There are a lot of pests out there! They don’t all fit into one of the big groups of pests (ants, cockroaches, spiders, etc), so articles on these more occasional pests all get grouped here under “Other Pests”.
One of the pest insects that gets a bit personal are lice, including head lice and pubic lice. Check out our article on all you need to know about lice.
There are always some insects which homeowners may view as pests, either because they are unwanted intruders in the house or just don’t know what they are. Two insects that commonly fall into this category are click beetles and ant lions (which are the larval stage of lacewings).
One of the smallest arthropod pests are the mites, which include dust mites, bird mites, spider mites and rodent mites. Bird mites and rodent mites might be the causes of bites in the bedroom, but there are some other pests which could be the cause of unexplained bites in the bedroom.
Millipedes, particularly the Portuguese millipede can be the cause of major infestations and large scale house invasions. Another multi-legged occasional pest is the very fast moving, house centipede.
One group of arthropod pests that are feared in a similar way to spiders are the scorpions and with good reason, as some can give a very nasty sting.
There are a range of vertebrate pests, other than rodents and birds. Many are native animals such as the Antechinus, but some are introduced pests, such as the infamous cane toad.
Notifiable Pests
Federal and state governments carry out continuous border checks and some monitoring inland, for various invasive pests, which should them become established in Australian, could cause significant and economic harm. Such pests are called notifiable pests, in that if you spot a potential notifiable pest, you should alert the relevant government authority in your state.
More information on other types of pest.
When it comes to detecting incursions of urban invasive pests, pest managers are on the front line. It pays to know the key notifiable pests in your state, so you can fulfill your professional responsibility and help with biosecurity.
They lurk in dark corners of your home and run with uncanny speed, and for many people they’re the stuff of nightmares – would you be able to ID a house centipede?
The larval stages of these insects lurk underground, hollow venomous jaws ready to kill anything that falls within range. But their adults are delicate flying insects that look nothing like their young. Would you be able to identify an Antlion?
A team of European researchers has discovered that the long-tailed silverfish has shown susceptibility to gel baits. Could baiting be the answer for controlling a wider range of silverfish species?
With over 800 species in Australia alone, these insects are often found inside houses and are a favourite with children. Would you be able to identify a click beetle?
Whilst dust mites are commonly thought to be the cause of respiratory issues and skin irritations, it may be a surprise to know that storage mites could just as likely be the culprit.
When a customer is getting bitten in the bedroom, pest managers need to do a little detective work to find out the culprit, and treat it appropriately.
Image credit: Canberra nature map under licence These ground dwelling insects have a unique diet and distinctive appearance, and can be found in gardens across much of Australia. They can also deliver a very painful sting like their more notorious relatives. Could you identify a blue ‘ant’?
There are a number of borers that are pests of trees and timber in service. Correct identification is essential to determine the nature of the issue and the treatment. One genus only infests eucalypt trees and has become a major pest of timber plantations. Would you be able to identify a Eucalyptus Longicorn?
The Portuguese millipede is a nuisance pest that is easily controlled despite its tendency to appear in large numbers that can be alarming for homeowners.
Intriguing and somewhat misunderstood, scorpions are a relatively uncommon pest but remain one that we pest managers should know how to effectively manage.
Knowing how to successfully treat and control dust mites will satisfy allergen-prone customers as well as providing a potential upselling opportunity in the form of dust covers and protectors.