Mosquitoes are annoying but they can also be dangerous. Australia is lucky to be free of major outbreaks of serious mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria but this doesn’t mean that our local mosquitoes don’t pose a health risk. Thousands of people fall ill following a mosquito bite each year across the country. Beyond
For years, Sydney has battled rodent invasions, especially during the cold winter days. Mice and rats have always been a common problem in New South Wales, and recent lockdowns and rise in construction projects have contributed to increased rodent sightings. Prolonged restaurant closures, as well as demolition and building, work across Sydney and surrounding areas
The American Cockroach The American cockroach is the largest species of common cockroach, and often considered a pest. It is colloquially known as the water bug, though is not a true water bug since it is not aquatic. It is also known as the ship cockroach, kakerlac, and Bombay canary. It is often misidentified as
Are white-tailed spiders really that dangerous? White-tailed spider bites have some home owners concerned about the dangers to their family and pets. Whilst spiders can be a dangerous pest in Australia, is it being wrongly accused for cases of skin ulceration and necrosis? What is necrotising arachnidism? It is a type of skin inflammation and
The Australian Cockroach Appearance: The Australian cockroach is a common species of tropical cockroach, with a length of 23–35 mm. It is brown overall, with the tegmina having a conspicuous lateral pale stripe or margin, and the pronotum with a sharply contrasting pale or yellow margin. Habitat: The Australian cockroach is one of several species
Bed Bugs Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that feed on human blood by piercing the skin. They do not live on humans or burrow into the skin. They are very mobile, but only move short distances to feed, so are commonly found near food (blood) sourcees. Generally, bed bugs are more of a nuisance
Termite Chemical Barrier Termite infestations, especially those left undetected, can cause significant amounts of structural damage which often results in costly repair bills. This is why, it’s absolutely vital that property owners take every means possible to protect their homes and businesses from being affected. One of the most effective preventative treatments is what’s known
Cockroaches In The Kitchen German cockroaches are the most common cockroaches in the world and are usually found in moist areas such as the kitchen, laundry, bathroom etc. They are small light brown (babies are black). Cockroaches will migrate from room to room as local populations expand. The key is making sure there isn’t anything
The Daddy Long Legs Introduction: The cosmopolitan Daddy-long-legs spider belongs to a group known as tangle-web spider. Identification: Daddy-long-legs spiders are easily recognised by their extremely long, skinny legs and small body. They are cream to pale brown. Some species have darker markings on their legs and abdomen. Habitat: Daddy-long-legs are found in most urban
Termites save the rainforest in times of drought As social insects, it is widely acknowledged that termites have an important role to play in a tropical ecosystems. However, a new study published in the journal Science is one of the first to identify just how important that role is, especially during times of drought. Termites
