Queensland Cockroach Crisis: Pest Controllers Issue Warning as Temperatures Rise

Australia is experiencing some extreme heatwaves, according to sciencealert.com. This reality may not be changing any time soon, and it is a reality that pest control experts fear might bring another unexpected wave: a wave of roaches.

Wave of Cockroaches

Yes, it is true that there may be a wave of roaches approaching. The cockroach population is going to skyrocket by 30 percent according to Jimmy Whelan at Guard Pest Control an Australian pest management company.

The species that homeowners have to worry about are the following:

• German cockroach
• American cockroach
• Australian cockroach

The thing that all these roaches have in common is their resilience. They are able to survive through hunger and extreme temperatures, making them especially equipped to continue living through this heatwave.

Why are Cockroaches Rising in Population?

Both homeowners and business owners have to fear this rise, but some are wondering why it’s even happening in the first place. It would be great to pinpoint one specific reason the roach population is growing so rapidly, but this cannot be done.

Nature is a strange and complex phenomenon. Experts are pointing to some of the following reasons as to why the cockroach population is growing so quickly in Australia:

• Humid summers create the perfect environment for these creatures to procreate. This summer was especially humid for Australia.
• Rapid breeding seasons from September to June and January through March.
• Australia’s rich, natural land provides nourishment to these creatures, which also contributes to their growth.

Of course, these aren’t all the reasons why these insects are growing so quickly, but they are some of them.

Why are Cockroaches Making Their Way Into Homes and Businesses?

This is the million-dollar question. If the roach population was growing in Australia and stayed outside, most people wouldn’t care so much. The only thing that would change is that birds, rodents, and other mammals would have more of them to hunt in the wild, but the reality is they are eyeing homes and places of businesses.

Cockroaches are making their way into homes in alarming and overwhelming ways. Why do you suppose this is happening? The following are some reasons that may answer that question:

• Australia is dealing with one of the worst fires in a long time. This fire is displacing not only people but also insects, such as roaches making their way into homes for safety.
• The heatwave that the country is going through also caused a major drought, which is depleting the land of resources. This is another reason roaches are attempting to find resources, homes, and businesses.
• Many homeowners do not inspect their homes for leaks, holes, cracks, and other entrances that roaches can use to gain access.

These are just some reasons why roaches are making their way into homes through Jimmy Whelan from Guard Pest Control also points out that cockroaches are like any other pest: they need water. This means homeowners and business owners need “moisture meters to assess moisture levels in walls. Pests are attracted to moisture and humidity.”

What can you do to protect yourself from this rise? That is another hard question to answer. Of course, there isn’t much that can be done to fix the heatwave, and hopefully, the fires are controlled soon enough, but homeowners and business owners can still take active steps to keep their properties safe.

For one, a full inspection is vital to effectively seal the property to prevent these insects from gaining access in the first place.

Second of all, it is important that property owners realize that roaches might already have made their way inside. You can never be sure because roaches are excellent at hiding, so you are going to need professional help. Having a full pest inspection and making sure this becomes routine should help squash infestations before they become worse.

Hopefully, this information helps enlighten Australians and helps keep everyone as safe as possible. Cockroaches are not only a nuisance, but they also carry bacteria that can cause sicknesses, not to mention allergic reactions in those who are sensitive or have respiratory issues.