Common Australian Pests – A Quick Guide

Australia’s diverse flora and fauna attracts nature-loving travellers from around the world to the country. However, this diversity also means that a lot of the pests that you may encounter in the country are rather different to deal with than other countries. Now, it is important to note that contrary to popular belief, these pests aren’t as prevalent, and you are unlikely to encounter anything more than a couple bugs during your time here. However, it is always best to be well prepared! Here, we’ll talk about a few common pests you may encounter on your travels in Australia and some easy ways to keep them at bay.

Where did these pests come from?

Most pest animals were brought in by initial European settlers and introduced into the Australian ecosystem either by accident, as livestock or to help the settlers navigate their new homeland. Over time however, these species have proven detrimental to the Australian wildlife causing the extinction of many native species, destruction of fauna and people’s property. And some pests are just a straight-up nuisance. 

What pests should I be most concerned about?

Most common house pests though will just be either insects, small animals or reptiles that are, more often than not, harmless.

Here are some very common Australian pests and some products that might help you keep them at bay.

Mosquitoes:

Mosquitoes are a nuisance in many countries and Australia, with its tropical weather, is no different. They’re considered the most dangerous pest in the country due to their ability to spread many different kinds of diseases. Often around in urban settings, it is the female mosquito that seeks other animals for their blood so that it can reproduce. 

Prevalent during dawn and dusk times, they’re attracted to darker colours. If you see some mozzies coming on, make sure that you turn a fan on (mosquitoes aren’t big fans of moving air) and start using a topical insect repellent that is free from DEET. 

If you have a mosquito problem, you will notice it however, to prevent any mosquitoes from breeding in and around your home, make sure that there is no standing water for them to lay eggs in.

Termites: 

As one of the most destructive house pests in Australia, termites need to be taken seriously because the damage they cause can be a hefty one to fix! Recent research suggests that 1 out of 4 houses in Australia will be affected by termites at least once. If you think that your home might be under attack from these pesky insects, make sure to take action immediately because the longer you wait, the worse the damage can get.

These tiny ant-like insects will probably not be visible to you however, there will be signs that termites have been feeding on wood in your house. Watch out for: 

– Thin or hollow wood: If you see wood around your home deteriorating very fast, it is probably a sign of damage from a termite infestation.

– Mud tunnels: Termites are not big fans of the sun. This means that mostly when they come into your property from the outside, they will leave trace, in the form of a tunnel of mud that they must’ve used to enter.

– Tapping/munching sounds: Termites are rather loud when they’re feasting on wood so usually if you hear any soft tapping or munching noises inside the walls, etc., it is a big sign that the termite infestation has begun and you need to react immediately!

Spiders:

Mostly just intimidating and annoying, most venomous spiders don’t actually have enough toxic juices to affect a human being. Thanks to the development of an effective anti-venom, there has only been 1 reported death by a spider bite in Australia since 1979. They can, however, still be a nuisance when they come into your home weaving webs around making your dwelling look unruly. 

Spiders like to hang out in small, dark and warm spaces so you will usually find them inside cracks in the wall, corners, vents, or behind objects in the garden. Fill in any wall cracks to eliminate the spaces they can reside in. If, you find any constructed webs, knocking them down will discourage spiders and push them to move on from that area. You can also use insect repellent sprays or insect repellent plants to ward spiders off. Getting rid of any other insects may also be effective as that eliminates spiders’ food source.

Possums:

As cities get larger and larger, the possum habitat gets smaller and smaller. This pushes them to start living in our attics, gardens and roofs. It is important to get possums out of your property as soon as they are spotted, as they can cause damage to the infrastructure of the house or leave a mess behind that you will then have to clean up. Possums are a protected species in Australia and must be dealt with according to council guidelines. It is best to call for help when looking to remove a possum off your premises. You can also look into installing a nesting box in your garden to give possums a comfy and cosy home so they do not invade yours.

Rodents (Rats & Mice):

Rats and Mice can cause a lot of damage to your property and health. Carriers of many different kinds of diseases, they can contaminate your food and water sources and cause major damage to the walls, floors, electrical wiring and insulation in your home.

One great way to figure out if you have a mice/rat issue is their droppings around your home or a very unpleasant smell of urine. While trying to get rid of them, it is necessary that all food sources for them have been eliminated as that will help the deterring method you are using. Once that is done, use deterrents or traps to get rid of the rodents. Once you are certain that the premises are free of rodents, ratproof them by plugging or filling in any openings that could be used as entry points by them. A great way to do this is to use some copper mesh.

Ants:

Even though most ants are harmless, some species bite humans and even carry diseases! Generally entering your home looking for food, ants usually get attracted to open food sources or muggy food remnants. To get rid of an infestation, it is best to start by blocking off their entry point into your home, wiping off any sticky food residues and covering any foods that might be out in the open. Insecticides may be used for an infestation that is getting out of hand and needs to be controlled however, be sure to use it carefully/switch to natural alternatives when using it around pets or children.

Cockroaches:

Generally hiding in bathrooms, kitchens and other wall cavities, cockroaches will be noticeable at nighttime as they begin their hunt for food in your home. As the Australian climate is favourable to cockroaches, it is important that you keep an eye out for them in your home. They can carry a large number of diseases like Salmonella, Dysentary, and Gastro-enteritis, that can be fatal and adversely affect your physical well-being. Their excrement can also pose a threat to children, increasing the risk of asthma and eczema. 

To prevent cockroaches from breeding in your space, make sure to clean up any crumbs and have all food sources sealed/covered. If you do spot an infestation, getting rid of it at a small scale is easy by just using insect sprays etc. However, please use them with caution around children and pets. For a largescale infestation, it may be best to contact a professional.

Snakes: 

There are a wide variety of snakes in Australia. While most of them are rather harmless, there are some breeds of snakes that can be extremely deadly and even fatal with just one blow. Even though they are present, city dwellers will probably never see one as they prefer living in rural Australia around forests and sheltered grasslands. The only reason a snake would enter a building is if they are in search for some food, shelter or to protect themselves during floods. If you do end up near a snake, make sure you are cautious as they will attack if they feel threatened.

The presence of rodents on your property can attract snakes as they are a great food source for snakes. To protect yourself and your family from snakes, it is important that you eradicate these pests first. If snakes have come onto your property, it is important that you contact a professional to have them removed and to seek advice on the danger the snake may pose.

During your nature adventures in Australia, it is best to keep an eye out for any of these pests that may pose a threat to you or your loved ones.

Images courtesy Pestrol