If you think you're living in the midst of a cockroach plague, you may need to tidy your living room.
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Central Queensland University biology professor and insect expert, Simon Robson, says although there are fluctuations in 'roach populations, they're all after the same thing - a little human company.
"They're just an insect trying to make a living," he said.
"They've evolved to live with humans and have traveled the world with us for hundreds of years. They're very smart and they make good use of us."
Professor Robson said a combination of food waste, a warm ambient temperature, and just the right amount of humidity drew cockroaches into homes.
That's why you're more likely to find them bedding down in the bathroom, or under the kitchen sink - especially if your garbage bin also lives there.
"They're life cycle is very sensitive to temperature and humidity," Professor Robson said.
"They increase in number around summer, and the weather conditions we've had could increase populations in some parts of Australia."
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The two kinds most commonly seen in Aussie homes are the larger American cockroach and the smaller German cockroach. Professor Robson said neither bug carried much disease.
Outside the home, there are over 200 species of native Australian cockroach, which he described as "beautiful".
"Some are lime green, hey're all sorts of sizes and shapes and colours," he said.
Because unclean conditions provide prime real estate for cockroaches, Professor Robson said people mistakenly assume they're the culprits for ill-health.
"The best thing you can do to deter them is keep the house clean," he said.
"Many fly around at night, so screens on the windows help. Having frogs and geckoes living around the house will also help keep numbers down."
And as for spraying them?
"Insect populations are collapsing around the world - we need to look after our insects."
Better take the garbage out.