A lot of pests are annoying but ultimately harmless to your home. However there are some pests which cause damage, whether that be to your home, your possessions or even yourself.
We’re not mentioning every pest here, so this is by no means a complete list, but these are the pests that you are more likely to encounter that you definitely do not want in your home.
1. Termites
The first one is obvious, termites clearly are damaging to the home. They eat wood, and most homes (especially Queensland homes) have a lot of wood in them. They cause a lot of damage, and the damage sometimes isn’t covered by home insurance.
Termites can be hard to find, even if you know what you’re looking for, this is why we always recommend people get regular termite inspections. But the most important thing is to make sure you get treatments done as soon as there is evidence of termites. As long as you take control within good time then your home should not take significant damage.
How to prevent them: Unfortunately there aren’t reliable natural ways to prevent termites. The only reliable way to prevent termites is to have a termite barrier put in place which protects the home for a year.
2. Bed Bugs
If you’ve ever slept in a bed with bed bugs then you know that this is one that you really want to avoid. They’re tiny, so small that most of the time you can’t even see them, but they bite – a lot. Sleeping in a bed with bed bugs means you will wake up with itchy and uncomfortable red spots.
Unfortunately most people only realise that they have bed bugs when they wake up having been bitten through the night. You can wash the sheets, and that might help somewhat, but really you need to get your home treated because here will still be some in your home.
How to prevent them: The best way to prevent bed bugs is to make sure your sheets and clothing are regularly washed and changed. This can preempt the problem and prevent them from settling in your home.
3. German Cockroaches
Surprisingly, these don’t stay in Germany. German cockroaches are present in Queensland, and they are more difficult to get rid of than normal cockroaches. If you do have them then call us and well put a plan together for you.
German cockroaches, while not destructive or aggressive can be harmful to your health, especially if there are small children in the house. Their feces and shed skins are allergenic and can carry pathogens. Research has shows that children who grow up in houses with German cockroaches are more susceptible to allergies and asthma.
How to prevent them: The best way to prevent cockroaches, of all kinds, is to make sure that food is sealed away and to keep surfaces (particularly kitchen surfaces) clean and free of debris.
4. Rats & Mice
Rats and mice are well known for spreading bacteria and diseases, and while the likelihood of contracting an illness from a rat is largely exaggerated they can cause problems. Rodents get in everywhere, including drainpipes and sewers. This means that they do end up carrying potentially harmful germs or bacteria.
How to prevent them: Good hygiene is important for keeping rodents away, but what’s even more important is sealing up gaps, cracks and holes in your home. Rodents are bigger than other pests, so just make sure they have no way of entering.
If you have any pests in your home then they could be creating problems that you’re not even aware of, so make sure you get any pests treated as soon as you can.