Are pest control treatments safe for children and pets?

Yes. All Gladiator treatments use Australian-approved products that are safe once dry. We take extra care around kids, pets and sensitive areas to keep your home protected without risk.

Do I need to leave the house during a treatment?

Usually not. For most services you can stay home — we’ll simply ask you to step outside briefly while we spray, especially if you have pets or young children.

How long does a pest treatment last?

Most treatments protect your home for three to six months, depending on the pest and property type. Regular maintenance keeps barriers strong all year round.

How often should I book pest control?

Homes typically need one visit a year, while businesses or strata complexes often schedule quarterly services for continuous protection.

Can you help with urgent pest problems?

Yes. We offer fast response appointments for urgent infestations or visible pest activity — including after-hours where needed.

What areas do you service?

We cover Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and the Sutherland Shire, including Bondi, Bronte, Cronulla, Caringbah, Miranda, and Gymea Bay.

What types of properties do you service?

Gladiator works with homes, businesses, strata buildings, schools, cafés, offices, and more. Each service is tailored to your environment.

Are your technicians licensed and insured?

Yes. Every technician holds a current NSW pest management licence and full insurance, following strict safety and environmental standards.

How can I prepare my home or business before a treatment?

Just tidy benchtops, store food, and move small items from walls. We’ll give simple prep steps before we arrive — nothing complicated.

What should I do after a pest treatment?

Let treated surfaces dry before cleaning and keep windows open for ventilation. We’ll leave clear after-care instructions specific to your service.

How soon will I see results?

Most people notice a reduction within days. Some pests take up to two weeks to fully clear, depending on nesting sites and product type.

What’s included in a general pest treatment?

A standard service targets ants, cockroaches, spiders, and silverfish using sprays, dusts, and perimeter barriers inside and outside your property.

Are your treatments environmentally friendly?

Yes. We use modern, low-toxicity products that are safe for people and pets but tough on pests — all compliant with Australian environmental standards.

Do you offer ongoing maintenance plans?

Absolutely. We provide flexible treatment plans — quarterly, bi-annual, or annual — for homes, strata, and commercial properties.

Do you provide reports or compliance certificates?

Yes. All commercial and strata clients receive digital service reports and compliance records after every visit.

How can I prevent pests from coming back?

Seal entry gaps, store food properly, fix leaks, clean bin areas, and keep garden beds or mulch away from walls. We’ll share custom prevention tips after each treatment.

What if pests return after treatment?

If you notice activity soon after we’ve treated, get in touch — our service guarantee includes reassessment and re-treatment if needed.

How much does pest control cost?

Costs vary by property size and pest type, but we’ll always give a clear, upfront quote before work begins — no hidden fees.

Do you provide pest control for rentals or end-of-lease requirements?

Yes. We regularly perform end-of-lease pest control for tenants and landlords, including flea and general treatments.

Why choose Gladiator Pest Solutions?

Because we combine proven expertise with genuine local care. We’re not a franchise — we’re a Sydney-based, family-run team protecting homes and businesses with calm professionalism and lasting results.

Baby Cockroaches? Think Again. — Gladiator Pest Solutions

Those tiny “babies” are German cockroaches. Here’s how infestations start—and how to end them for good.

If you’ve spotted small brown cockroaches darting across your kitchen, you’re not alone. In Sydney, especially in apartments and terraces, German cockroaches are one of the most common and persistent pests we see.

Many people assume these are “baby cockroaches,” but in fact they are nymphs: young German cockroaches that signal an established infestation nearby. Seeing them is usually a sign that the problem is already well underway.

How German Cockroaches Get Into Your Home

One of the most common scenarios we see is hospitality workers bringing cockroaches home from their workplace. Kitchens, bars, and food preparation areas are high-risk environments, and it only takes one or two hitchhikers hidden in a bag or on clothing to introduce them into a household.

But this isn’t the only way they spread. German cockroaches can also enter through:

Shopping bags that carry more than groceries
Food delivery packaging that has been exposed to infested areas
Neighbouring apartments, where infestations can easily travel between shared walls and pipework

Understanding these entry points helps reduce the chance of introducing cockroaches in the first place.

How to Identify German Cockroaches

German cockroaches are smaller than most native species. Adults are light brown with two dark stripes behind the head and measure about 1.3–1.6 cm. Nymphs are much smaller and darker, often appearing almost black.

If you’re spotting them during the day, it usually means their usual hiding places are overcrowded. In other words, there are likely many more you cannot see.

Why DIY Baits Often Fall Short

It’s natural to reach for supermarket baits or sprays when you first notice cockroaches. But German cockroaches are well known for developing resistance to many of these common products.

Even if you see a temporary drop in numbers, DIY baits rarely eliminate the hidden nests behind walls, cupboards, and appliances. This is why infestations often return within weeks.

Professional treatments use targeted products and application methods that are both more effective and safe for your home and family.

Signs of an Infestation

You may be dealing with a German cockroach infestation if you notice:

Frequent sightings of small brown or black cockroaches in the kitchen or bathroom
Fine droppings that resemble ground black pepper in cupboards or near appliances
Egg cases tucked into corners, under shelves, or behind appliances
A musty or oily odour around infested areas

What to Do Next

A professional treatment is the most reliable way to remove German cockroaches. At Gladiator, our two-treatment program, carried out in two-week intervals, is designed to break the breeding cycle and ensure long-lasting results.

To support this process, we also recommend:

Wiping down surfaces and removing food scraps daily
Emptying bins frequently
Sealing cracks and gaps in kitchens to eliminate harbourages where infestations can begin
Avoiding leaving pet food or water out overnight

Before treatment, we ask customers to empty under-sink cupboards and any surrounding storage areas. This allows our technicians to access cracks, crevices, and hidden harbourages for a thorough application.

Not Just a Household Issue

While German cockroaches are a common problem in homes, they are also a serious concern for restaurants, cafés, and food service businesses. In these environments, infestations not only affect hygiene but also reputation and compliance.

Whether residential or commercial, our approach is the same: discreet, professional, and effective.

German cockroaches can feel like an overwhelming problem, but they don’t have to be. With the right treatment and a few simple habits, your home or business can be free from these pests.

At Gladiator Pest Solutions, we provide discreet, professional treatments that don’t rely on scare tactics. Just steady, effective protection you can count on.

If you’re noticing signs of German cockroaches in your home or workplace, now is the right time to act.

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FAQs

Are German cockroaches dangerous to humans?
Yes. German cockroaches can spread bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, and their droppings and shed skins may trigger allergies or asthma in sensitive individuals.

Can I get rid of German cockroaches myself?
Supermarket sprays and baits may reduce numbers temporarily, but they rarely eliminate the hidden nests behind walls and appliances. Professional treatment is the most reliable way to break the breeding cycle.

How do German cockroaches spread between apartments?
They can travel easily through shared plumbing, cracks, and electrical conduits. In units or terraces, one neighbour’s infestation often spreads to others if not managed quickly.

What should I do before a professional cockroach treatment?
We recommend emptying under-sink cupboards and surrounding storage areas so our technicians can access all cracks and crevices. Keeping surfaces clean and sealing gaps will also support the treatment’s success.

Baby Cockroaches? Think Again.