Australia is world-renowned for its diverse flora and fauna. It has one of the most exotic wildlife as well as home to some of the most venomous animals. The pest species of this continent are diverse with each species having thousands of sub-species. This makes pest control a hard nut to crack. As a precaution, every household should perform a pest inspection once every year by using a pest control service because as you all know, prevention is better than cure. Let’s see common Australian household pests.
If you are looking for an environmentally friendly solution consider Pro Pest Control Gold Coast who provides treatments using chemicals with low toxicity. However, with the gazillion potential pest species residing in Australia, there are a few most perennial ones that every household should keep an eye on. These ones are hard to get rid of and can be fairly costly to remove. Here’s a list of the top 11 Australian household pests.
1. Cockroaches
The cockroach are nocturnal insects which means they’re most active at night. That’s why you will never see one during the day but when you put the lights on during the night, you’ll find a whole civilization of them colonizing your kitchen.
They’re most attracted to warm moist environments and your house is a perfect breeding area. They easily hide within crevices and cracks and can survive up to a week without ahead. I think it’s safe to call them zombies.
Roaches are vectors of some dangerous diseases. They can transfer bacteria and cause gastroenteritis and dysentery. Plus, their droppings increase the risks of developing eczema and asthma, especially in children. You can use insecticides to get rid of them but some will survive in those hard-to-reach areas like crevices. A good pest control plan is needed to get rid of them. Liaise with your pest control agents for complete eradication.
2. Termites
Termites are one of the most destructive pests in Australia. Australia is host to about 20 species of termites. They establish colonies and cause massive destruction to wooden structures. Termites are nothing but persistent. Doing minor repairs will only lead to more damage. It is advisable to identify the colony and deal with the root cause.
To prevent termite infestation, seal all water leaks, store loose timber away, use chemical barriers around the house foundation, or build your house with treated timber or natural deterrent timber. You can use species-specific insecticide but best to have a pest control service do that for you.
3. Fleas
Fleas are blood-sucking non-flying insects generally found on pets. If you have pets, you should do regular inspections for fleas. They can jump up to 50 times their body length and are major vectors of diseases like the bubonic plague. Their bites cause irritation and can cause allergic reactions to humans.
One of the easiest ways to prevent infestation is by maintaining hygiene. If you have pets, regularly and thoroughly wash them with disinfectants. If they’ve been infested already, you can call a pest control service to clean the entire house and get rid of them.
4. Ticks
There are more than 800 species of ticks, with 70 of those residing in Australia. Ticks are most active in the spring and attach themselves to animal skins to suck off the blood. It is advisable to keep vegetation at low levels as ticks thrive in thick vegetation. They’re considered a pest as they are vectors of some serious diseases including Lyme disease, flu, Queensland Tick typhus, rashes, fever, and many more.
You can reduce tick prevalence in your home by using tick-repellent sprays, maintaining hygiene on all pets, or using insecticides. If a tick is embedded on the skin, avoid scrubbing it off. Use a pair of forceps to carefully lift it off to avoid some parts remaining in the body. The best way to keep off ticks is to conduct regular pest inspections and thorough clean-ups of your house.
5. Spiders
Generally speaking, spiders are not harmful. In fact, they’re an important part of our ecosystem. They feed on insects and flies. They rarely attack and should be left alone when spotted. Spider bites only cause minor pain and swelling around the bite which goes off on its own. However, if you’re allergic to their venom, then you should seek medical help immediately if bitten.
Spiders are usually found in gardens where they create webs to capture insects. If you’re an avid gardener, look for spider webs around your garden. Always wear protective clothing when handling your plants, and have a basic first aid kit in case of a spider bite. Children are most at risk of spider bites.
6. Ants
Ants are highly social and organized and are some of the hardest pests to get rid of. However, it’s very easy to identify an infestation. There are more than 1,275 subspecies of ants. They usually cram up around food particles and will form a queue for their movements. You can also check for small piles of earth around your house near the walls. They will generally dig through anything as they follow the scent of sugar.
To keep them away from your house, ensure that all food waste and particles are locked up and inaccessible to ants. Trim your trees from getting in contact with your house and ensure you seal or cracks and openings around your house.
7. Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny minute pests that thrive in dusty dry areas usually like an abandoned home. This is because they feed on dead skin particles shed from humans and animals preferring dry products over wet ones. Dust mites are perfect at absorbing moisture from the air and thrive well in humid conditions. They’re usually found in bed and because of their size, it’s hard to detect them. If you’re asthmatic, dust mites may cause reactions.
You can eradicate dust mites by cleaning all linens and changing bed sheets when you move to a new house. Use treated mattress encases if the problem persists. Keep humidity low. Treat infested clothes by heating or freezing. The best way to ensure they’re fully eradicated is by employing a pest control service.
8. Bed Bugs
As their name implies, bed bugs are small blood-feeding pests that thrive well in bed. They feed on people when they’re asleep or still like on the couch. They’re highly mobile and extremely good at hiding. You will rarely spot them during the day as they hide in crevices and soft surfaces. While they do not transfer any illnesses between humans, the discomfort they bring is equally disturbing.
Getting rid of bed bugs is usually an uphill task. They multiply very frequently and a few bed bugs can lead to a full-blown infestation in no time. To avoid this, ensure you check any used furniture brought to the house for bed bugs. Check your luggage after a trip. Avoid putting luggage on the bed for unpacking as bed bugs will quickly hide within the mattress.
Once the house is infested with bed bugs, your best bet at eradicating them is by using a professional pest control service. It is usually a two-step process, with the first step being insecticide spraying in all the rooms and steam treatment as the second step. This way, all stages of the pest are eradicated.
9. Rats
Rats thrive in untidy environments as they feed on food waste and neglected house items like linens or books. They are notorious for transmitting serious diseases including plague, murine typhus, salmonellosis, trichinosis, leptospirosis, and rat-bite fever. If left uncovered, they may contaminate your food with bacteria which can lead to food poisoning.
While rats are larger than mice, sealing off any openings where they might gain entrance should be your first step to keep them out. Always throw away waste food and seal it. Keep the house floor clean devoid of any food particles and always watch out for unusual food destructions like biting on food packages.
You can eradicate them by poisoning or trapping but this is usually not recommended as it’s slow and cause further discomfort. You can also bring in a cat to help chase them away. They will usually have dwellings around the house and therefore a full inspection of the house is preferred in order to identify their dwellings and eradicate them.
10. Mice
They’re extremely destructive and are major vectors of viruses, bacteria, and other diseases. They’re especially notorious for commercial crop destruction and thrive well on the farm.
They may cause damage to electrical wires, clothing, books, and furniture and have high reproduction rates. They will bore holes in walls and can be found in drawers, storage boxes, under cabinets, and any place seldom accessed. They’re harder to eradicate than rats and hiring a professional pest control service is your best shot.
11. Bees & Wasps
Bees are not harmful when left alone. In fact, if you have a flower garden, you shouldn’t surprise to see bees around as they help in pollination. Wasps, on the other hand, are more harmful than bees but will not generally attack unless provoked. The problem comes when they start establishing nests in your house. This is harmful especially if you or anyone in your family is allergic to bee stings.
To keep them away from your house, keep windows closed. If you spot some inside the house, avoid spraying or attacking them and just open windows and doors. They’ll find their way out. Do not attempt to remove a bee or wasp nest by yourself. Always call professional pest control services to inspect and get rid of them.
