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Top 10 Australian Pests

Top 10 Australian HouseHold Pests

Aussies love their homes, but so do some nasty invaders. We’re talking about household pests!

Seeing any sign of pests can send a chill down your spine. From cockroaches to wasps, it is always stressful when they make their way into the home. In this article, we will look at each of the top 10 most common household pests and provide recommendations on how to deal with them should they ever set foot in your home.

Remember when in doubt, or those DIY methods aren’t working you know what to do right? Call in a professional pest control company to help extinquish those bugs for good!

1. Cockroaches

These pests are some of the most notorious invaders of Australian homes. These creepy-crawlers come in various shapes and sizes, but no one wants them at home!

Common species: American and German cockroaches are the prime suspects.

Habitat: They love humidity – kitchens and bathrooms are their favourites.

Known for: Spreading diseases due to their filthy habits.

What they eat: Anything! Cockroach appetites include our food (or crumbs) and cardboard or paper products.

Telltale signs: Droppings or a strange smell? Time for pest control!

Recommendations: Keep surfaces clean & clutter-free to minimize cosy hiding spots for roaches on the prowl.

2. Ants

Ants are a common pest in Australia and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Small but mighty, ants can wreak havoc within your beloved abode!

Common species: Black house ants top the list as culprits you don’t want bothering you.

Habitat: Kitchens remain susceptible since that’s where food is plentiful!

Known for: Forming armies to get a superbly organized move on things – like your pantry snacks.

What they eat: Sugars seem irresistible to these critters; protein sources, too (beware pet

food bowls!).

Telltale signs: Spot a trail? Follow it to find their entry-point (and block it).

Recommendations: Keep food sealed, clean up spills ASAP, and employ natural repellents like vinegar or essential oils.

3. Fleas

Like other household pests, fleas enter our homes primarily through contact with animals like cats and dogs. These minuscule jumping trouble-makers can make your pets (and you!) miserable.

Common species: Cat fleas are the most common even though they bother dogs as well!

Habitat: Lurking in carpets and pet bedding; out for blood – yikes!

Known for: Feasting on hosts while leaving behind annoyingly itchy bites.

What they eat: Your furry friends’ blood!

Telltale signs: Pets scratching excessively? Comb them with a flea comb to check if fleas are hitching a ride.

Recommendations: Regularly treat pets, vacuum floors/carpets/bedding frequently, & wash pet beds often.

4. Termites

Termites (aka white ants) are responsible for whole lot destruction in Aussie homes. As they are attracted to wood and moist environments they tend build their nests around both materials found in homes like with skirting boards walls furniture etc.

Unseen but destructive; termites create slow chaos by devouring wood-based materials in homes/buildings.

Common species: Subterranean termites pose the highest threat due to population density and ability to cause damage swiftly.

Habitat: Prefer dark, damp spots near wood-based structures they can feast on or chew through.

Known for: Damaging buildings/homes undetected until significant damage becomes apparent (terrible surprise!).

What they eat: Cellulose found in timber, paper, cardboard – yummy for them, expensive for you!

Telltale signs: Timber sounds hollow when tapped, termite mud tubes on walls or foundations.

Recommendations: Regular inspections by professionals, reduce excess moisture, store firewood away from the house.

5. Rodents

Rats & mice can come in many different shapes and sizes from large rats to small mice. These opportunistic creatures often enter buildings through cracks in the walls or floorboards, or holes made by plumbing/wiring companies. They love to eat food scraps left around the home, but they can also scavenge food from pet stores, pantries, bins or anyting they can get their hands (or teeth!) on.

They cause havoc with their incessant gnawing and germ-carrying abilities.

Common species: Black rats and house mice are the ones to watch out for.

Habitat: Scavenging any available food and nesting material near warmth or shelter.

Known for: Sneaking bites of your food (and unsanitary droppings) while damaging structures/pipes/wiring – costly nightmares!

What they eat: Just about everything; think cheese moments from “Tom & Jerry.”

Telltale signs: Scampering noises in walls/ceilings or evidence of chewed items/droppings mean rodents are afoot.

Recommendations: Secure entry-points such as holes/cracks with steel wool/putty; hire a professional exterminator if necessary.

6. Bedbugs

Bed bugs are small insects that feed on the blood of humans while they sleep. They like dark corners such as mattresses, bed frames, carpets, wallpaper and furniture. Basically anywhere they can hide during the day time and set out at night when the human sleeps soundly unaware of their presence!

These tiny blood-suckers can hide in bedding & clothing, so keep an eye out on trips away!

Common signs include blood-like stains on sheets that could be excreted form bedbugs after feeding

Common Species:
It’s those sneaky Cimex lectularius that want to share your bed at night– yuck!

Habitat: Furniture seams, mattresses, bed frames & clothing piles are their homes.

Known for: Relentless nighttime bites (think itch-central) leaving you sleepless!

What they eat: Be prepared to squirm – human blood is the answer!

Telltale signs: Itchy red bumps on skin or dark spots/smears on linens could signal a bedbug infestation.

Recommendations: Wash bedding/clothing at high temperatures; employ professional help for persistent populations.

7. Flies

Flies thrive in hot humid climates and are drawn to areas with food residuals, such as kitchen counters, trash cans, drains etc.

These pesky, germ-ridden pests can meet their maker with simple yet effective solutions like fly swats or sticky tape!

Common species in Australia: House flies and blowflies (Flamin Blowies!) are often uninvited guests.

Habitat: Buzzing around kitchens, bins and just about anywhere food waste can be found.

Known for: Carrying diseases and seemingly stalking you in your own home!

What they eat: Decaying materials and waste – ick!

Telltale Signs: If flies have infiltrated your house significantly, chances are something in your yard has attracted them – investigate the source!

Recommendations: Dispose garbage properly & practice immaculate hygiene to eliminate hotbeds of fly attraction.

8. Ticks

Ticks are common nuisance pests throughout Australian homes and gardens and are usually brought into homes by pets such as cats or dogs who go outdoors regularly. These arachnid parasites latch onto pets and outdoor lovers, seeking a blood meal.

Common species: The paralysis tick can cause severe skin irritation or even paralysis in severe cases.

Habitat: Hiding & waiting for a host within tall grasses or bushland areas frequented by pets/humans.

Known for: Being determined to latch on and stay put while engorging themselves (eww)!

What they eat: Hosts’ blood (double eww).

Telltale signs: Check yourself/your pet carefully after walks in tick-prone areas; watch out for an attached tick!

Recommendations: Employ tick prevention measures like collars or sprays, promptly remove any found ticks & consult a veterinarian if needed.

9. Wasps

Wasps often build nests around siding cracks or porch’s or roofing due convenient location and easy access to treats and food during summer time months.

They can give painful stings found at the rear of these airborne pests mean serious business!

Common species: European wasps pack an unpleasant punch!

Habitat: Paper-thin nests often found high up under eaves or inside hollows – watch with caution.

Known For: Aggressively protecting their nest with stings that double as defense mechanisms – ouch!

What they eat: Cannibalistic tendencies include feasting on insects; also keen on sweet human food/sources!

Telltale Signs: Spot a nest? If it’s active, prepare to deal with feisty wasps or call a professional.

Recommendations: Remove any potential food attractants, take caution in close proximity to nests. If discovered, seek help if you don’t feel confident removing a nest yourself.

10. Spiders

Spiders are arachnids and some species of spiders can be considered a nuisance in Australian households.  Although many spiders are harmless to humans, some highly venomous species have Australia on edge.

Common species: Sydney funnel-web and redback are two dangerous ones.

Habitat: Dark corners & hiding spots within your home/garden – beware!

Known for:
Packing painful bites and injecting venom on occasions – keep an eye out for the nastier crew members!

What they eat
Sharing our disdain for flies/cockroaches by making them the daily special; spiders have their benefits as pest control!

Telltale Signs
Cobwebs cropping up indoors? Time to investigate further!

Recommendations:
Keep your place clean & clutter-free; practice caution when moving objects that have remained undisturbed outdoors (especially woodpiles) – as these may be spider homes!

Conclusion

So there you have it! All the info you need about Australia’s Top 10 Household Pests right at your fingertips. Keep these facts handy and steer clear of unwanted hitchhikers keen on invading your precious living spaces!

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