5 Common Australian Household Pests – And How to Get Rid of Them

Australia is home to incredible scenery, beautiful beaches, and friendly, laid-back locals. That said, it’s also home to a wide range of insects, rodents, and other animals that can be both pesky and downright dangerous – especially if these little critters find their way into your home.

If you suspect you’re dealing with a pest infestation, time is of the essence. It’s important to act quickly to get the matter under control and keep your home as safe as possible.

Wondering what kind of household pests to look out for? Searching for specific strategies to handle these creepy-crawly creatures if you do find them inside your home?

We’ve got you covered. Here are five of the most common Australian household pests and how you can get rid of them.

Cockroaches

 Australia has a variety of cockroach species, making cockroaches one of the most common household pests in the country. These insects thrive in environments with abundant food, water, and shelter. They eat just about any animal or vegetable material, including paper, leather, fabric, and grease particles.

If you suspect you’ve got a roach infestation, there are a few steps you can take. First, do a thorough inspection of the infested area and reduce their access to any food, water, and shelter. For example, repair leaky pipes and keep food in airtight sealed containers. You can also apply pesticides to areas that will target the cockroach population, such as cracks and crevices that may be housing the insects.

Spiders

Everyone knows that Australia is known for having some of the biggest (and sometimes scariest) spiders in the world. In fact, they are the most widely distributed venomous creatures in the country, with roughly 10,000 species living in different ecosystems. As a result, it should come as no surprise that spiders often find their way into Aussie households.

Many of these spiders look more intimidating than they actually are; several species are completely harmless. That said, some species are poisonous, making it all the more important to be careful when you encounter these crawlers in your house.

Poisonous or not, you don’t want to be sharing your home with any spiders. If you’re wondering how to get rid of spiders in your home, the fastest and most effective way is to hire a professional pest control company. These experts know the areas of your home that could be harbouring spiders, and they have a wide variety of pesticides that can be used to eliminate the spider population. Don’t wait – book online now!

Ants

Sure, ants may seem harmless enough, and, for the most part, they are. However, if ants have infiltrated your home, they can cause a lot of damage. For one, some ants, such as bull ants, are aggressive and have a nasty bite that can hurt you or your loved ones – especially if you’re allergic. Some ants can even destroy electrical wiring and plastic, which can lead to some time-consuming and costly repairs you’d surely like to avoid.

There are a few different ways you can go about eliminating ants in your home. First, practice cleanliness; don’t leave food out for them to snack on, and keep food sealed in airtight containers whenever possible. You can also try some homemade extermination techniques, such as pouring boiling water into a small hole at the ants’ nest. Alternatively, you can make a homemade bait and lure the ants into a trap using materials like peanut butter, sugar, and Borax.

However, if you have a bad case of ants in your home that isn’t going away no matter what you do, it may be time to call a professional.

Rodents

Have you been hearing strange noises coming from inside your walls, like scratching or clawing? Have you noticed small black droppings around your home, especially in areas with lots of food? These are tell-tale signs you’ve got a rodent problem.

Whether it’s rats or mice, these pesky little creatures can pose a significant health risk to you and your family. Rats and mice are known to spread more than 35 diseases worldwide. Plus, they can do a significant amount of damage to your home by gnawing on electrical wires, potentially leading to short-circuiting and even fires. That’s why it’s vital to act fast and get the problem under control.

Poison baits and traps are generally the two most effective ways of getting rid of rats in the household. Both poison baits and traps can be found at local retail shops. If you are using these methods, make sure you put the baits and traps where no children or pets can reach them.

If you’d rather seek professional help, call a pest control company to help you handle the issue.

Bed Bugs

 To put it plainly, bed bugs are bad news – and they’re super pervasive across Australia. In fact, in 2017, it was reported that the Australian bed bug population had boomed in recent years, with a 5,000 percent increase between 2000 and 2017.

These tiny oval-shaped pests are often so small they can’t even be detected by the human eye. As their name suggests, they tend to live in cracks and crevices in or around your bed. They mostly feed on humans’ blood, which can lead to blood stains on your sheets and mysterious bite marks on your skin. However, they’re also incredibly resilient and can live up to one year without feeding on anything. This resilience makes them incredibly tough to get rid of.

You can try strategies on your own to eliminate bed bugs, such as treating your mattress with products designed to kill bed bugs, vacuuming your entire home, and washing clothes in hot water over 60 degrees Celsius. However, because of how tricky these little crawlers are to kill, it’s best to seek the help of a professional pest control company if you suspect you’ve got an infestation.

You don’t want to be sharing your home with unwelcome visitors. Whether it’s cockroaches, spiders, or rats, you need to act quickly if you suspect you have an infestation of any household pests. By knowing what to look out for and what steps to take to eliminate these creatures, you’ll keep your home safe for you and your loved ones.

Book a consultation today for your pest problems!