Insects and other pests are just a part of life – especially in Australia, and even more so in the warm, humid climate of southeast Queensland. You are pretty much guaranteed to encounter at least some pests at home – the issue is really which ones, and whether they are a random sighting as they pass through or a problem when they move in.
Why Are Pests a “Pest”?
Most of the common household pests are insects (except for rodents). They may be small, but they can wreak havoc in your home.
Pests multiply at a staggering rate, and what may be a small family of little critters can quickly become a massive colony that sets up residence in your attic, basement, crawl space, walls, cupboards, carpets, trees, lawn, or anywhere else they are unwelcome.
Depending on the type of pest you have, they can:
- Damage or destroy the structure of your home.
- Damage or destroy trees.
- Bring in bacteria and diseases which affect your family and pets.
- Deliver stings and bites.
- Get into and spoil your food.
- Bring in dirt and other filth.
- Chew and destroy your carpets, drapes, and upholstery, as well as clothing and linen.
It’s important to ensure these critters are made to feel as unwelcome as possible – and if they do move in, they need to be effectively evicted.
The Most Common Pests in Queensland
Ants. Black House Ants are the tiny black ants you’ll be familiar with; they are native to Australia. They are most likely to be found nesting under pavers and logs and in walls, roof voids, and electrical boxes. The other ant you may see at home in southeast Queensland is the Coastal Brown Ant. This invasive species is larger than the black ant and tends to colonise in disturbed soil along the edges of footpaths, walls, pavers, and garden beds.
The most effective way to discourage ants from taking up residence in your home is through the use of baits and spray insecticides if you see random ants in your kitchen or elsewhere. If you have reason to believe a colony is in place, call Proactive Pest Solutions (PPS) for professional treatment that works both indoors and outdoors.
Cockroaches. This common pest (of which we have several species in Australia) is difficult to control – after all, cockroaches survived and thrived in Hiroshima, Japan after the atom bomb in 1945. Prevention strategies include blocking easy access and denying them sustenance – keep kitchen cupboards, benches, and floors clean and dry. Cover bins and keep food in sealed, airtight containers. Seal unfinished wooden surfaces and fill spaces around electrical outlets, windows, doors, and under-sink plumbing.
Fortunately, PPS has pest control solutions that effectively kill cockroaches and their carnivorous friends who feed on their carcasses.
Fleas. You are most vulnerable to fleas at home if you have a pet cat or dog, particularly if they go outdoors or to a doggy daycare or boarding facility. Fleas lay eggs in crevices, and then find a host to feed on animal (or human) blood. Not only are fleas an itchy, bitey nuisance, but they also transmit diseases (parasitic and blood-borne); tapeworm is a serious flea-transmitted disease. There are different types of fleas in Australia, but cat fleas (on both cats and dogs) are more common in homes.
Treat pets regularly to prevent flea infestation. Vacuum your home frequently and wash pet bedding in hot water. Call professionals like PPS to eradicate fleas on your property.
Ticks. These common insects are potentially very dangerous to pets and people. They bite, transmit disease, and suck the blood of their host. There are many dozens of species of ticks in Australia and the more common of these are the Paralysis Tick and the Brown Dog Tick. They land on their host as the human or animal brushes up against the tree or shrub on which they are resting.
Reduce tick risks by keeping grass and shrubbery trimmed. Walk dogs on a lead and keep them out of vegetation. Cover up with long sleeves etc in tick-prone environments and check yourself, kids, and pets after being in the bush or yard. Treat pets regularly with preventative tick treatments and call professionals to treat your yard if you are experiencing an issue with ticks.
Bed Bugs. These will usually be brought into your home on clothing or luggage. They hide throughout the day and come out through the night as you sleep, usually in bedrooms. They suck on the blood of their human hosts and leave itchy bites.
Prevent bed bugs by checking bedding carefully when you are away from home, checking luggage etc when you return, and covering your mattress at home with an impermeable protector. Don’t bring secondhand upholstered furnishings, pillows, or mattresses into your home. Call PPS for advice and to eradicate bed bug infestations on the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane areas.
Rats & Mice. Also known as rodents, rats and mice can be a huge problem. These pests are not Australian natives (Native rats and mice are not pests) and they will live in your walls, attics, and roof spaces. They seek warmth, water, and food, and can chew through electricals and anything else they fancy. They also breed incredibly fast and prolifically.
Follow the same prevention tips as for cockroaches, avoid debris in your yard or garage, and repair gaps or holes. Cover drains with metal screens and call PPS to effectively control and eliminate rodent issues.
Silverfish. These unique insects don’t carry diseases and are only an issue because they are so destructive. They are found all over the world. They are active at night and chew through everything from carpet to clothing, paper, books, pantry staples, and more. They love damp spaces, thrive in wardrobes, and can contaminate food.
Increase ventilation in your home where possible, use closet camels (Damp Rid or similar), and check rugs, old books, and other items before bringing them into your home. Direct, full summer sun will kill silverfish. If you have an issue with them, call PPS today.
Spiders. Only around 12 spider species in Australia are considered to be household pests. Some are dangerous, with deadly or painful bites (e.g. Funnel Web, Redback, Mouse, Black House, White-Tailed,), while others are harmless but can be prolific in the house or garden (e.g. Wolf, Garden Orb, Huntsman, Trap Door, and Daddy Long Legs).
The best way to control outdoor spider populations and keep them out of your house is to keep insects out of your house – as spiders eat insects. Keep debris away from your home’s exterior as well to discourage spiders from entering your home. If you have more than the occasional spider in your home, or if you have Funnel Webs, Redbacks, or White Tails, call PPS to treat your home and property against spiders.
Termites. In terms of the potential for property damage, this is the most serious pest homeowners on the Sunshine Coast and nearby must prevent.
Proactive Pest Solutions specialises in termite treatment and prevention strategies that work, including installation of termite barriers for the home and the workplace.
Wasps. Problem wasps in Queensland tend to be European wasps or Paper wasps. The former are very aggressive if disturbed. Nests are built under roofs, in eaves, in walls, and underground. A nest may contain as many as one hundred thousand wasps – and, unlike bees, wasps can sting more than once. They are a common pest in Australian homes and they will swarm and sting.
Prevention tips include screening doors and windows and keeping bins covered. Understand that spraying wasps (even a single wasp) will make it angry and it will likely attack before it expires. A large wasp infestation needs professional treatment.
Call Proactive Pest Solutions Now!
Just because these pests are common does not mean they are welcome in your home!
Proactive Pest Solutions is your top local Sunshine Coast pest control company. We are here to not only eliminate pest infestations from the Sunshine Coast to North Brisbane but also to prevent pest problems from occurring in the first place.
Call us at the first hint of a pest problem on your property – from cockroaches in the bathroom to ants in the kitchen, spiders in the eaves to termites in a tree outside (or worse) – we have the ideal approach to say goodbye to pests in the safest, most environmentally friendly way possible.
Be proactive in 2022! Prevention is better than a cure and our proactive approach to pest control means we keep track of when you are due for your regular scheduled routine pest inspections and treatments where required.
Request a quote from us online now via our contact form, or call us directly on 1800 979 611. You can also email us at hello@proactivepestsolutions.com.au.
We look forward to meeting you and helping you say goodbye to pests!
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