Australia’s Most Unwanted Home Pests

If you love your home, chances are that other creatures like living in it too. Our homes can offer warmth, food scraps, wood to munch on, and people to bite for various types of creatures – including those pests such as fleas, spiders, ticks, bird mites and cockroaches just to name a few. Some of these insects can cause serious health issues for humans.

Here’s a quick rundown of a number of Australian pests that you would not want as house guests.

Termites:

Termites or white ants are notoriously efficient creatures! They form complex, organised and hierarchical societies and can destroy a timber-framed house within months, with Sydney homes being particularly vulnerable. They are also sneaky – operating in underground tunnels. It may take a professional termite inspection to determine if you have termites on your property. It’s also rare for insurance companies to include cover for termites in home insurance policies.

Evidence of termites includes holes in wood, a bubbling effect on Gyprock, mud tunnels, and growths on your trees. You can reduce the risk of termite attack by removing shrubs and stacks of timber around your home, clearing away rubbish from under the house, and putting physical barriers in place.

Rodents:

Rats can be very destructive, eating their way through your wiring and furnishings, and leaving behind droppings, urine streaks and unpleasant smells. They can also spread diseases to humans. Black rats and brown rats are the most common in Australia, and being nocturnal they can be hard to detect.

Mice are more inquisitive than rats but like rats can spread disease, and like to hide in wall cavities and lofts.

Reducing the risk of rodents involves removing food scraps and water sources (such as pet water bowls), sealing off entrances, and getting a cat or a dog.

Cockroaches:

Cockroaches are definitely something you do not want in your home! The sight of just one may indicate that you have many more hiding away. Cockroaches carry diseases, produce unpleasant odors, and can exacerbate asthma symptoms.

To reduce the risk, keep your home (particularly the kitchen) as clean and hygienic as possible, cleaning up food spills promptly and making sure to remove rubbish regularly. It may also be a good idea to contact one of Sydney’s best pest control companies to eliminate an infestation quickly.

European wasps:

Wasp nests can be hard to spot, and yet they can contain thousands of these creatures. Wasps like to form nests in roof and wall cavities, and also in trees and shrubs. They can sting repeatedly – unlike bees – and can cause a dangerous allergic reaction in some people.

Precautions include removing pet food and drink from outside, covering rubbish and compost bins, and picking up fruit that has fallen from outside trees.

Bedbugs:

Bedbugs are tiny wingless insects that like to live in bedding and furnishings. They especially like a tasty human, and will feast on blood. While they do not spread disease, their bites can cause irritating skin reactions in some people.

Maintaining a high standard of hygiene can help to reduce the risk of bedbugs.

Others:

Of course there are plenty of other pests that like to share our homes. These include ants, flies, spiders, fleas, mosquitoes and silverfish.

Fortunately, there are services available that can evict these types of pests. A qualified pest inspector is the best person to call if you suspect you have an infestation, as they have the equipment and skills required to do the job properly and permanently.

Call us at Pioneer Pest Control if you would like a quote on home pest control in Sydney.