Pests Info

Termites

Termites

Statistically, 3 out of 5 homes in Australia will experience minimal or major white ant problems every year. Maybe 1 in 2000 homes will catch fire. Ask yourself, which is more at risk – fire or white ants. Termites also cause more damage than tornadoes, hurricanes, cyclones and wind-storms combined. You can’t buy termite insurance. The insurance risk is too high.

It is estimated that termites cause more than $900 million in damage in Australia every year. The colony has a strict caste system and every member has a clearly defined role to play.

THE QUEEN

The Queen Ant is the longest living insect known to man with an average life span between ten and forty years of age. Her reproduction rate is very high, so is their mortality rate.

THE KING

The King Ant’s prime duty is to mate with the Queen and generally help in the royal chamber.

THE SOLDIER

The Soldier Ants are the protectors of the nest. They fight any enemies that may attack the nest and move to any emergency that the workers may encounter, such as a tin capping on a stump of a house. The Soldier will attack the capping by injecting acid onto it. Eventually the capping becomes paper thin, so that they are then able to penetrate it with their mandibles. They also guard the nest against any of its bearers who may bring poison back to the nest. They do this by killing the bearer or bearers.

THE WORKER

The Worker is the backbone of the society. These ants actually attack the timber. The termite prefers Karri and other soft wood over Jarrah. They will also attack books and cardboard boxes because paper is made of wood pulp. The worker will attack jarrah flooring to reach karri in the ceiling. They will also penetrate six inches of concrete flooring.

THE NYMPH

These are the water carriers of the nest. White ants must have moisture to survive. The nymph carries the moisture to the workers in its body. On reaching the workers the nymph rubs its body against the workers, thus supplying it with the necessary moisture.

Redback Spider

Redback spider

One of the most poisonous spiders in Australia is the Redback. They are black and usually have a red stripe on their backs. The venom of a Redback is very toxic and the bite is extremely painful. They breed in tins, pots, drums, rubbish, fence capping, old tyres and garden sheds. If bitten, contact a doctor immediately.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches

Few creatures arouse such horror and revulsion as the cockroach. Their presence does not indicate dirty premises but they have a likig for drains, sewers and grease traps. They skulk in dark corners and tread from dirty places onto food, leaving droppings and filth.

Fleas

Cat flea

Few insects are more annoying. Their bites are very irritating, and, what is worse, they can spread disease. Both male and female fleas are bloodsuckers and their bites can become infected, particularly if scratched. Cat and Dog fleas also feed on humans. Adult fleas can survive for months without feeding at all.

Bed Bugs

Bed bug

The name alone is enough to put anyone off. They can be found under skirting boards, plaster and behind wallpaper in the cleanest of houses. Their most unpleasant characteristic is their habit of invading beds and biting sleepers. They do not generally carry disease but they can make life very uncomfortable.

Silverfish

Silverfish

These flat nuisances do their most common damage in books, clothing, carpets, preferring vegetable fabrics such as cotton and linen and the starchy bindings on books and paper, including photographs. They live in roofing cavities and under floors. Stop them before they damage your expensive clothing.

Carpet Beetles

Carpet Beetle

Like moths, carpet beetles prefer animal fibres. They feed just as readily on such products as fish and meat meal. They will also attack grain and cereal products. Carpets and clothes cost many hundreds of dollars, don’t let them ruin these expensive items.

Ants

Ant

There is considerable confusion between termites and ants because they have very similar social systems. They both live in highly organised colonies, have a Queen, King, workers and soldiers. However, they are totally different. Although regarded as pests rather than dangers, they can transfer disease by moving from dirty areas on to food. Sweet foods are their favourite but meats, insects, seeds, fruits even soiled clothes will attract them.

Garden or Orb–Weaving Spider

Garden Spider

The Garden Spider builds an idealised orb–web hence its other common name: Orb–weaving Spider. The web may be constructed between bushes and trees, across pathways or doors. (The spider is usually to be found hiding nearby or waiting on the web). Walking into the web gives people a shock but fortunately the spider is not dangerous. The spider is usually only conspicuous during the summer months. Bites have been recorded but have not been serious.

Black House Spider

Black House Spider

This spider makes a matted web with a funnel in the middle of it. For this reason the web is occasionally mistaken for that of a Funnel Web Spider. However, the appearance of the spider and the location of the web is quite different. The web is found around window sills and door frames, on walls and leaves and may also be found on trees or in outbuildings. The bite may produce pain, nausea and vomiting but is not fatal.

St. Andrew's Cross Spider

St Andrew's Spider

This is another fairly large, beautiful spider. Its legs are held in pairs to form a cross. It constructs a large web in similar locations to the Garden Spider and sits in the centre of this web waiting for unsuspecting prey. Once again, people get a shock if they walk into the web but there is no danger from this spider.