Most Common Pests

WARNING: Most of these can be found in your homes!

Every Australian homeowner will agree getting rid of pests is one of the most challenging aspects of housekeeping. Not only can they be destructive to our properties, but these creatures may also bring health issues because of the dirt they carry. 

We consider our homes as our comfort spaces, and we try our hardest to maintain the cleanliness, structure, and even design of our houses. And in doing so, it is important to learn a thing or two about these unwanted house guests we are itching (pun intended!) to evict. 

Biology Online defined pest as a general term for organisms that can damage or consume food crops and other materials important to humans. What we find in our homes are commonly called household pests which refer to insects, mammals, and other vermin. These pests can invade houses, damage clothes and belongings, eat human food, and are also believed to cause illnesses such as allergic reaction and asthma. 

According to the Australian Insects Website, Australia has approximately 220,000 different species of insects and this is highly attributable to its geographical location. Australia, with massive rainforests, coastline, and extreme weather conditions, is a known home to a wide variety of both dangerous and harmless crawling creatures. 

The same website has also shared the following data: Australia has more than 50 species of stick and leaf insects, 162 species of mantis, 250 species of cicadas, 348 species of termites, 428 species of cockroaches, 550 species of shieldbugs, 2,827 species of crickets and grasshoppers, 4,000 species of ants, 7,786 species of flies, 20,816 species of butterflies and moths, and 28,200 species of beetles.

But what exactly are those we keep crossing paths with at home? Before we go to our list of Australia’s most common pests, please take note there are plenty of DIY preventive measures you can also try at home but if these pests are already too much to handle, you can always count on reliable pest control services available in your area.  

Here are the top 7 most common pests across Australia: 

1. Ants 

Image by: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 

Ants are probably one of the most common house insects in Australia, and in the world. And while they are considered to be harmless in general, they can really be irksome. Ants usually invade a house to search for food. You already know these insects enjoy sweets and proteins, right? That explains why they are quick to feast on even the smallest bit of food you accidentally drop on the floor. Once they find their food source, in this case, your kitchen, they will start building their colony. 

Australia has more than 4,000 species of ants. The most common types we usually find in our homes are either Black House Ants or Coastal Brown Ants. 

Native to Australia and Asia, Black House Ants are very small black ants. They usually hide under logs and stones when outdoors and camp around electrical boxes and cavity walls when indoors. 

Coastal Brown Ants, also called big-headed ants, can often be seen in gardens and lawns, and along sidewalks. These ants have become quite invasive that the Government of Western Australia said they were the major nuisance ant species in the region in 2020.

Just a reminder, bites from ants can be quite painful and may also cause allergic reactions. Bull Ants, found everywhere in Australia, are perfect examples. 

2. Rodents (rats and mice) 

Image by: PestWorld.ORG 

Do you sometimes hear scratches and squeaks coming from your ceiling or roof? Or perhaps hear some quick little feet running around the house? These are definitely rats and mice. House mice, roof rats, and Norway rats are the most common types of rodents in Australia. 

Rats and mice may cause massive damages to your properties. They can gnaw on nearly everything–cable wires, boxes and cardboards, plastic bags and containers, and the list goes on. They are also considered health hazards to humans, their urine, in particular, can cause diseases. They can contaminate our food, utensils and other kitchen supplies, which can get people sick. 

Rodents can be our real enemies at home. So, you better watch out for these gnawers! 

3. Cockroaches 

Image by: FOODAL 

There are more than 428 species of cockroaches in Australia, and are considered as some of the most pervasive house bugs in the whole country. 

They love staying in damp spaces, also the reason why they are often seen on bathroom floors and kitchen sinks. They tend to seek warmth inside our houses, especially on colder days. 

Most people describe them as disgusting insects, and it’s true! Similar to rats and mice, cockroaches can also spread diseases. They can invade human food easily, especially since they come out mostly after dark. 

The World Health Organization has identified Gastroenteritis, Salmonella, and Dysentery as some of the most common diseases transmitted by cockroaches. Their droppings may also increase the risk of asthma and eczema among kids. 

4. Spiders 

Image by: The Spruce 

Spiders can be pretty attractive, especially for curious kids but we have to keep in mind that they can be dangerous too. Some types are actually poisonous, although generally, their venom does not have sufficient toxins that can harm humans. Still, we need to be careful when we encounter these creatures at home or outdoors. 

Australia has more than 2,000 species of spiders, and some of the most poisonous types can be found in the country. 

While they are not the type to damage our house, they can be a real nuisance to those who do not want to see spider webs hanging on their wine racks, bookshelves, ceilings, and wardrobes. 

5. Fleas 

Image by: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

Fleas aren’t just bad news to humans, but to our pets too. Animals infested by fleas may experience severe discomfort as they can get really itchy. Oh, our poor fur babies! 

Another thing to learn about fleas, they can transmit parasites like tapeworms if you or your pet gets bitten. They love humid and warm spaces, if they enter your house they will most likely be found in your furniture and upholstery, clothes, bedding, carpets, couches and chairs. Anywhere that can make them warm! 

The real problem with fleas is they multiply quickly. A single female flea can produce hundreds of eggs. Quite worrying, right? Even if you discover only one of these insects inside your home, you need to act on it quickly. You may not want to find the mother flea giving birth in your favourite carpet or bedding. 

6. Bed bugs 

Image by: PestWorld.ORG 

Did you know bed bugs have become more and more common in Australia in recent years? And while they may be incredibly little, bed bugs can create huge damages at home. 

You may have experienced this already, but if you wake up one day and find blood on your sheets while your skin feels itchy, it is most probably the bed bugs’ work, you can use a bed bug monitor to confirm. 

Bed bugs do bite since their main source of food is blood, and blood helps them complete their life cycles and in their reproduction.

They became quite pervasive and this prompted the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association to develop the Bed Bug Code of Practice, which serves as guidelines for controlling the said pests. 

The most common types of bed bugs that we often see at home are the common bed bug and tropical bed bug. They are basically nocturnal and love hiding in spots that can’t be easily seen such as carpets, bed frames, mattresses, and even clothes. 

7. Termites 

Image by: Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment 

Last on our list are considered the most destructive pest in Australia– termites! The most recent research has shown that 1 out of 5 Australian homes are infested and damaged by termites. It is also said that the termite control costs in Australia now range between $250 to $3500. 

Quite a hefty amount, right? And the worst part is your house can get badly damaged. So, if you happen to find traces of termites in your homes or anywhere near your residences, you need to take action quickly. 

Most homeowners also mistake termites for ants, hence postponing immediate action. We advise you to familiarize yourselves with the characteristics of termites, as these can cause serious problems later on. 

Remember, termites aren’t the house guests we can deliberately ignore! 

There are more than 348 species of termites in Australia. The subterranean termites, dampwood termites, and drywood termites are the three most common types that cause the most trouble to Australian homeowners. 

Subterranean termites are the type that builds their nests underground and are considered the most common and most destructive type of termites that can be found at home. 

The drywood and dampwood termites are the ones who live inside the woods they’re consuming. Just a fun fact! Dampwood termites tend to leave woods that are no longer wet, so they are expected to bring lesser inconvenience compared to the drywood types. And also, a piece of advice, it will be better if you constantly check on the woods at home and immediately repair what it is that makes them wet. 

Unlike the other pests on this list, termites are difficult to handle on your own and it would be best if you delegate the job to professionals or experts. Doing it alone is a rather impractical move and will just most likely waste your time and efforts. 

We understand you can get too busy with various things and simply setting an appointment with a home service can also be quite a nuisance.

Some things you can consider when looking for pest control services: 

• Allows you to schedule quickly so you can also get rid of your pests at home quickly. With today’s technology, everything can be done in just a few clicks. You can check the availability of the services and prices online. You can book and finalize an appointment either on your phones, tablets, or laptops. 

• Find those that you can book one-time and can also offer quarterly services. One-time booking is fine, and we also don’t want you calling them from time to time because of your recurring pests problems. But it will also be better if they offer quarterly services, in case you need it for maintenance and emergency situations. That way, you don’t have to repeat the process again.

• There are those that offer FREE and no-obligation quotes. Now, that’s a really good deal and you don’t want to miss out on that!

• You are a busy person and are out of the house most of the time. And if you can’t easily excuse yourself from work and other important weekday appointments, it will be hard for you to schedule a date for the pest control service. The solution? Look for those that are available 7 days in a week. If your weekdays don’t work, I’m sure you can find time on weekends. 

• The service is efficient if you see actual significant improvements with their pest control treatment plan. This is very important because you have to get your money’s worth every time. 

• Lastly, most people may not pay attention to this anymore, but it is nice to have detailed and easy-to-read reports upon completion of the pest control service. 

Others tend to ignore reports and just focus on the actual results because they find most of them to be too technical and hard to comprehend. If they write it in a manner that customers will easily understand, those pieces of paper won’t just lie around somewhere and be eventually forgotten. 

Now you have an idea of the 7 most common pests across Australia. Make it a habit to check the insides and outsides of your homes to make sure there are no pests lingering around. And if you happen to confirm there are some pests who still made their way into your houses, despite preventive actions, don’t hesitate to call the best pest control service in your neighbourhood!

Sidepost offers same day building and pest inspection service for both residential and commercial spaces. We service across Australia particularly Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Hobart, Gold Coast, and Brisbane. Some of the services we offer are pre-purchase inspection, new home inspections, and asbestos testing. Give us a call now to book our professional building and pest inspectors.