Insects and other pests can invade your home no matter where you are. Homeowners should be aware of a few types of pests unique to Australia and take measures to eradicate them. Insects are a common problem in Australian homes, so we thought we'd give you a rundown of the most common species and some advice on how to get rid of them in this post. Read on for further details.
Sydney's Bugs Stay Outside.
Many international students and workers in Australia have wondered, worried, or even nightmares about the creepy creatures hiding in their beds. If you look at any discussion boards dedicated to the topic of bugs in Sydney, you'll find a wide range of hyperbolic opinions, from the downright rude to the completely absurd.
Here is a list of some commonsense measures to prevent pests from entering your new home and what to do if one does.
So, what's the deal? You can calm down; there is no real danger here.
Sydney's Climate Is Not As Extreme As Other Parts Of Australia.
However, with this popularity comes a slew of urban legends about everything from spiders to crocodiles.
If you want to know the first thing about Sydney's natural environment, it's that its climate is much milder than the rest of Australia. Sydney's bug population is relatively low compared to its outback neighbours because of its proximity to the ocean, less extreme temperature swings, and consistent annual rainfall.
Many Sydney residents claim they have never encountered a dangerous insect.
The insect population is maintained in check by Sydney's balmy coastal climate.
You Are Moving Into Your New Apartment In Sydney.
There is no denying it. When moving into a previously unoccupied apartment, it is common to find insects like cockroaches and spiders.
It may come as a surprise, but try not to be alarmed.
The time to bug-bomb a new home is right before the movers bring in furniture and boxes full of your belongings.
You could hire a professional to do this, but plenty of effective bug bombs are available without a prescription that will kill fleas and other insects without costing as much as a week's hotel stay.
The Sydney mosquitoes are terrible.
Mosquitoes are a fact of life, even during Sydney's mild summers. Mosquitoes are mainly active at dusk and frequently find their way indoors.
Accordingly, what is the first rule of thumb? Close your windows at night, especially if you hear a noise outside. The windows can be left open if you buy a mosquito screen, which is a good investment if you enjoy the fresh air.
Even if you don't want to use DEET, a citronella candle can do the trick if you're outside at night.
Although mosquitoes in Sydney pose no real threat, those who experience severe itching after being bitten may want to carry antihistamine tablets or cream in their emergency kit.
Spiders In Sydney.
The spiders in Sydney aren't too scary. The more giant the spider, the more dangerous it is, is a common fallacy. Yet the huntsman, a common species in Sydney, can reach a length of six inches and is increasingly popular as a house pet.
Don't be alarmed by how big it is. The huntsman is supposedly friendly and harmless to humans. However, you need not worry if you encounter a Huntsman spider. In addition, you should keep in mind that it is much more terrified of you than you are.
They prefer the damp and humid outdoors and are therefore rarely seen inside.
A Funnel Web Spider has a shiny, nearly hairless, black exterior. Keep in mind that unless provoked, these spiders are unlikely to bite. Do not attempt to pick up a funnel-web spider with your bare hands if you need to get rid of it. Professionals have always stressed the importance of avoiding contact with the Funnel Web Spider.
The Australian Reptile Park has recently encouraged visitors who feel brave enough to catch one to do so to help with the advancement of anti-venom research. The ARP suggests utilising a container with a wide-mouthed jar and lid, then delivering the contents to a designated drop-off location in Sydney, where a specialist will process them. (Visit the Australian Reptile Park website to locate a location near you.)
If a funnel-web spider has bitten you or someone you know, you must seek medical attention immediately to receive a dose of anti-venom.
It is knowing a Huntsman when you see one.
Flying Cockroaches In Sydney.
The occasional cockroach is something you might have to get used to. Cockroaches are a nuisance in Sydney, and while bug bombing your apartment might keep them away temporarily, you'll eventually have to learn to live with them.
The silver lining is that they pose no health risk, and you can take several preventative measures to reduce the number of roaches in your home. Keeping your house, and especially your kitchen, clean is one of the best preventive measures you can take.
Leave no crumbs in the house, as cockroaches love to eat on scraps. You should sweep up crumbs immediately and take trash cans outside regularly.
Again, if you're not into keeping a can of spray under the sink for such occasions, there are plenty of other effective pest control products you can stock up on.
Warm, damp places are ideal hiding spots for insects and spiders. Locals in Sydney advise never leaving your shoes outside and checking them each time you put them on.
Australians should relax when dealing with bugs.
Many potential immigrants to Australia have voiced similar concerns about the country's insect population, and Sydney has emerged as a top destination for international workers.
If you were to poll any long-term ex-pat, you would hear unanimously positive responses reassuring you that you had nothing to worry about. In Sydney, most insects are entirely harmless, and there are facilities to deal with the few that aren't. It's possible to settle into a new city with relative ease and peace of mind by employing a few commonsense precautions; you won't even need to check under the bed!
How To Get Rid Of Common Australian Pests
Australia is known for its stunning natural landscapes, stunning beaches, and friendly, easygoing locals.
All bases are covered; we've got you covered. Listed below are the five most common pests found in Australian homes and some suggestions for eliminating them.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are a common household pest throughout Australia. They will be attracted to homes that provide warmth in colder climates because they thrive in damp environments.
Cockroaches are notorious for spreading numerous diseases to humans through ingestion.
Cockroaches love to eat anything, from food scraps to cardboard and glue. They'll eat anything, including dead animals, cockroaches, and waste. Cockroaches are a common household pest, but because they typically only come out at night, they can be challenging to spot. Cockroaches can be identified by their droppings, minor brown smear marks, and skin husks. As they do so, they may also leave behind a distinct odour, as pheromones are known to attract other cockroaches.
Due to the potential health risks they pose to humans, and a professional pest control service should deal with cockroach infestations as soon as possible.
Termites
Termites are the most costly pest in Australia, causing nearly $700 million in annual property damage. Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane are some of the cities on the mainland where these pests have been spotted, but they can be found anywhere the weather is warm enough.
One-third of Australian homes will experience a termite infestation at some point during their lifetimes. The time and money needed to fix termite damage outweigh the hassle they cause when trying to sell a home.
The urgency of a termite infestation is highlighted by the fact that female termites can produce up to 2,000 eggs per day. One call to us, and we'll be on our way to eradicating all termites and protecting your home from further damage. Timber houses are especially at risk from termites because wood is their prefered food source.
Hollow tunnels running parallel to the grain of the wood or tiny holes drilled into your ceiling beams are signs of wood-destroying pests.
Spiders
While some of these spiders can be fatal if their bite goes untreated, others may only cause a painful but otherwise non-lethal wound.
Spiders love to take up residence in dark, out-of-the-way places like the backs of furniture, closets, under eaves, vent covers, and other similar crevices. They will construct webs in the dark and damp to catch prey. Spiders can be found in and around the house, in places like the garden, the firewood stack, and the kids' cubby house.
Protect your family from the dangers of spider bites and get rid of annoying cobwebs by calling Competitive Pest Services.
Ants
Although most people view ants as a nuisance rather than a threat, there are over 1,300 species in Australia, and not all of them are harmless. Ant species, like the bull ant, can be found in every state. They are extremely dangerous because of their aggressive nature and bite severity, especially for those who are allergic.
Hot, sunny locations are ideal for ant colonies. Although they will consume almost any form of organic matter, they have a particular fondness for sugary and protein-rich foods. They will start settling down and constructing their colony after establishing a steady food supply. In a relatively brief period, these colonies can grow to enormous sizes. A healthy colony of Argentine ants can have millions of members.
Since some species of ant are known to chew through plastic and electrical wires, having an infestation could result in costly repairs. Ants can be found infesting a home if mounds of soil can be seen at the foot of exterior walls or if there are trails of ants leading into and out of the house.
We use insecticides to get rid of ant problems inside of homes. Moreover, we locate their colony and eliminate all food sources that could sustain them. We can permanently destroy their nesting and breeding grounds as soon as we discover them.
Fleas
Fleas are a significant problem in any home, regardless of their size. When we say they don't amount to much, many people will agree with us. Even worse, these microscopic terrors can prosper in and around your house. They'll latch onto your pets and anyone who comes in contact with infected animals.
Once fleas have found a way inside a house, they can be extremely challenging to eradicate. With just one female flea's ability to produce hundreds of eggs, a flea infestation can quickly spiral out of control. Under optimal conditions, flea larvae can mature in three weeks instead of the typical two months.
Itching and scratching are sure signs that fleas have infiltrated a human's or animal's skin, causing severe discomfort. When they bite, humans and animals are at risk of contracting parasites like tapeworms.
Targeted extermination techniques performed by a trained house pest control specialist are recommended to ensure the safety of your family and pets. Maintain your composure despite the infestation's presence for the time being. Make a change by giving your pet a natural flea wash bath and removing their old bedding.
Wasps And Bees
Although they are essential to our ecosystem, the over 1,500 species of native bees in Australia can be a significant nuisance if they find their way inside. The good news is that beehives are rarely constructed near people's homes.
But the truth is that you and your family could be in danger if a beehive or wasps' nest is on your property. Wasps and bees can invade your home's exterior through its walls, roof, or other openings. Wasps, in particular, can produce 20,000-person colonies in their nests. You have an extremely dangerous nest when you combine their size with the fact that a coordinated attack can be fatal to those allergic to their venom.
Unlike bees, wasps have multiple stingers, making them much more dangerous. However, if you neglect to take care of a beehive, it can also wreak havoc on your daily life. Do not try to eliminate bees or wasps on your own. If you have a wasp problem, all you have to do is call us, and we'll take care of it, whether that means relocating the hive or eliminating the swarm.
Flies
Flies are the undisputed champion of the most annoying pest in Australia. They are so commonly associated with the United States that we have learned to live with their constant buzzing around our food, children, and pets.
Diseases like salmonella and E. coli can be spread by flies, making them a threat to both human and animal health. Some flies, like the March or horse fly, are annoying and can cause painful bites.
The presence of maggots or flies around garbage cans is both sign of a possible fly infestation.
We recommend contacting the pros at Competitive Pest Services for any urgent pest control needs you may have.
Mosquitos
Everyone knows what a mosquito is by its annoying buzzing sound and painful bites. They tend to come out to feed first thing in the morning and again just before sunset when most of us try to unwind or have fun.
However many times you cram at them, mosquitoes will inevitably return. They thrive in damp environments and are often spotted near bodies of water. Depending on the species, mosquitoes can complete their life cycle from egg to adult in as little as four days.
Mosquitoes pose a significant risk to humans and animals because of the diseases they spread, including Dengue fever and Ross River virus.
Keep your doors, and windows closed and instal flyscreens to prevent mosquitoes from bringing disease into your home. Since mosquitos breed in stagnant water, you should remove or cover up any puddles you find around your house.
In addition to these measures, we advise contacting Competitive Pest Control. We will use various environmentally friendly methods to eliminate adult mosquitoes and their larval stages from your property.
Conclusion
So, how do people in Australia handle the pest problem? Bugs are a problem in Australia, but luckily locals have developed several solutions. Using chemical sprays designated bug-free areas inside the home and natural remedies are just a few of the options here. In this article, we'll examine the benefits and drawbacks of each of these strategies.
Content Summary
- No matter where you live, insects and other pests are a constant threat.
- There are several pests that are specific to Australia, and homeowners should be aware of and prepared to deal with these.
- Since insect infestations are so widespread in Australian homes, we figured we'd offer you a summary of the most common species and some tips on getting rid of them.
- If you hear anything unusual outdoors, you should close your windows.
- If you want to get rid of a funnel-web spider, don't try to pick it up with your bare hands.
- One of the best preventative actions you can take is to keep your home, and particularly your kitchen, clean.
- The five most prevalent household pests in Australia are described below, along with some tips on how to get rid of them.
- Infestations of cockroaches should be handled promptly by a professional pest control service due to the danger they bring to human health.
- Termites
- Termites cause over $700 million in annual property damage in Australia, making them the country's most expensive pest.
- Call Competitive Pest Services to cleanse your home of harmful insects and annoying webs.
- Ant colonies thrive in hot, sunny environments.
- However, if there is a beehive or wasps' nest on your land, you and your loved ones could be in danger.
- The lack of attention paid to a beehive, though, can cause significant disruptions to your everyday routine.
- We also recommend getting in touch with Competitive Pest Control in addition to these steps.
- There are a variety of methods that can be used, including chemical sprays, natural cures, and bug-free zones inside the house.
- Here, we'll take a look at the pros and cons of each of these tactics.
- To keep pests away from your house, put this liquid in a spray bottle and spray it liberally about the exterior.
Frequently Asked Questions
Items that have been infected should be washed in hot water and dried on high heat for about 20 minutes. Bugs can also be killed by storing contaminated items in the freezer for 7-10 days. The most effective means of eradicating bed bugs are those sold by trained professionals.
Bed bugs are a global problem; a few isolated cases have been documented in Australia. Infestations have been rising for the past decade, spreading from Victoria to the rest of the world.
To create the repellent, you can add about 20 drops of peppermint oil to a water bottle. If you pour this into a spray bottle and spray it liberally around your home, it will help repel pests. Carefully seal off crevices that could be hiding places for the eight-legged problems.
You can find insect-repellent properties in oils like lemongrass, citrous, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, citronella, catnip, and lavender. Each oil has unique properties but can be combined to create a potent bug spray.
To effectively deter these pests, fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and apple cider vinegar (regular vinegar will also do).