Humans make nice homes. So much so that other animals also like to make their home inside the house. Learning to remove them from the home is very important because house pests carry diseases or cause significant damage to the home. In this article, we look at what are household pests, provide a list of house pests and learn how to remove and prevent house pests.
What’s Defined as a House Pest?
The definition of a house pest is rather simple. It is an animal, whether that is a mammal, bird, reptile, or invertebrate that is undesirable within a property.
There are numerous reasons why a house pest might be undesirable. For example, there are some pests like mosquitoes that cause diseases and harm humans within the home. Then there are some animals like termites that can cause damage to the home.
However, there are some animals, like rodents that can cause damage to property/the home as well as spread disease around the home.
What is important to note is that house pests have the potential, not definitely cause. For instance, not all mosquitoes will spread disease. However, they have the potential.
List of Australia’s Common Household Pests and Their Impact on your Home
There are different types of house pests in Australia. Here is a quick reference to those types of household pests that you might come across in the home.
Ants
Ants are a common pest because they can infest buildings by building nests in them or they can invade homes to find food. As a result, they can spread disease and damage property.
Termites
One in five Australian homes suffer from a termite infestation. Termites eat wood and can cause significant structural damage to a home. Termite infestations start small but can become hard to control if well-established.
Bedbugs
These little insects are a common problem within the home. Regular cleaning can prevent an infestation that can cause disease and pain. Bedbugs can be found throughout the home, but are often found in beds.
Cockroaches
There are thousands of cockroaches across the world. However, there are only about eight species that are problematic for humans. Cockroaches are attracted to leftover food. When wandering over surfaces they can spread diseases.
European Wasps
These wasps are more aggressive than native species and they can set up in a home by building nests and are also attracted to sweet foods/drinks. They can sting those who get too close and they deem a threat.
Fleas
Fleas are a common problem for those living in Australia when they have a cat. However, there is also the potential to get these when you have a dog. Fleas can spread diseases with ease.
Rodents
Rodents, including mice and rats, are a common pest and the most common one that pest controllers are called for. They can cause damage to wood through gnawing. At the same time, they can spread disease and eat food stores.
Possums
Similar to rodents, possums can make a home in a roof space, cause damage to property and spread diseases.
Spiders
Spiders cause very little damage and are probably not one of the major problems. However, a bite from several spiders can cause nasty reactions and possibly death. So often it is best to remove them from the home.
Snakes
Snakes don’t cause too much trouble. Though they are known to spread diseases and some are venomous where the bite can cause significant injury or even death. Most snakes enter a home because they’re hunting another household pest, like a rodent.
House Pests Prevention
Prevention for house pests is always better than a cure. Luckily, several tactics can help homeowners to prevent pests from gaining access to a home.
Clean Waste Food
The number one reason why so many of the pests on the list enter the home is that they are searching for food. Cockroaches, mice, rats, and possums will seek out leftovers that have been left on the sides, in open bins, and even in cupboards.
Ensuring that all food items are in secure storage is the first part of preventing an infestation of any insect.
Reduce Access
Another feature is to ensure there are no holes or other access points to the home or outside buildings. Even the smallest hole can allow some pests inside. You can speak to pest controllers or building contractors about possible access points and what you can put into a home to prevent this.
Ultrasound/Vibrations
Some pest control devices emit a sound/vibration that will deter some unwanted house guests. These are usually preferred over other items because they are relatively safe for children and other animals. We offer 2 devices that emit these vibrations. The Ultrasonic Pest Repellers and the Battery and Solar Snake Repeller.
Motion - Activated Devices
Some devices an infrared sensor to detect the body heat of animals and birds. Once triggered, it deploys a startling burst of water combined with unexpected noise and motion creating a safe, highly effective deterrent against all kinds of pests. Envirobug Garden Sentinel Motion-activated animal sprinkler is available on site to repel pests silently around the clock!
Smells
There are numerous smells that some pests will detest. Garlic is a common smell that pests don’t like but can also include some flowers and mothballs.
Natural Deterrents
There are some natural deterrents like chickens, cats, and dogs that will deter some pests from entering the home. For example, rats, mice, and snakes will not enter a garden with lots of chickens in them.
How to Get Rid of Pests in Houses in Australia?
There are numerous ways that you can get rid of pests in the Australian home. Some of them include lots of the prevention techniques that are mentioned above. One of the big differences is when you have termites and ants.
For small insects like termites and ants, it is best to use a bait that will be taken back to the nest and kill the queen quickly. If a queen of the nest is killed, it won’t be long before the nest dies. Envirobug offers good termites and ant killers that can do this job.
But if in doubt, it is important to consider calling a pest controller for your home.
Conclusion
House pests are a problem across Australia. Numerous pests can inhabit the home and getting them removed can be harder than preventing them from accessing the home. Use the above information to help you identify and remove pests from your home.
FAQ:
- What is the most common pest in Australia?
Termites are the most common pest in Australia. They can inhabit one in five homes and can cause significant damage. This damage, once done, is expensive to repair and insurance will seldom cover the repairs.
