The Top Australian Household Insect Pests

There are many different kinds of household insect pests, so it is important to know which one you are dealing with. In this article, we will cover Mosquitoes, Termites, Portuguese millipedes, and Cockroaches. Hopefully, this information will help you choose the right treatment for your particular situation.

Contents

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are among the most common household insects in Australia, and they live in warm, damp environments. They prefer homes where they can find food, water, and shelter. They also like to live in woodpiles, garbage cans, and attics. Their droppings can cause eczema in children.

Cockroaches come in several different species, each with their own distinct life cycle. These pests are adapted to different habitats, and some are better suited to certain types of conditions than others. Despite their widespread distribution, most cockroaches live indoors, though they can also be found outdoors. They prefer damp, dark environments, and they often live in sheds and mulched areas.

While mainly living outdoors, Australian cockroaches can also infest buildings by eating decaying organic materials. Therefore, it is important to prevent these pests from entering your home. You can prevent them from entering your home by sealing off cracks and gaps around doors. You can also check for cracks by using sticky card monitors.

Cockroaches are dangerous insects and their presence in your home can cause allergic reactions. The allergens released by cockroaches can be ingested, and they can cause respiratory problems. More severe reactions can result in anaphylactic shock, which can be life-threatening.

The best way to prevent infestations of cockroaches is sanitation and exclusion. You can seal off entry points with plastic wood or caulking compound. In addition, you can install tight doors and windows. Also, make sure your home has a good ventilation system.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are one of the most common household pests in Australia. These pesky insects are annoying to say the least. Their high-pitched drone makes them difficult to ignore, and their bites are unpleasant. They tend to attack during dusk or when people are trying to relax. Unfortunately, they often come back despite swatting attempts. Mosquitoes thrive in humid, warm climates and usually hang around water sources. They can develop from an egg to an adult mosquito in as little as four days.

Mosquitoes are persistent and can be hard to control. Luckily, there are several methods of controlling mosquitoes, including applying insecticides and foggers. Keeping the windows closed will help keep mosquitoes away, as will using fly screens and pouring out stagnant water. If these steps are not effective, contact a pest control service in Australia.

Bed bugs

Adult bed bugs live up to six months in Australia. Their females lay up to 200 – 500 eggs during their lifetime (source). These eggs hatch after five to ten days in warm conditions, but may remain dormant for longer periods in cooler temperatures. Once hatched, the bugs will infest new areas. Chemical and non-chemical treatments can be effective in killing bedbugs.

A common sign of a bed bug infestation is itchy skin. These pests are often mistaken for mosquito bites or fleas, and may be hard to detect if you have an infestation. The most common symptoms are small bumps, redness, and swelling of the skin. If left untreated, bedbugs can cause infection. Make sure to wash bed linen and other fabric in hot water and dry them in high temperatures. Remove any loose or old clothing from furniture drawers. If there are visible insects, seal mattresses and curtains in dark plastic or place them under hot sun to prevent future infestation.

Treatment for bed bugs should target the infestation’s source and kill them completely. If you can’t identify where the pests are hiding, consider calling in a pest control company to assist. Alternatively, you can try vacuuming the bed to trap the bugs and remove them. Chemical treatments can also be applied to the bed frames. However, it is important to do the vacuuming before applying any chemical treatments to ensure that the chemical reaches the infestation site. This will help the chemical treatment penetrate the area and kill the bugs.

Termites

To reduce the risk of termites, you should conduct a regular pest control inspection. Check for hollowed out wood and frass (termite droppings) and take measures to remove these objects. Termites are often attracted to moist and damp conditions, so it’s best to keep your house free of these things. Also, make sure your drainage system is working properly and keep your gutters and standpipes clear of any debris.

Spiders

Spiders are one of the most common household pests in Australia. They can grow to a length of two or three centimetres and are most commonly found in backyards and gardens. They can also be found hanging from rafters and roof overhangs. While they may seem harmless, they can cause a lot of discomfort if they bite you. These pests can cause a variety of symptoms, including pain and swelling.

Funnel-web spider

The funnel-web spider is a medium-sized insect with venom sacs and fangs. They can reach lengths of one to two inches or 2.54 to five centimeters, and are typically black or brown. These spiders live in moist, sheltered locations, and build their webs on the ground. They have long spinnerets and a shiny carapace. Female funnel-web spiders are much smaller than males, and have smaller legs.

Funnel-web spiders are commonly found in Sydney and the central coast. While they rarely infest homes, they can be an annoyance and are a common insect pest. While they are mainly found on the ground, some funnel-webs inhabit trees. The largest funnel-web spider, the Northern Tree Funnel-web spider, can reach a body length of about four to five centimeters and lives in wet forests in northern Australia. In some cases, funnel-web spiders are found 30 meters or more above ground. Other funnel-web spiders live in the deadwood pipe of large forest trees, where they feed on insects and beetles.

Funnel-web spiders prefer moist, cool habitats, such as rotting logs or tree stumps. They also prefer dense shrubbery areas, and rarely venture into open situations. Funnel-web spiders have irregular silk trip-lines around their body, which alert them of potential prey.

Funnel-web spiders are venomous, and the venom from a funnel-web spider’s bite is deadly to mammals, reptiles, and humans. Funnel-web spiders are most poisonous during their mating season, when males leave their burrows to seek females.

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Ants

There are approximately 3000 species of ants in Australia, and they nest in many different places, including homes. Their presence can be extremely annoying for the occupants of a home. They can also cause damage to a home, removing soil from brick paving and concrete, leading to cracks and subsidence. They can also eat planted seeds. Additionally, some species of ants may be carriers of diseases.

If you find ants in your home, you should know the difference between species and identify them accordingly. Identifying the type of ant you’re dealing with will help you formulate a more effective ant removal plan.

Millipedes

Millipedes have hundreds, if not thousands of legs. Millipedes are mostly solitary, but they can form large swarms. Although they are harmless to humans, they can damage gardens.

Millipedes are active at night and attracted to light. You will often find them on walls and other light-coloured surfaces. When squashed, they produce a pungent odor. Although most people find millipedes unappealing and a nuisance, they are also highly adaptable and can do amazing feats in large numbers.

Millipedes are found throughout Australia. During hot weather, they remain in the soil, feeding on decaying wood, leaf litter, and fungi. Their lifespan is about two years, and they can grow up to 350 pairs of legs. Portuguese millipedes first showed up in Australia in Port Lincoln, South Australia, in 1953 (source). They are endemic throughout southern Australia, but lack natural predators. In the 1970s, residents of that area had to remove them by buckets (source).

Millipedes are generally harmless to humans, but occasionally they can make their way into your home. If you suspect you have a millipede infestation, you can use an insecticide to kill them. Insecticides with residual action are also effective. Make sure you use a chemical that is safe for children and pets and is approved for use on your property.

Giant centipede

Giant centipedes are unique Australian insect pests that come in different colors. They are nocturnal and grow to be up to 16 cm long with 23 pairs of legs (source). They are found throughout Australia except for Tasmania. They are venomous and kill both other insects and mammals. Although there have been no reported human deaths from these creatures, they are a serious health risk.

The Giant Centipede is a pest of many kinds of plants, and it is not always easy to get rid of it. It can infest your garden and cause serious damage to your plants. It can also contaminate water. If you find it in your garden, be sure to call a pest control company to get rid of it.

The first step in preventing this pest is to seal all entrances. Centipedes are attracted to places with excess moisture.