Cockroach Control in Melbourne
Marks Pest Control identifies the cockroach, finds where it is hiding and breeding, treats the source and shows you what drew it in. German cockroaches stay in kitchens and bathrooms, while American and smokybrown cockroaches live in roof voids, drains and sheds and can fly short distances in warm weather. Call 0482074889 or send a photo for a clear price before any work begins.
Last updated 29 October 2026.
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Which cockroaches are found in Melbourne?
Six species are found in Victoria: German, American, Australian, smokybrown, brownbanded and Oriental cockroaches. German cockroaches are small, 12 to 15 millimetres, and live indoors under sinks, inside cupboards and behind fridges and appliances. American cockroaches are large, 35 to 40 millimetres, and live in roof voids, wall cavities, subfloors, sewers and grease traps. Australian and smokybrown cockroaches, both about 30 to 35 millimetres, live in sheds, subfloors, mulch, drains and woodpiles, and come inside in warm weather. Brownbanded cockroaches prefer warm, high places such as behind pictures and inside electrical appliances, while Oriental cockroaches live in damp subfloors, under leaf litter and around plumbing. The species decides where we look, how we treat and how many visits you are likely to need, so identification always comes first and every treatment starts from it.
Do cockroaches fly?
Some do, and it is usually a short flight in warm weather. American cockroaches fly short distances when it is warm, and smokybrown cockroaches fly in warm weather and are often drawn to lights at night, which is why one can land on you on a summer evening. Brownbanded cockroaches may fly in warm conditions or when disturbed. German and Oriental cockroaches generally do not fly. A flying cockroach inside the house is almost always a larger outdoor species that has come in through a gap, a vent, a drain or an open door, and it does not mean you have a kitchen infestation. Seal gaps around doors, windows and pipes, fit screens, and keep outdoor lights away from open doors. If you see them often, call us, because the nest may be in the roof void, a drain or a nearby shed.
How do I know how bad the infestation is?
Signs of cockroaches include faecal pellets and smears, cast skins and empty egg cases, often in the corners of cupboards, under sinks and behind appliances. Seeing live cockroaches during the day usually points to a large infestation, because they hide when there is space to hide and are only forced out by crowding. German cockroaches found in other rooms, such as bedrooms, can also point to a large infestation. A musty, oily smell is another sign. Place sticky traps along the walls of the kitchen and bathroom for a few nights, and take a photo of what they catch. The number, the size and the place tell us which species and how far the problem has spread, and what a treatment is likely to involve. Send the photos and we can often tell you what to expect before the visit.
Why do cockroaches keep coming back?
Cockroaches multiply fast, and the first treatment often leaves eggs and hidden nymphs behind. A German cockroach can go from hatchling to adult in as little as 40 days, produces up to 40 young in each generation and has three to four generations a year, so a small group can become a large one in a few months. They can live for up to a month without food as long as water is available, which means a clean kitchen with a dripping tap can still hold them. They are drawn to food, water and shelter, and will eat almost anything, including grease, paper and starch. That is why a plan includes cleaning, moisture control and sealing, along with a treatment aimed at where they hide and a follow-up check to catch any that hatch afterwards.
How do you treat cockroaches?
- Identify the species and where it lives.
- Inspect under sinks, behind appliances, in cupboards, drains, wall voids, the roof void and the subfloor.
- Treat the hiding places and travel routes with the method that suits the species, using gel baits in food areas.
- Close the gaps and fix moisture that lets them in.
- Advise on cleaning, food storage and rubbish.
- Check again after the treatment to catch any that hatch afterwards.
What can I do before the visit?
- Empty the cupboards under the sink and the kitchen cupboards you want treated
- Wash dishes, wipe benches and take out the rubbish before the technician arrives
- Store food in sealed containers and take animal food bowls up at night
- Fix leaking taps and pipes and wipe up water at night
- Move appliances if you can, so the technician can reach behind them
- Do not spray the cockroaches yourself before the visit, because it can scatter them into new areas
Do you treat cockroaches in cafes and restaurants?
Food premises tend to need a regular visit rather than a single treatment, because food, warmth and moisture are always present. Gel baits are often used in food areas, because they place the treatment in the cracks and hiding places instead of on food surfaces.
How much does cockroach control cost?
The price depends on the species, how large the infestation is, how many rooms are affected and whether more than one visit is needed. A few German cockroaches in one kitchen is a smaller job than a large infestation spread through a unit block or a restaurant. See our Pest Control Cost Melbourne guide. We give a clear price after an inspection or a look at your photos, before any work begins.
Cockroach frequently asked questions
Why am I seeing cockroaches during the day?
It often points to a large infestation, because they only come out in the day when they are crowded.
Do cockroaches carry disease?
Cockroaches have the potential to carry disease, which is one reason they are treated as a serious pest, especially around food.
What attracts cockroaches?
Food, water and shelter. They will eat almost any plant or animal material, including grease, paper and starch.
Can I get rid of cockroaches myself?
Cleaning, sealing food and fixing leaks help. Treating hiding places and breaking the breeding cycle usually needs a technician.
Why do I see cockroaches after rain?
Larger outdoor species move indoors when their shelters are flooded or when the weather turns warm and humid.
How long until the cockroaches are gone?
Many are gone within days, and nymphs can keep hatching for some weeks. We tell you what to expect when we quote.
Related: Pest Control Melbourne