TERMITES
Termites
There are 348 termite species in Australia, however only a few are wood damaging. They cause millions of dollars worth of damage to Australian buildings every year. This cannot be claimed by insurance, making it a big pest issue. They can even devalue homes up to 25%. To identify the type of termite in your home, a highly specialised process must be undertaken. This process must be complete before any elimination program begins. Special equipment is used when identifying the termites. Sounding, listening equipment, moisture meters, a borescope and thermal imaging are just some of the tools used.
SPIDERS
White Tail Spider
White tail spiders are one of the most common types in Southern and Eastern Australia. They are one of the most poisonous spiders in our country. White tail spiders have a long, dark body, with dark orange coloured legs. They have a distinct white spot at the tip of their tail. Males grow up to approximately 12mm, whereas females can be as large as 18mm long. They enjoy dark, humid and sheltered environments around houses or gardens. If bitten by a white tail spider, your skin will start to swell, have a burning sensation, cause itchiness and a lump, discolouration of the skin, and may even cause ulcers around the affected area, and nausea or vomiting.
Red Back Spider
Red back spiders can be clearly identified by the big red spot on their abdomen. Males are approximately 3mm – 4mm long, whereas females are approximately 1cm long. If bitten by a red back spider, it will be very painful, and it some cases dangerous. They are found all over Australia, living anywhere if there is shelter and food. If you have red back spiders living in your home, consider a pest control treatment. It only takes a couples of hours to complete, and will eliminate all spiders in an environmentally friendly manner.
Mouse Spider
There are eight different species of mouses spiders, spread all over Australia. They can be between 10mm and 35mm in body length.
They are not the most common type of spiders in Australia, however if bitten by one, it can cause serious injuries. They have a high, bulbous head and jaws, a shiny carapace, with eyes spread across the front of it, and short spinnerets.
Black, Brown & Grey House Spider
These house spiders are commonly found throughout homes in Australia. They are dark and robust, and can be black, brown or grey. The male is usually approximately 9mm long, whereas the female is 18mm long.
They have funnel-like webs, usually found on tree trunks, longs, buildings and walls. As these spiders are timid, it is not common to be bitten by them, however if you are, the bite will be painful and cause swelling. You may even become nauseous and vomit, or feel dizzy.
Huntsman Spider
Huntsman spiders are large with very long legs. Males are approximately 1.6cm long, females around 2cm in length. However, their leg span can be up to 15cm. They are commonly either grey or brown. They can be found in all parts of Australia. They can be found under bark on trees, on rocks or walls, logs, on the ground or in bushes. It is not uncommon for them to be found in houses, or even cars. While they look scary, they are generally not considered to be a very dangerous species.
Daddy Long Legs Spider
In most areas of Australia, daddy long legs spiders are some of the most common. Their bodies are tiny, where as their legs are long and thin. Their venom is very weak, and their mouths are too small to be able to pierce human skin, therefore they are not a threat to humans in any way.
They are very common in homes, and they enjoy building their webs in dark and damp places, for example corners, eaves, windows, or closets.
OTHER PESTS
Mice
Mice initially came to Australia with the first European settlers in 1788. Since then, they have become one of the biggest pests the country has ever seen. Mice have a gestation period of approximately 20 days, giving birth to between 3 – 14 young at a time. A female mouse can have up to ten litters per year, meaning they breed incredibly quickly. They can do significant damage to homes and crops. They are a health hazard, as they contaminate food and other materials, and their droppings can be a potential asthma trigger for children.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are one of Australia’s most popular pests, and getting rid of them can be difficult. To prevent these pests from entering your home in the first place, the best idea is to keep it clean. Cockroaches enjoy rotten food and garbage, so eliminating these from your home will most likely stop the problem before it becomes one. They are well known for spreading different diseases, making them a health risk.
Ants
Ants become particularly frustrating when they enter your home. They travel in large groups, meaning you will never find just a few in your house at once, and it’s easy for a small ant problem to quickly become a big one.
To prevent them entering your house in the first place, block any potential entry points off. Seal any food which ants may be attracted to, and clean up any sticky residue, as they will be attracted to this.