Household Pests in Australia

Pest Control

It is very common in Australia to have your house sprayed for pests on an annual basis. This commonly covers Spiders and Cockroaches, the main co-inhabitants of a house.

Having this done on a regular basis can help to keep your house free from such pests.

My personal Costs of Pest control have been:

• Jan 2005 $165.00
  
• Jan 2006 $170.00
  
• Jan 2007 $170.00
  
• Jan 2008 $170.00
  
• Jan 2009 $170.00
  

I hope my Pest Control company don't see these figures, and begin to think of increases.......

If you live in my area, Redlands area in the Brisbane Bayside, let me know and I will give you a good recommendation

Poisonous Caterpillars

Some Australian caterpillars are armed with stinging hairs, that can cause severe reactions to humans. Having read about fatalities from this in some parts of the world, I checked in Australia but cannot locate any fatalities here, which is good news.

Generally, the brightly coloured caterpillars are poisonous; their colour being a reminder to predators about their toxicity.

To treat irritations as a result of these poisonous caterpillars, remove all affected clothing and apply a piece of adhesive tape to each of the affected areas, then pull the tape off immediately.

This will remove some of the hairs and irritants and reduce the full impact of the irritation. The use of analgesics, creams, antihistamines and lotions with steroids will also assist in relieving the symptoms.

• Department of Medical Entomology - Caterpillars

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can be a problem in some areas, and it may be worth checking on the area you intend to go to, if you feel it may be a problem to you.

It is commonly considered that the Bushman brand of Personal Mosquito repellent is the best one available. This contains 80% DEET, and quotes protection time of up to 15 hours.

More information at: www.abcdiamond.com/australia/mosquito-repellent

Comprehensive tests PDF source document have shown that no bites were recorded in the first 8 hours of use using DEET Bushmans Plus, and none in the first 11 hours with the Bushman Heavy Duty lotion

The Department of Medical Entomology at the University of Sydney has an interesting fact sheet on Mosquitoes of Australia

This suggestion to control Mosquitoes was obtained from Logan City Council

Some Natural Pest Control Ideas

I have been given this info but can not guarantee it works, as it seems that different things work for different people

Plants that Mosquitoes do not like may include:

• Citronella Scented Geraniums
  
• Cedronella
  

Natural Personal Body Mozzie Repellant

10 drops of Lavender Oil
1 Teaspoon methylated spirits
3/4 of a cup of water

Use in a small spray bottle.

Increase the lavender oil if required (for people who are more prone to mozzies bites), maybe an extra 10-15 drops.

Pure lavender oil, applied to a bite does help to relieve the itching for some people.

Natural Mosquito Spray

100 gram unpeeled garlic cloves
50 millilitres of canola or sunflower oil
Put both in a glass jar and seal

Leave for 24 hours to infuse

Strain, and add the resulting liquid 5 parts water to each 1 part of liquid.
Add 1 teaspoon of methylated spirits to each half litre of the above.

Store in glass bottle with NON metallic lid

Use as required in a plastic spray bottle, with fine mist spray head.

Spray around the room to kill off any mozzies.