Melbourne homes deal with a familiar set of pests, and most problems are easier and cheaper to fix when caught early. Here are the six we are called about most, and what to look for.
1. Spiders
Redbacks, white-tailed spiders, huntsmen and black house spiders are common around Melbourne homes. Look for webs in eaves, window frames, garages and sheds, and take extra care with redbacks in outdoor furniture, letterboxes and garden beds.
2. Cockroaches
German cockroaches live in kitchens and bathrooms, while larger Australian and American cockroaches come in from gardens and drains. Droppings like ground pepper and night-time sightings are the usual signs.
Most pests are looking for the same three things: food, water and shelter. Take those away and you make your home far less attractive to them.
3. Rats and mice
Rodents move indoors when the weather cools down, nesting in roofs, walls and sheds. Listen for scratching in the ceiling at night and look for droppings and gnaw marks.
4. Ants
Black house ants and coastal brown ants are common in Melbourne, especially in warmer months. Trails along benchtops, skirting boards and window frames point back towards the nest.
5. Bed bugs
Bed bugs usually arrive in luggage or second-hand furniture. Small dark spots on sheets and itchy bites in a line are early warning signs.
6. Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes breed in standing water such as pot plant saucers, blocked gutters and birdbaths. Emptying water weekly in summer makes a big difference, and a yard treatment can help reduce numbers further.
Need help? Call Pest Control Victoria on 0470 474 996 or request a free quote. We service homes and businesses across metropolitan Melbourne.
