Pest Management

Australia is home to many ant species, but the Black House and Coastal Brown ants are the most common around homes. Both live in large colonies similar to termites.

While these two are most frequent, we treat all residential ant species.

Black House Ant
Shiny and small (2.5–3mm), these ants are often found in kitchens, rubbish bins, and near dog waste. They are attracted to sugary foods and can spread diseases like salmonella.

Coastal Brown Ant
Smaller (2–2.5mm) and yellow-brown, these ants nest in soil and are found along pathways, gardens, and walls. They prefer dry areas and are drawn to meat, fruit, and greasy foods.

Australia has around 400 cockroach species, but six are major pests in Brisbane homes and businesses.

Native cockroaches, which are larger and slower, are part of our ecosystem and don’t require treatment. However, pest species like the American, Australian, Brown-banded, German, Oriental, and Smokey Brown cockroaches can spread disease and germs.

These pests thrive in warm, moist, dark areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms, and reproduce rapidly. They can survive temperatures from -5°C to over 40°C. Cockroaches are nocturnal and hide during the day, making infestations hard to detect. They travel through electrical wiring and pipes.

Cockroaches contaminate food and spread diseases, making professional treatment necessary for effective control.

Spiders are beneficial to our ecosystem, though only a few species in Australia are considered urban pests. They reproduce quickly, laying hundreds of eggs in silken sacs, which can be hidden or carried by the female. If you spot a sac in your home, more spiders are likely on the way.

Common pest species include the Mouse, Funnel-web, Redback, White-tail, Black House, and Northern Tree Spiders. To prevent infestations and control population spikes, regular treatments and inspections are recommended, as some species tend to hide in hard-to-reach places.

Rats and mice can cause significant damage to your home and business, impacting both your finances and health. With constantly growing teeth, they chew on everything and produce large amounts of urine and droppings. A family of ten rats can produce up to 54 liters of urine and over 146,000 droppings annually.

While there are many species of rodents, only three are considered pests: the House Mouse, Norway Rat, and Roof Rat.

With over 2,000 species worldwide, fleas are a common pest in Australian households, especially those with pets or animals. They’re typically found in pet bedding, carpets, and sandy outdoor areas, where their thin bodies help them move through fur and feathers.

Fleas thrive in warm, humid environments and can jump up to 18cm in height or 33cm horizontally, making it easy for them to transfer between hosts. Flea bites are itchy and uncomfortable, and they can cause allergies, skin conditions like dermatitis, and transmit tapeworms to pets. Scratching bites may lead to secondary infections.

Fleas are tough, resistant to pressure, and can remain dormant for up to a year. Even after flea treatment, they may return, so it’s best to have a professional handle flea control.

Controlling flies in your home can be challenging and requires a strategic approach.

The first step is identifying the fly species, as different types require different control methods. Common Australian flies include Blow Flies, Fruit Flies, House Flies, and Moth Flies. Queensland’s sunny conditions provide an ideal breeding ground for flies, especially during egg-laying season.

To reduce fly numbers, keep windows and doors closed, install insect screens, and ensure rubbish and compost bins are sealed with fitted lids. Also, clean up pet waste and food scraps, which attract flies.

Cimex lectularius, or Bed Bugs, are light yellow to brown and about the size of an apple seed. Females can lay up to five eggs daily, which hatch in about two weeks. They can survive for up to a year without food.

Bed bugs are human blood-feeding parasites, typically spread unknowingly through used furniture, backpacks, or suitcases. Once inside, they move through walls and floors. Bites cause redness, itching, and swelling, and although they don’t cause physical damage, they can severely impact businesses like hotels and motels through bad reviews and lost income.

To prevent infestations, inspect used furniture, avoid leaving suitcases on floors while traveling, check luggage upon return, and wash clothes at temperatures over 60°C. If you suspect bed bugs, freeze objects for 24 hours. Professional treatment is essential, as bed bugs won’t go away on their own.

Mosquitoes are a major problem in Australia and worldwide, spreading diseases responsible for millions of deaths. In tropical and sub-tropical areas like Queensland, mosquitoes thrive, especially during warmer months. As aquatic creatures, they are found in stagnant water such as puddles, pools, and bird baths.

Mosquitoes are attracted to humans due to factors like carbon dioxide, sweat, and body heat. Female mosquitoes need blood to develop eggs, while carbon dioxide and human sweat draw them in from up to 50 meters away.

Effective mosquito control requires identifying and eliminating breeding sites by removing stagnant water sources.

There are over 350,000 beetle species worldwide, each with unique habitats, feeding habits, and behaviors. Beetles go through stages from egg to larvae, pupa, and adult, with larvae often causing the most damage. Moisture issues are a common factor in beetle infestations.

Common pest beetles include the Carpet, Furniture, Larder, Powderpost, and Spider beetles, which can damage carpets, furniture, clothes, and insulation.