100,000 SMUGGLED COCKROACHES SEIZED BY AUSTRALIA IN BIGGEST BUG BUST EVER

More than 100,000 exotic cockroaches were seized from an alleged commercial breeder in Bathurst. (Supplied: DCCEEW)

Fri 05 June 2026:

On Friday, Australian authorities confiscated 100,000+ live exotic cockroaches from a commercial breeder in Bathurst, NSW — the country’s largest seizure of illegal exotic invertebrates to date.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water reported the shipment contained dubia and Madagascar hissing species with a market value up to $200,000.

According to the department, the species cannot be legally imported into Australia and is therefore also illegal to keep, breed, or sell regardless of how they were obtained.

Officials warned that the insects have not undergone environmental risk assessments and could pose threats to native wildlife, agriculture, and biosecurity through the spread of disease.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Biosecurity Collections is overseeing the euthanasia and disposal of the seized insects, the statement said.

Dozens of large cockroaches swarm over white plates.

Authorities estimate the cockroaches allegedly seized from a Bathurst breeder had a value of up to $200,000. (Supplied: DCCEEW)

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Australian authorities said only species listed on the country’s Live Import List can be legally imported.

“We take our job protecting Australia’s unique biodiversity and breaches of national environment law very seriously,” a Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water Department spokesperson said.

“We’re seeing illegal breeding and trading of exotic cockroaches and we’re putting pet businesses and pet owners on notice,” the spokesperson added.

The department warned that individuals found possessing, breeding, or trading exotic cockroaches, including dubia and Madagascar hissing cockroaches, could face penalties under federal law.

Policy director for the Invasive Species Council, Carol Booth, said the illegal trade and keeping of invertebrates had become increasingly popular.

But she said the ease of sending them in the mail made the extent of the trade unknown.

Large cockroach on a bed of grain surrounded by egg cartons.

Authorities warn that exotic cockroaches can spread disease and harm native wildlife and agriculture. (Supplied: DCCEEW)

“You can find all sorts of websites, advertising, ants, cockroaches and all sorts of interesting insects online,” Ms Booth said.

“The concern is that because they are quite easy to send around the world, there could be quite an extensive trade around the world.”

Ms Booth said the trade posed a “massive” risk because exotic invertebrates could introduce microorganisms and potential pathogens into the native environment.

“There is a risk that they could introduce new diseases into the wild,” she said.

Ms Booth said the Madagascar hissing cockroach, which does actually hiss, was popular as a pet, while the dubia cockroach was often used to feed reptiles and fish.

“There’s an appeal of interesting invertebrates as pets, because they’re different, they’re easy to keep, they don’t take a lot of resources, you don’t have to take them off to the vet for expensive treatment,” she said.