Autumn's unwelcome guests: Pest control essentials for Down Under

A thriving household and garden can bring out the best in your home. Unfortunately, they can also attract the worst of pests, especially in autumn when there’s a higher chance of certain critters and other wildlife intruding on one’s surroundings.

Keen to prevent them from invading your property during this time of year? This article discusses the most common autumn pests in Australia and how to be ready for them.

Why autumn invites pests to your doorstep

A quaint garden shed surrounded by autumn foliage (Source: iStock)

If the presence of pests—both introduced species and native animals—has been a recurring problem for you, you may notice that the autumn cold signals a period when they are more likely to turn up. Some reasons for this are the following:

Seasonal shifts and their impact

The general weather and low temperatures during autumn prompt many Australian pests to become more active than usual. This season also marks a period for many of them to start preparing for hibernation come wintertime.

The role of habitat and food supply

Homes can seem attractive to pest animals or vermin looking for a place to protect them from the elements. Residential properties with gardens are even more appealing to any seasonal pest since these places can make food and water easily accessible to them.

Common autumn pests in Australian homes

Here is a list identifying the most common home and garden pests in Australia:

Rats and mice

A house rat peeking from a small crate (Source: iStock)

These pesky rodents are drawn indoors during autumn as they seek a warm place to stay. They tend to nest within walls, leave droppings behind, and gnaw on property, causing damage. Additionally, these invasive animals in Australia can bring about a slew of diseases, such as rat-bite fever, leptospirosis, and typhus.

Cockroaches

A close-up of a brown cockroach in autumn (Source: iStock)

Cockroaches can be a source of headaches during autumn, a time when they usually breed. These common bugs in homes are typically found in places with easy food access. They are also known for being resilient; roaches can be resistant to certain insecticides, hold their breath for a few minutes, and survive for up to a few weeks after being decapitated.

Spiders

A redback spider beside its web (Source: iStock)

Common house spiders in Australia include the redback, black house, and huntsman spiders, as well as the daddy long legs. During autumn, you may find them under your furniture and toilet seats, on ceilings and walls, and in corners that get no sun.

Ants

Big ants feasting on sugary bread (Source: iStock)

During the colder months, you may find ant colonies in your home as they try to seek both shelter and food. Trails of them can easily slip in unsealed doors, windows, and wall cracks to look for crumbs in your couch and food on your dinner table.

Silverfish and moths

Three silverfish devouring the pages of an old book (Source: iStock)

These Australian house insects are drawn to moist and very humid environments. The silverfish is fond of silk, cotton, and linen fabrics; books; and wallpaper paste. Meanwhile, moths prefer wool, sugar, and grains.

Garden invaders to watch out for this autumn

Below are some of the most common garden pests that you may encounter during autumn:

Termites

A home's wooden foundation damaged by termites (Source: iStock)

Some types of termites thrive when their surroundings are damp. For this reason, you may find them in your garden during autumn—causing structural damage to wooden fences and walls, as well as plants and trees.

Snails and slugs

A snail making its way through grassy ground (Source: iStock)

Snails and slugs—molluscs with an appetite for leafy vegetables, fruits, and flowers—are probably in your garden if your plants have irregularly shaped holes and mucous trails. These plant pests are more active when the sun goes down or is hiding behind clouds and when their surroundings are foggy or cold.

Aphids and whiteflies

Black aphids thriving on a plant's stem (Source: iStock)

These clusters of insects may look tiny, but their effect on your garden can be damaging. Aphids and whiteflies are rapidly reproducing pests that can cause mould to grow in your plants after leaving a sticky residue behind.

Citrus pests

A close-up of a bronze orange bug resting on a leaf (Source: iStock)

Citrus pests, like weevils, leafminers, and bronze orange bugs, are named as such because they tend to infest garden plants and trees of the Citrus genus. Both the larvae and adult versions of these insects feed on and damage leaves, flowers, and fruits.

White curl grubs

A close-up of white grubs on garden soil (Source: iStock)

Also called cockchafers, these C-shaped pests like burrowing into the soil to eat roots, eventually resulting in stunted plants and dry patches of grass and other weed species.

Australia’s niche and regional pests in autumn

Australia has its fair share of endemic and niche pest species, including the following:

Olive lace bugs

A close-up of lace bug on a leaf (Source: iStock)

Olive lace bugs are pests with a specific preference for olive trees. They are usually found on the undersurface of leaves, feeding on sap and causing plant tissues to die. Their spread has been accelerating in recent years due to changes in climate patterns.

Australian plague locusts

An Australian plague locust ready to take flight (Source: iStock)

This type of locust is particularly active during autumn, targeting green-coloured plants in gardens. As adults, they fly and bite off the heads of moisture-rich grains and other crops.

Cabbage white butterflies

A cabbage white butterfly with folded wings (Source: iStock)

Cabbage white butterflies, as one can gather from the name, love to feed on plants from the Brassica genus, including cauliflower and broccoli. The tiny mouthparts of their larvae munch on leaves, and they leave behind excrements that cause discolouration.

Azalea lace bugs

A top view of a chrysanthemum lace bug (Source: iStock)

Beautiful azaleas and rhododendrons can have their leaves damaged once azalea lace bugs infest them; these insects suck on tissue fluids and excrete faecal wastes, which cause leaf stippling, bleaching, and discolouration.

Rabbits and possums

A cute rabbit licking its foot (Source: iStock)

In the eyes of these mostly herbivorous mammals, gardens can look very attractive during autumn when food and shelter are hard to come by. Just like feral cats and wild dogs, both foreign and native species of rabbits and possums can cause extensive damage to your flourishing vegetation by destroying the landscape and consuming fruits, grasses, and buds.

Practical tips for autumn pest control

You can keep major pests away from your home and garden during the autumn season by taking these measures:

Secure your home

Installing weatherstripping to keep pests out (Source: iStock)

In the context of pest control, securing your home doesn’t just mean locking entry points; it also involves sealing possible cracks and openings, including those around doors and windows, as well as sinks and baseboards. Weatherstripping, installing mesh screens, and caulking are some ways to close these gaps.

Clean and declutter

Pests thrive in dirty environments; they usually scour through open bins full of trash and target spills and crumbs. Hence, regularly cleaning, removing possible hiding spots, and decluttering your home can deter them from being part of your household.

Perform garden maintenance

A wheelbarrow full of fallen leaves in autumn (Source: iStock)

Maintaining your garden’s landscape—which involves trimming and pruning plants, getting rid of dead leaves, and tidying up items like unused pots and pails—leaves no areas for pests to take shelter during autumn.

Use traps and barriers wisely

Some environment-friendly ways to trap pests and keep them from entering the perimeters of your property are using sticky traps, scattering diatomaceous earth, spraying essential oils, and using baits with non-toxic materials. These methods will be more effective if done or placed in a natural environment where pests are likely to enter or loiter.

Spring into action early

To detect the presence of pests before they take over your home and garden, it’s important to conduct regular inspections and monitoring. You should also be wary of any possible infestation by taking note of signs like strange sounds and odour, animal or insect marks, droppings, and damage to property or objects.

Keep your home and garden pest-free with Airtasker

Preventing and getting rid of infestations can be easy-peasy with the help of Airtasker’s pest controllers. Many of these experts are well-versed in handling different critters, from colonies of tiny insects to herds of invasive mammals.

If you want to reach out to a pest control professional on the platform, just create an account and post a task with details such as:

• Your location;

• Your budget; and

• The type of pest you are dealing with.

Once you receive personalised quotes, you can pick a qualified Tasker who suits your budget.