The Aussie summer blesses us with surf, sand and… swarms of pests. As insects are cold-blooded, the increase in temperatures significantly increases their activity levels. In fact, many species of insects begin their winged adult life stages in summer. They are super mobile, hungry and ready to reproduce. Plus, their food sources are ripe and ready with the blossoming of more plants and trees. Read on to discover the notorious pests you need to look out for this summer in Australia.
Flies
The common fly lives only 15-25 days, but they can lay many hundreds of eggs. Their larvae (maggots) develop in organic material. They’re not merely a nuisance though. Flies carry many disease-causing organisms. They pick these up when they feed or land on garbage and sewerage.
Ticks
Ticks can cause significant health problems for humans and animals. It is estimated that the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) paralyses about 20,000 domestic animals annually. They are usually found on Australia’s east coast and they can directly latch onto a person or animal that walks through thick bush or grass. It’s therefore important to keep the lawn trimmed in summer, especially if you have a pet.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are (sadly) present year-round, however in summer, they become even more active and aggressive. Like most pests, the warm weather encourages them to reproduce. On top of this, their offspring will quickly mature into adulthood. They will eat almost anything – from animal and vegetable material to paper, leather, fabrics, grease particles and starches.
Fleas
Warm weather makes fleas, as well as their eggs and larvae mature faster. They very often target domesticated and wild animals – particularly those with light coloured fur. They have small antennae and mouth parts that allow them to pierce and suck the blood of their host. Their bites will usually cause severe itching, red lumps or blisters and potentially secondary infections. While some species of flea will feed on one host species only, others can thrive off multiple hosts. They can even spread the typhus disease, although this is fortunately uncommon.
Mosquitoes
Another bloodsucker, mosquitoes are among the most dangerous pests in the world. They can carry an array of dangerous viruses, including Malaria, Zika Virus and Dengue Fever. With summer anticipated to be wetter this year, the prevalence of mosquitoes is set to increase. This is because they lay their eggs on or near stagnant or still water found in gutters, floodplains, wetlands, ponds or plant containers.
Ants
If you’ve noticed a few more ants scuttling about, you’re not alone. Their already immense population booms further in summer. They can easily make their way indoors through small cracks in unsealed doors or windows. They are particularly drawn into homes that have potential sources of food, so wiping down after meals is a good idea.
Spiders
While Australia is known for our spiders, the vast majority of these 8-legged critters are harmless. Better yet, they feed on mosquitoes, moths and flying insects. Their population will increase during summer, as spiders tend to grow over winter and emerge when the weather heats up. One of the most common spiders in Australia is the black house spider. While they are harmless, they do produce messy webs.
While we love the Aussie summer, the spike in these pests is a real bugger. More and more homeowners will be feeling the sting, and will probably be seeking professional help to get on top of their pests. Austates stock a wide variety of pest and weed equipment that’ll ensure you are fully prepared to service your customers. Our vehicle spray units can be fully customised to fit your requirements. Have a look through our trusted suppliers, or get in touch for more information.