and feed others, including future generations, which is why baiting collapses a population that spraying only splits up.
What to do for each
For an occasional Australian cockroach: reduce outdoor harbourage near the house, seal obvious entry gaps, and an outdoor gel bait around the foundation line is usually enough. For German cockroaches indoors: place gel bait stations in kitchen and bathroom cabinets, behind appliances and near pipe penetrations, keep surfaces free of food scraps and standing water, and expect it to take one to two weeks to see results as the colony feeds on the bait.
When DIY will not cut it
Call a professional if you are seeing German cockroaches during the day, if you find egg cases in cupboards or behind appliances, if the infestation spans multiple rooms, or if bait stations have not made a difference within two to three weeks. General pest control covers cockroach treatment. CPH Services Gold Coast does not treat termites, that is a separate licence, and if what you are seeing turns out to be termite activity rather than cockroaches, we will tell you honestly and point you to a termite specialist.
Not sure which one you have? Call 1300 85 48 28 and describe what you are seeing, including size, colour and time of day. We will tell you honestly whether it is DIY-able.
Got questions? Straight answers below. Or skip ahead:
How can I tell German and Australian cockroaches apart quickly?
Size, colour and location. Australian cockroaches are large, around 3cm, reddish brown with pale yellow edges, and mostly stay outdoors. German cockroaches are smaller, around 1.5cm, light brown with two dark stripes behind the head, and live indoors near food and water.
Why do I see cockroaches in daylight?
Cockroaches are naturally nocturnal. Seeing them out during the day usually means the population has grown large enough that weaker individuals are forced out to search for food, which points to an established infestation rather than a single wanderer.
Do supermarket sprays get rid of German cockroaches?
Not reliably. Sprays kill what they directly contact but scatter the rest deeper into wall cavities and do not reach egg cases. Gel baits, which roaches carry back to the nest, are far more effective against an established German cockroach population.
Does general pest control cover cockroaches?
Yes. General pest control covers both German and Australian cockroaches, along with ants, spiders, rodents and other common household pests. CPH Services Gold Coast does not treat termites, a separate licence and specialty, and we refer those jobs to a termite specialist.
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