Cockroaches are one of the most common pests in Malaysian homes — but did you know that different species hide in different places?
Understanding the type of cockroach you’re dealing with helps you spray insecticide and place bait precisely where it matters most. Even better, insecticides spray with residual effect ensures protection long after application, keeping high-risk areas guarded day and night.
Here’s your guide to the three most common cockroach species in Malaysian homes — and exactly where to find and fight them.
- German Cockroach (Blattella germanica)
- Most common indoor cockroach, especially in Malaysian kitchens
- Small (about 1.3–6 cm), light brown with two dark stripes behind its head
- Cannot fly, but very fast-moving and breeds rapidly
Where it hides:
- Under kitchen sinks, behind stoves, inside lower drawers
- In cracks near cabinet bases, dishwashers, and behind appliances
Smell clue: Produces a strong oily/musty odor in areas with heavy infestation
Where to spray / apply bait (safely):
- Spray along skirting boards, under sinks (not near dishware), and floor-wall joints
- Place bait inside dark cabinet corners, behind freestanding appliances (like fridges or bins), and under kitchen counters — away from food-contact surfaces
Smart Tips: Always avoid spraying directly near food, dishes, or cooking surfaces. Focus on hard-to-reach gaps and protected lower zones.
🔗 Source: Rentokil Malaysia
- American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana)
- The largest among all 4 species, reaching up to 5 cm
- Reddish-brown body with yellowish figure-8 pattern behind the head
- Can fly short distances
Where it hides:
- Drains, sewers, toilet piping
- Store rooms, basements, old wooden cabinets near moisture
Smell clue: Produces a strong, musty odor especially around damp, enclosed spaces
Where to spray / apply bait:
- Floor drains, under sink cabinets, toilet corners
- Behind washing machines and damp floor crevices
Smart Tips: Spray around drain edges and damp zones — residual effect keeps killing them even after they re-emerge.
🔗 Source: Rentokil Malaysia
- Brown-Banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa)
- Recognisable by distinct brown bands across its head and wings
- Small in size and prefers dry, elevated hiding spots
Where it hides:
- High cabinets, wardrobes, inside electronics
- Behind photo frames or furniture in dry areas
Smell clue: Produces a faint oily smell, especially in infested furniture
Where to spray / apply bait:
- Behind hanging objects, inside drawers, TV consoles
- Apply bait or spray near warm appliances like modems or fridge motors
🔗 Source: Rentokil Malaysia
- Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis)
- Darkest body among all — deep brown to black
- Slow-moving, prefers cool and damp spaces
Where it hides:
- Garbage bins, wet store rooms, outdoor drains
- Under leaking pipes and floor cracks
Smell clue: Emits a strong, foul odour in moist, poorly ventilated zones
Where to spray / apply bait:
- Near trash bins, floor-level corners, under outdoor sinks
- Apply residual spray around drain covers and baseboards
🔗 Source: Orkin Canada
- Australian Cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae)
- Brown coloured with distinctive lateral pale yellow marking on their forewings.
- Almost mistaken with American cockroaches but having smaller body size.
Where it hides:
- Dwellings, premises and outdoor (building perimeters).
- During rainy season can invade properties (drains, water pipes, sinks and toilet) to seek shelter.
Smell clue: Produces a strong, musty odor especially around damp, enclosed spaces
Where to spray / apply bait (safely):
- Floor drains, under sink cabinets, toilet corners
- Along door and window lines.
🔗 Source: PestBustersMalaysia , Pest Control
Spray Smart. Place Right. Win Fast.
By identifying the cockroach species, you can:
- Spray exactly where they hide and crawl
- Place bait where they feed
- Let residual spray continue protecting the area
- Use smell clues as early warning signs of hidden infestations
SUITABLE PRODUCTS: Cockroach Spray, Cockroach Bait