Common Australian Household Pests
July 3rd, 2009Discovering you have a pest infestation in your home is one of the worst things you can experience as a home owner or renter. Getting rid of pests can be a frustrating process for many and occasionally means moving out of home for up to a week for pest extermination. Some infestations, such as termites (white ants), can be even more serious.
If an infestation hits you whilst you’re living in your house or flat, there is often not much you can do besides go through the normal extermination routine. However, it’s easy to prevent these kinds of problems before moving in. Pre-purchase pest inspections detail whether or not you have an infestation and may stop you from making a bad buying decision. Some common pests you may encounter within or outside the home include:
Ants
One or two ants are harmless enough, but a whole army could start giving you some trouble. Distantly related to wasps, ants do not usually harm humans, but they can be extremely annoying if they find their way into your kitchen pantry. Most DIY extermination sprays will kill off any ants in and surrounding the home, but if there are just too many, you may have to call in an exterminator.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are all too familiar to humans and are perhaps one of the most frequently sighted pests around. Most people find professional cockroach exterminators to be effective; however you can also use cockroach sprays or baits for a quick fix. To avoid cockroaches naturally, remember to seal all food and waste containers to the best of your ability.
Rodents - Rats & Mice
Rats and mice are quite possibly the most dreaded household pests. They carry germs and are unpleasant in general. If you have an infestation or nest in your home (typically located in basements or attics), call a professional exterminator to solve the problem. Signs of rats or mice in the home are scraping sounds, droppings on the floor and holes in cardboard boxes or plastic containers.
Spiders
Spiders are just plain scary, but unfortunately, there is no real way to avoid them. Thankfully, spiders don’t generally roam in packs, so an infestation is unlikely. However, if you see a white egg sack, it’s best to destroy it before a bunch of baby spiders are born into your home. If you experience a run in with a spider, try to escort it outside, give it a spray or use the old shoe swatting technique.
Termites / White Ants
Termites are the most damaging pest you could find in your home. In fact, most pest inspections are conducted predominantly to check for them. Also called white ants, termites have the ability to destroy whole wood structures, which can be devastating if you find them in your wooden home. The best way to avoid them is by having your place thoroughly inspected before moving in.
Wasps
Wasps are related to ants, but one of the big differences is that they fly and have a pretty nasty sting. If you see wasps flying around your place, the only extermination step is to locate the nest and destroy it. This should be done by a professional wearing protective gear. DIY attempts with sprays and brooms can work, but they are definitely not recommended.
Pre-Purchase Pest Inspections
As mentioned above, having your property inspected before signing on the dotted line can save you from a lot of trouble and also save you a lot of money. You may discover that the home you planned on purchasing is infested with termites, which can save you from a bad buy. Or, you may discover a simple cockroach problem that can be solved before you go to the trouble of moving in. Either way, a pre-purchase pest report is an essential step when buying a house.
This article was provided by Childs buy Allegra online www.childspropertyinspections.com.au/Property Inspections. For more information on Australian property inspections including www.childspropertyinspections.com.au/pre-purchase_building.html Building Reports, Strata Reports and Pest Inspections simply click the links.












