Australia is famous the world over for its variety of unique and interesting wildlife, and yet one area in which this country goes from fame to infamy is its pests. You may wish to go for an adventure into the outback, the forest, or the sun-baked plains to experience the beauty of the scenery and the creatures that live there. Yet you don’t want any taking up residence in your home.
At the same time, Australia can get a bad rep for having a terrifying amount of poisonous and scary critters that people think they will encounter everywhere they go. Read on to discover the truth about Australia’s pests, and just how common they really are…
What are the different types of pests in Australia?
There are many different types of pests in Australia, some that can be more harmful to your health, and others that may do more damage to your property. It is important to remember that all pests are dangerous in their own way, even when they are not actually poisonous or likely to bite.
Pests cause all kinds of problems for you, your family, and your home, and it is essential that any infestation is dealt with immediately. Indeed, the best way to deal with pests is to take preventative measures to try and stop them from getting a foot, or a leg, in the door in the first place.
Trying to take care of your own pest control can often be like trying to hold back the tide with a leaky bucket. Expending a great deal of time and effort for very little impact. If you truly want to protect your home from the many pests in Australia, choose a company like Expert Pest Control in the Blue Mountains. They can both prevent and eradicate infestations quickly and effectively.
The key types of pests to watch out for in Australia are:
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are a huge problem in Australia, making their way into homes through any crack or crevasse and setting up massive colonies wherever they can. They eat your food, but also all kinds of other things like cardboard and glue, and are a nightmare to get rid of once you have them. It can be tricky to spot a cockroach infestation, so watch out for signs they are there, such as their leavings, a bad odour, or smear marks.
Termites
Arguably the most expensive pests in Australia, termites cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to homes across Australia each year. They can burrow into your walls, floors, and furniture, consuming the wood as they go. If you don’t get rid of these pests quickly you will regret it, as the cost of the damage they can do far exceeds the cost of professional pest control.
Rats and mice
Rats and mice pose a huge risk to health by spreading disease, as well as the damage they can do to your wiring, furniture, and your home. These common pests are difficult to deal with by yourself, often fairly adept at avoiding traps unless they are expertly placed and baited by a top pest control firm.
Ants
While a couple of ants here and there may not seem like that big of a deal, these pests again live in huge colonies, so if you see a few it is likely you have a much larger problem. There are a number of treatments that pest control companies can utilise both inside your home and out. These work to prevent an all-out infiltration by these pests, and to prevent them from returning any time soon.
Fleas
Fleas can be a tricky pest to get rid of as they can lie dormant for so long. You may think you have defeated this common pest, only to find that you are infested once again a few months later once a new crop of eggs hatch. They can leave irritating bites, as well as causing harm to your pets, furnishings, and of course to you.
Spiders
Australia is home to thousands of species of spider, and you wouldn’t really be thrilled with any of them in your home. Some spiders are poisonous, while far more will still give irritating bites, many of which can be extremely painful. Each type of spider has different habits, and different treatments that work best to get rid of them. This is another key reason to call for expert pest control if you spot an infestation in your home.
What is the most common pest in Australia?
While all of the above pests are common in Australia, and it is tough to stack each individual flea or termite up to see which is more common, the cockroach is arguably number one. They are universally despised and instantly recognisable, though if you see one, it is pretty much guaranteed that there are many more that you haven’t seen yet.
Cockroaches tend to live in colonies, and a single female can produce 300 offspring, and this figure will keep growing exponentially. Before you know it, you could have thousands of cockroaches in your home, something to truly shudder at. Watch out for signs of cockroaches as well as the insects themselves, and don’t hesitate to bring in expert pest control to deal with the infestation right away.
What is the rarest pest in Australia?
It can be tough to identify the rarest of pests in Australia, as there are sure to be rare appearances of all sorts of animals and insects that sneak or accidentally run into your home. Some homeowners are sure to report a particular bird or creature that has got inside their house and needs to be removed.
Out of the common types of pests, however, the rarest are probably poisonous spiders. While this may be surprising to many, the idea that Australia is packed to bursting with poisonous spiders is not true. There are certainly a great many spiders here, with thousands of different species to choose from. And yet it is rather unlikely that you will find a poisonous spider in your home.
If you are so unlucky as to find yourself with such a spider, or if you are unsure in any way what kind you have, don’t hesitate to contact expert pest control to remove it for you right away.
Final thoughts
Australia is home to many different types of pests, all of which can cause serious damage to your property, as well as harm to you and your family. While less dangerous than perhaps many people think, this country’s pests can still cause quite enough problems.
Any infestation should be instantly dealt with by a professional pest control company, ensuring the problem will be dealt with as effectively and efficiently as possible.