The 5 Most Common Household Pests In NSW
New South Wales, and Australia as a whole, are beautiful, almost pristine landscapes, rich in wildlife. It should come as no surprise, then, that the beautiful state is blessed with some annoying and destructive household critters occupying the land!
While Australia has the reputation for numerous venomous and ‘deadly’ creatures, most pests found in the home are more inconvenient than life threatening but it is still important to identify them early so, that they can be eradicated or managed.
What is a household pest?
As the name suggests, household pests are identified unwanted animals or insects inhabiting your household and grounds. These pests generally cause nuisance and potential damage to your property and are drawn to residential properties to take shelter, feed, and breed.
Pest Reports
Identifying pests, especially termites, is a specialised process and requires expert equipment and inspections. Your local pest experts, Vital Buildings & Pest Inspections, will use a variety of traditional and modern methods to identify and determine the severity of the termite infestation and then recommend the best course of action to eradicate the infestation. A report of the infestation will be generated and will generally include the following information:
- Action plan outlining the steps going forward to eradicate the termites
- Details of where the termites are active in the property
- Photographs of the property damage
- Details of the structural repairs required
The 5 most common household pests
There are numerous pests that can be identified in your home. If you suspect there is an infestation in your home, a building inspector can help you identify the species, the damage they have caused or can cause, and ways to deal with them. Read our compiled list below to help you distinguish between different pests and take steps to removing them.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are one of the most common household pests in NSW. They are drawn to damp conditions and take shelter in residential homes for comfort and warmth, especially during the winter months from June – August. Cockroaches are known for carrying a variety of diseases, including gastro-intestinal viruses, and these diseases have the potential to be transmitted to humans through contact with food.
Cockroaches are drawn to leftover food, cardboard, and food scraps. In order to avoid attracting cockroaches in your home, clean up all food after use, clean benchtops and keep rubbish clean and tidy. If you discover evidence of cockroaches in your home, contact your local pest control experts to organise an extermination.
Spiders
Australia is home to over 2000 different species of spider. Of these species, some are venomous, and some are not. Sydney specifically is home to the venomous Sydney Funnel Web spider. It can be hard to determine whether a spider is venomous or not, so it’s best to leave them alone and organise a pest expert to remove them.
Spiders are most likely to set up quiet, secluded spaces, such as behind bookcases, lounges, and in roof corners. They are also found in gardens, stacks of firewood and around household structures. While spider infestations are not generally a massive issue, they do need to be addressed in order to reduce the risk of serious injury.
Termites
Termites are one of the most annoying and destructive household pests in New South Wales. It is estimated that at least 1 in 4 households will have an experience with termites at some point during its lifetime. Termite damage and infestation is a serious problem and needs to be addressed as soon as it is discovered.
Termites prefer warmer climates, so are more common in mainland houses such as in Sydney and Newcastle, NSW, but they can be found in any climate that is warm. The main problem with having termites in your property is that they eat away at the interior and exterior wooden structural foundation, causing it to become unstable and unsafe in the areas that have been affected. This can make your home inhabitable until the pests have been eradicated and the damage repaired, hence why early identification is key.
Ants
When you’re cleaning your kitchen or bathroom, you may notice small black creatures wandering around or tiny specs of what seems like dust in the corners of your benches and floors. This can be an indication that you have an ant infestation.
Ants are more of a nuisance than a health hazard, but should be treated, nonetheless. Ants generally enter residential properties in search of food. They are particularly attracted to substances with sweet or sugary content.
The concern with ants in the home is that, although most species don’t carry diseases, when they enter your home and walk around, you don’t know what bacteria or viruses they may be carrying in from outside while foraging.
Generally, ant infestations can be easily managed, by firstly identifying the type of ant species. This can be done by taking a photo of the creature and sending onto your local pest expert for identification. They can then attend your premises and use the appropriate methods to eradication the ants, their colony and their nest.
Rodents (mice and rats)
Mice and rats are another common household pest. Nearly every single home will experience some form of rodent problem at some point. Both mice and rats are common in nearly every state in Australia, but they are particularly populated in regional and rural areas of NSW, due to the increase in food production and farming.
The biggest threat with a rodent infestation or plague is human-transmissible disease or infection. They breed very rapidly and, if not controlled, infestations can get out of hand very quickly. Droppings from rodents can produce a foul smell and their foraging and scratching can cause damage to your furniture and the interior of your home.
Mice in particular like to build their nests in warm, dark areas, such in within lounges, hole in walls, and at the back of cupboards. If you find any evidence of rodents in your home, you need to act quickly. Contact your local pest control experts and they can determine the best solution to eradicate the creatures.
How to reduce the risk of getting household pests
No matter the household pest, there are some simple prevention steps you can take to reduce the risk of any pest entering your home and making it their own.
- Keep rubbish and food scraps tied up and disposed of with tight lids.
- Keep food in sealed containers in your cupboards.
- Seal potential openings to your home such as holes and cracks.
- Keep your home exterior clean and tidy and free from debris and rubbish.
- Keep household pet areas clean and tidy and don’t leave pet food out overnight.
Choosing Vital Building Inspections Sydney for your household pest infestations
If you discover that your home has fallen victim to household pests, it’s best to call in the experts at Vital Building Inspections Sydney to get the problem under control, early. With over 20 years’ experience in the industry, our team has seen it all and can provide you with value insights and solutions. Make an enquiry online by clicking here today or get in touch with our team on 0401 012 074 and we can help you identify the pests that are affecting your home.
