Perth homeowners are often faced with a variety of pest problems, from termites eating through woodwork to ants scavenging in the kitchen. These common pests not only cause discomfort and annoyance, but they can also lead to health issues and significant property damage if left uncontrolled. It’s crucial to understand how to prevent them from invading your space and, in the case of an infestation, how to eliminate them effectively.
This article provides insight into common household pests in Perth and surrounding areas, prevention and control methods, and how professional services like Adaptive Pest Control can help safeguard your home.
Termites
Termites are among the most destructive pests in Perth. They are particularly attracted to wood, causing extensive structural damage that could cost homeowners tens of thousands of dollars in repairs.
Prevention and control
Maintain a well-ventilated and dry home as termites are attracted to damp environments. Regularly inspect your property, especially wooden structures, for signs of termite activity like discarded wings, mud tubes or galleries, and wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
Ensure there’s a gap between the soil and wood portions of your home to deter termites from gaining easy access. It’s also advisable to use termite-resistant timber when building or repairing your home.
For established infestations, professional termite control services like Adaptive Pest Control are usually necessary to ensure the complete extermination of the colony.
Ants
Perth experiences high levels of ant activity, especially during the warmer months. Ants can be a nuisance in the home as they search for food and water.
Prevention and control
Cleanliness is crucial in preventing ant infestations. Regularly sweep and vacuum your home to remove food crumbs and wipe up spills promptly. Ensure food is stored in sealed containers and don’t leave pet food out for long periods. Identify and seal potential entry points, including small cracks and crevices in walls and floors.
Rodents (rats and mice)
Rodents not only pose a health risk through the diseases they carry but also cause damage by gnawing on household structures and wiring, which can even lead to fires.
Prevention and control
Control potential entry points into your home by sealing cracks, holes, and gaps larger than a quarter inch. Ensure your doors, windows, and screens fit tightly. Keep your home and yard free from clutter and rubbish where rodents might nest.
Store food in rodent-proof containers, and never leave food or dirty dishes out overnight. If you detect a rodent problem, professional rodent control services can be effective solutions.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are another common pest in Perth. They reproduce rapidly and are known carriers of several diseases, making them a significant health risk.
Prevention and control
As with most pests, good hygiene is crucial in preventing a cockroach infestation. Regularly clean your home, especially the kitchen and bathroom, as cockroaches are attracted to food residue and water.
Ensure you dispose of garbage regularly and store it in sealed containers. Seal potential entry points, such as cracks and crevices. If an infestation is detected, professional pest control services are often required to fully eliminate the problem.
Spiders
Perth is home to various spider species, some of which are venomous like the Redback and White-tailed spiders. While most spiders help control other pests, they can be a nuisance when they invade homes in large numbers—not to mention many of us find their mere presence terrifying!
Prevention and control:
Regular cleaning is an effective way to deter spiders. Limit outdoor lighting near your home, as lights can attract the insects that spiders feed on. Keep plants and shrubs trimmed, and consider using a professional pest control service like Adaptive Pest Control for venomous spiders to protect you and your family.
Wasps
Perth’s hot summer months often lead to a rise in wasp activity. Their stings can be painful and potentially dangerous for those with allergies.
Prevention and Control
Keep rubbish bins sealed and clean up food and drink spills immediately. Regularly check your home and garden for signs of wasp nests. If a nest is found, contact a professional pest control service immediately to remove it safely.
Bees
Bees are essential for pollination but can become problematic when they nest in homes. Their stings may be harmful, particularly to those with allergies.
Prevention and control:
Maintain cleanliness in outdoor eating areas and seal rubbish bins to prevent attracting bees. Monitor your home and garden for signs of bee hives. Since bees are instrumental to our eco-system, Adaptive Pest Control does not condone the destruction of bee colonies; rather we will give a recommendation of a trusted local beekeeper or apiarist who can safely relocate the hive, ensuring the preservation of these vital pollinators.
Fleas
Fleas are small pests that commonly affect pets, but they can also bite humans, causing itchiness and discomfort.
Prevention and control
Regularly wash pet bedding in hot soapy water and vacuum your home frequently. Treat your pets with vet-approved flea treatments. For severe infestations, professional pest control from a trusted pest exterminator like Adaptive Pest Control may be necessary.
Possums
Possums are a unique case in the realm of pests, as they are protected wildlife species in Australia. They generally do not pose a threat to human health or property, but they can become problematic when they make their homes in roof spaces and other structures, causing noise disturbances and potential damage.
Prevention and control:
Prevent possum access to your home by trimming any overhanging tree branches that provide access to your roof. Ensure all potential entry points, like holes and gaps in your roof or eaves, are sealed.
Flies
Flies are a common pest in homes, known for their irritating buzzing and their potential to spread diseases.
Prevention and control
Keep your home and surroundings clean, as flies are attracted to garbage, food waste, and other organic material. Ensure all food is covered, and rubbish bins are sealed to prevent flies from breeding. Install fly screens on windows and doors to prevent flies from entering your home.
Feral Pests
Feral pests such as foxes, rabbits, and wild cats, while not typically found inside homes, can still cause problems in your outdoor areas, damaging gardens, threatening pets, and potentially carrying diseases.
Prevention and control
Maintain your property’s cleanliness and orderliness, as disarray and food sources can attract these pests. Ensure rubbish bins are sealed to prevent them from foraging and avoid leaving pet food outdoors. Keep gardens and lawns trimmed and tidy, eliminating hiding spots and nest-building materials.
Earwigs, millipedes, and cockroaches
Earwigs, millipedes, and cockroaches, while harmless (other than the spread of diseases from cockroaches) can become a nuisance when they invade homes in large numbers. They’re typically drawn to cool, damp areas and may enter homes during hot, dry periods.
Prevention and control:
Maintain cleanliness in your home and eliminate damp, cluttered spaces where these pests can hide and reproduce. Seal cracks and openings to prevent entry. Regularly clean and air out basements, bathrooms, and other moist areas of your home.
What can Adaptive Pest Control do to help?
Adaptive Pest Control is a comprehensive service provider for both commercial and residential pest control throughout Perth Metro and surrounding areas. Our company is well-versed in handling a wide array of pests that are prevalent all year round and can thrive in adverse climatic conditions.
Our approach not only focuses on treating your current pest infestations but also places great importance on educating homeowners on how to limit future re-infestations. The pests we deal with span across crawling insects, feral pests, flying insects and rodents. Read more in-depth explanations on how we target and eliminate all sorts of unwanted houseguests here.
Our expertise includes dealing with:
- Termites: Adaptive Pest Control specialises in termite control. Utilising advanced detection tools like Termatrac T3i, we effectively identify termite presence without disturbing them. Depending on your situation, we offer non-repellent treatments (Termidor SC or HE), which eliminate the colony, or repellent treatments (Bifenthrin) that prevent future infestations.
- Spiders: From Red Backs and White Tails to Huntsman and Daddy Long Legs, Adaptive Pest Control effectively rids your home of these pests and repels them from returning by targeting major problem areas such as roof voids, subfloors, wall cavities, skirtings, cornices, exterior walls, lawns, gardens, sheds, fence lines, clotheslines, bins and garages.
- Ants: Ant infestations can range from occasional visits to complete takeover of your home. They can infiltrate through wall cavities, subfloors, roof cavities, and even cracks or crevices, potentially causing damage to your electrical devices. Adaptive Pest Control uses a mixture of repellent and non-repellent products to handle this pest.
- Earwigs, millipedes, cockroaches: By leveraging techniques from their spider and ant treatment, Adaptive Pest Control can effectively rid your home of these pests.
- Fleas: Fleas can multiply rapidly and cause significant discomfort for many families. The APC team uses a combination of insect growth regulators (IGR) and repellent products to treat both the inside and outside of your home.
- Feral pests: With experience in dealing with a diverse range of feral pests in both residential and commercial environments, Adaptive Pest Control can handle non-native birds and rabbits.
- Mosquitoes and flies: For these pests, the APC team uses a petrol-powered backpack that blows air to agitate the foliage surrounding your home and applies a product that kills mosquitoes and flies on contact and acts as a repellent.
- Wasps: As one of the most feared pests, wasps can be territorial and often create nests out of paper-like material. Adaptive Pest Control is equipped to safely handle and eliminate wasp infestations.
- Bees: Understanding the importance of bees for our ecosystem, Adaptive Pest Control recommends local beekeepers for bee infestations.
- Possums: As a protected species, possums need to be handled with great care. Adaptive Pest Control controls possums when they enter dwellings by conducting full site inspections, proofing entry points, and implementing one-way doors for possums to exit.
- Rats and mice: With the ability to gain access through tiny gaps, rats and mice can cause significant damage to homes. Adaptive Pest Control uses a mix of techniques including baits, powders, bait stations, and general proofing recommendations to deal with these pests.
Final thoughts
Dealing with pests is a daunting task, demanding cleanliness, regular inspections, and professional intervention in case of severe infestations. Adaptive Pest Control offers comprehensive solutions, tackling existing pest issues and offering preventive measures to curb future infestations. Act now and protect your home from these unwelcome intruders. For more information reach out to our friendly team at Adaptive Pest Control today.
