Pest Treatment Techniques

In Queensland, pest control is guided by the pest Management Act of 2011 and the Pest Management Regulation of 2003. Besides, some by-laws and sections help to manage all sorts of pests. Pests affect the natural ecosystem, humans, animals, and primary industries in Queensland.

Different kinds of pests thrive in Queensland due to the suitable climate. The Silver leaf whitefly, potato moth, Queensland fruit fly, cockroaches, and termites are all among the common pests. Pest activity in Queensland has increased due to recent weather fluctuations. The number of people requesting pest inspections has also increased significantly. Here you will find all the information on common pests in Queensland and their treatments.

The Importance of Pest Control

When pests contaminate the land, they lead to substandard farm produce and infertility of land. Rodents alone consume almost 20% of the world’s food population. In Queensland, the major cause of damages is silverfish, the house mouse, and termites.

Pest control protects you and your family from inconveniences caused by pests. You also get to eliminate insects, rodents, or bird pests which cause health hazards. Without health control regulations, food regulation and sanitation aren’t achieved.

Animals are vulnerable to diseases caused by pests. Some pests transmit diseases from animals to humans. They include Brucellosis, Ringworms, and Hendra Virus. Pest control prevents further infestations.

Rodents are pests on their own. Also, they are carriers of other pests like mites, ticks, and fleas. These pests carry diseases like malaria, plagues, and Lyme disease, transmitting to both humans and animals. The first step to protecting yourself against these pests is by utilizing local pest control expert’s services. You can also try conducting DIY pest management yourself. Below is a list of common pests and the approved ways to get rid of them;

Fleas and Ticks

Queensland has 8 common types of fleas:

• Human flea
• Rabbit flea
• Bird flea
• Dog flea
• Mole flea
• Hedgehog flea
• Tropical flea
• Adult fleas 

Fleas are small in size and tend to be more disturbing considering their size. They are even hard to notice and control. They can be such a nuisance if they invade your home.

Ticks are visible because they’re a little thicker unless covered by feathers or fur. To humans, tick bites cause allergic reactions, minimal discomfort, and paralysis. To animals, tick bites cause tick-borne disease. Flea feed and live on warm-blooded animals, birds, or humans. After they find a host, they multiply and are reluctant to leave.

Ticks are widespread across Queensland. They affect and feed on animals as well. They also feed off humans if they get a chance. Increased flaccid paralysis in domestic animals caused by tick bites is common in Queensland.

Treatments

If not exterminated, ticks and fleas spread fast. Several pest control companies offer tick and flea control in Queensland. Proper extermination helps prevent problems like tapeworms, murine typhus transmitted by fleas among others.

Although flea bites are harmless, they cause itching and inflammation, creating a wound and getting infected. Large infestations cause anaemia which can kill small animals.

Removing the tick completely is the best treatment for tick bites. Use fine-tipped tweezers or fingers. Pull off the tick by griping close to the skin. In case of a tick outbreak, contact pest control services.

Cockroaches

Queensland has over 400 species of native cockroaches. These include the Australian cockroach, American cockroach, Oriental cockroach, and German cockroach. The most common being the Australian cockroach which is 30-35 mm long. But the American cockroach is bigger.

The American cockroach has a distinctive pale-yellow ring around its head. On the front forewing, it has pale yellow insignias and the pronotum. It can survive under both moist and dry conditions.
With two dark bars running laterally along the thorax, the German cockroach is 10 mm long. It’s common in Southeast Queensland. The Australian cockroach is not from Australia despite its name. Rather, it originated from Asia.

In Queensland, the American cockroach occupy the largest percentage. It is 40 mm long with a reddish-brown colour faeces pattern in the thorax. Like the Australian cockroach, it’s not reserved for one geographical region. It is common across Queensland.

Treatments

Several pesticides help to get rid of cockroaches. They include Vendetta Roach Bait, Cockroach Bait Gel, and the Intice 10 Perimeter Bait. If you plan to use any of these, get a licensed technician from certified pest and animal control support services. Cockroach faeces, cuticles, and debris are asthma and allergy triggers. Besides, any form of treatment or fumigating can lead to land infertility because of the chemicals used. A licensed pest control specialist can advise on how long you should stay away from the fumigated areas.

Rodents

Rat and mice look alike. They are two of the largest rodent species. With exception of the house mouse and the water rat. Mice, rats among other rodents are attracted to food supplies in restaurants, homes, and dumpsites.

Other rodent types include; guinea pigs, capybaras, lemmings, picas, beavers, squirrels, and moles. Rats produce at a fast rate and live almost everywhere like ceilings, swamps, and refrigerators.

Native rats in Queensland include; the Asian Black Rat, the European Black Rat, and the Brown Rat which dominates the mainland. The house mouse is well known to humans. They breed fast that’s why they’re very common. With a gestation period of 19 days, the house population can be alarming. Hoping mice, water rats, tree mice, mosaic-tailed rats, and rock rats have all been cited in Queensland.

Treatments

Rodents can cause serious noise when left to grow in numbers. They can also cause damage to your property. Make sure leftover food is kept in the fridge, lock cupboard doors, cover external pipes with gauze, and fix damaged walls.

Do the above to prevent rodents from accessing your home. If in large numbers, contact a licensed pest control specialist to get rid of them.

Bed bugs are reddish-brown. They turn purple after a blood meal. Adult bed bugs are approximately 5 mm long. They can also expand up to six times after feeding. Despite their name, they aren’t found in bedrooms. You can find them in second-hand furniture, suitcases, bags, and laundry.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs feed on warm-blooded animals and humans as well. As opposed to animals that have fur, they prefer humans because their skins are exposed. They feed by injecting saliva with anticoagulant and anaesthetic properties.

Once they do that, their hosts don’t feel the bite. Unless exterminated, they can withstand almost all drugs. They adapt by travelling using anyone and anything which can aid them spread further.

Treatments

To control bedbugs, you need a profession control specialist. Somebody trained to reach all the bedbug hideouts like on pillows, bed frames, headboards and carpets. You may also need to do away with the infested items in your home.

Termites

Termites can cause serious damage to buildings. They damage crops even more. Their presence goes undetected in most cases because they live underground. The working class is very dominant. They are also wingless, blond, and sterile.

Termites look after the young, protect the eggs, build the nest, and gather food. The reproductive class has eyes, wings, and a functioning reproductive system. Their sole function is forming colonies. The most destructive pests in Queensland and the world at large are termites.

Treatments

Don’t spray or cause a commotion when you find termites. They are capable of doing too much damage in a matter of hours. Instead, contact certified pest control agencies to end them.

Silverfish

Silverfish are as destructive as termites but the damage they cause is noticeable earlier. They have tiny scales, move-in wiggling motion like fish, and are silver-blue. They’re known as fish moths or carpet sharks.

They are wingless, measure up to 10 to 12 mm in length. They also have a tail-like appearance and tapered with two slender antennae. Silverfish are reproductive and a particular species lays 2 to 20 eggs daily.

They hide their eggs in cracks which makes locating them hard. They prefer humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms and also like damp papers and clothing. For this reason, they are known as an enemy to papers and photographic materials.

Treatments 

Fix leaking pipes, improve ventilation in your house, and use humidifiers. To get rid of silverfish, use containers with tight lids to store food. Also, vacuum rarely visited areas in your home. Reduce dust and debris. And in case of an outbreak, contact certified pest control agencies.

Ants

In Queensland, there are 3 ant species known to be very destructive. They include fire ants, electric ants, and yellow crazy ants. All three-cause extensive damage to homes and agriculture and are also very invasive.

Treatments

Ant bites are very painful. It causes redness, swelling and blistering. When the blisters break, there is a great risk of infection. To control ant invasion from your home, construct the barriers around your home. Anytime you notice their advancement, eliminate them as fast as possible before they can multiply.

Conclusion

Pests outbreak can cause allergic reactions. They also cause discomfort. Some pests are handled in an eco-friendly manner from your home. You can DIY some pest control options if you don’t want to call a professional. But that doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get rid of them. When an outbreak occurs, contact certified pest control services to get rid of them. To learn more or request a pest control quote visit www.ecopestcontrolbrisbane.com.au and submit your details for a fast response.