German Cockroaches vs Regular Cockroaches in Australia: What You Need to Know

Key Points at a Glance

• German cockroaches are small, light brown, breed rapidly, and usually infest kitchens and appliances.
• Regular cockroaches (like Australian and American cockroaches) are larger, darker, slower to breed, and usually come from drains, outdoors, or damp areas.
• Droppings look different: German cockroach droppings resemble fine black pepper or coffee grounds, while larger cockroaches leave cylinder-shaped pellets.
• German cockroaches need a specialised treatment because of how quickly they spread and how well they hide.

Why This Matters on the Gold Coast

Living on the Gold Coast means we’re blessed with warm, humid weather most of the year. Unfortunately, that’s exactly the type of climate cockroaches love too. Whether you’re in Surfers, Southport, Robina, or further inland, chances are you’ve run into cockroaches at some point.

But not all cockroaches are created equal. And the treatment for one type might not work for the other – which is why it’s really important to know what you’re dealing with.

Meet the Culprits: German Cockroaches vs Regular Cockroaches

German Cockroaches

• Size & colour: Small (1-1.5cm long), light brown/tan to dark brown, often with two dark stripes running down their back.
• Where you’ll find them: Inside kitchens, around cupboard door hinges, dishwashers, microwaves, fridges, toasters, behind cupboards – basically anywhere warm, dark, and close to food and water.
• Breeding: Extremely fast. A single female can produce thousands of offspring in a year. That’s why infestations get out of hand so quickly.
• Droppings: Fine, pepper-like specks or smear marks around appliances, cupboards, cupboard door hinges, or benchtops.
• Behaviour: They don’t usually come in from outside – once they’re in your kitchen, they’re there to stay until properly treated.

“Regular” Cockroaches (Australian & American)

• Size & colour: Much bigger (3–5cm), darker brown to black. Australian cockroaches have yellow markings near their head.
• Where you’ll find them: Drains, under houses, in gardens, bathrooms, garages, and sometimes wandering into kitchens. They usually live outdoors but come in searching for food or water.
• Breeding: Slower than Germans, so infestations don’t explode overnight.
• Droppings: Larger, cylindrical pellets you might find in cupboards or storage areas.
• Behaviour: You might only see one or two at a time, especially at night, but that’s often enough to call for treatment.

Why Treatments Differ

Most standard cockroach treatments in Australia are designed to handle the larger “regular” species. These treatments usually create a protective barrier and deal with the odd cockroach that wanders in.

German cockroaches, on the other hand, need targeted treatments using gels, baits, and sometimes multiple visits. If you only do a standard spray, you might kill a few – but the rest, hiding deep inside your kitchen appliances, will survive and keep breeding.

That’s why we keep German cockroach treatments separate. They’re more intensive, but it’s the only way to properly wipe out the infestation.

How to Tell Which One You’ve Got

• Small, light brown, fast-moving, in the kitchen = German cockroaches.
• Large, dark brown or black, often from drains or outdoors = regular cockroaches.
• Droppings like pepper = German. Droppings like mouse pellets = regular.

If you’re unsure, take a photo and send it through to us – we can usually tell straight away.

FAQ

Q: Why aren’t German cockroaches included in your standard cockroach treatment?

A: Because they require a totally different approach. Standard sprays don’t reach them where they hide, and they breed far too quickly. A dedicated German Cockroach treatment employs growth regulators as well as transfer effect products to destroy the nest and break the breeding cycle.

Q: How do German cockroaches get into my home?

A: Often through grocery bags, second-hand appliances, or deliveries. Once they’re in, they spread fast.

Q: Are German cockroaches more dangerous than regular cockroaches?

A: Both types can carry bacteria and trigger allergies, but German cockroaches are worse simply because there are usually so many more of them.

Q: Can I just spray them myself?

A: Supermarket sprays might kill a few you see, but they won’t touch the hidden nests. That’s why professional treatment is the only real solution

Summary

On the Gold Coast, we commonly deal with two types of cockroaches: German cockroaches and the larger “regular” cockroaches. Regular cockroach treatments won’t solve a German cockroach infestation, which is why we offer a specific program just for them.

If you’re noticing small, light brown cockroaches in your kitchen, or pepper-like droppings around appliances, it’s time to book in a German cockroach treatment before things get out of hand.