Every year we’re susceptible to all kinds of bugs, beetles, insects, and general pests. Different pests appear at different times of the year. Some are harmless while others are fatal, particularly to those who have a history of allergic reactions to bites and stings.
Prepare yourself and your family from these household pests by knowing what bugs are around at which time of the year. To make this easy for you, we’ve prepared a guide to the most common pests, including where they’re usually found hiding and at what times of year they appear.
September - November
St. Andrews Cross Spider
Latin name: Argiope keyserlingi
Common name: St. Andrews Cross Spider
Description: This spider will pair their legs off into a ‘cross’ shape. Their webs are often decorated with an X, using a ribbon-like silk that reflects UV light extremely well. Although the spiders themselves are not thought to be harmful to humans, their webs are designed to attract flying insects like bees and wasps. The spiders and their nests are often thought to attract other, more harmful, pests to the home.
Where you’ll find them: Usually in low bushes around homes. Also in rainforest margins, open forests, and heathlands.
Common In: Summer
Other: Although most prevalent in Summer, their mating season spans between Summer right through to Autumn
Redback spider
Latin name: Latrodectus hasselti
Common name: Redback spider
Description: This spider is black, but females have a red stripe on their backs. Females are around 12mm in size, while men are roughly 3mm in size. These spiders are extremely dangerous, however their initial bite won’t be very painful. The effects of the bite become prevalent after roughly five minutes, with sweating occurring around the site of the bite. The victim may also experience muscular weakness, paralysis, stiffness, and tremors.
Where you’ll find them: Around dry, sheltered areas around homes, gardens, and park areas. They’re sometimes found in dark, undisturbed areas inside the home.
Common In: Summer
Other: These spiders will feed on insects, other spiders, and small lizards. Small skinks that are caught in their web will have their blood sucked dry, and their bodies will be removed from the web once the spider is finished with it.
Huntsman spider
Latin name: Neosparassus sparassidae
Common name: Huntsman spider
Description: This large spider is brown in colour and can reach a size of up to 18 mm wide. Although not aggressive towards humans, their bite can sometimes cause illness in some people.
Where you’ll find them: Their home is naturally around forest and woodland areas, however many people find them in homes in hard to reach areas like ceiling cornices and cupboards.
Common In: Summer
Other: Their primary source of food are insects that it ambushes.
Greenhouse Whitefly
Latin name: Trialeurodes vaporariorum
Common name: Greenhouse Whitefly
Description: These insects look very similar to a common moth. They have pale white wings and are around 1.5 mm in size. They breed throughout the warmer months. They’re quite the pest, as they like to feed on many different plants such as cotton, sunflower, avocado, cucumber, tomato, and potato. They can often cause many plants and crops to produce a poor yield.
Where you’ll find them: They’re often found on garden plants, vegetables, and fruits when feeding on them. They can also be found on poinsettias, hibiscus, and begonia plants.
Common In: Autumn
Other: Eggs are laid under plant leaves, so controlling them can be done by regular checking of leaves for eggs or bug activity.
Cabbage aphid
Latin name: Brevicoryne brassicae
Common name: Cabbage aphid
Description: These are a common agricultural pest within Australia. They have stocky rounded bodies that are grey to light green in colour. They mainly will destroy and feed on the cabbage family of plants (brassicas).
Where you’ll find them: These bugs will appear directly on the plants, as they will feed on them and cause destruction to the plant. They’re also a pest to Canola in some areas.
Common In: Autumn
Other: Dense infestation will suck the sap of flowering spikes and can reduce the yield of crops significantly.
German cockroach
Latin name: Blattella germanica
Common name: German cockroach
Description: This particular cockroach is pale brown in colour and is between 12 and 16 mm in length. They can live up to a month without food, so long as water is available. These bugs are predominantly nocturnal, and can leave an unpleasant smell when in dense populations.
Where you’ll find them: They’re quite common and can be found everywhere from homes to shops to restaurants. They prefer warm, humid conditions and will often avoid the light, so can be found in darker areas. Common areas to find them include under fridges, behind dishwashing units, and in cupboards located near heat sources.
Common In: Summer
Other: Their lifespan is up to a year in length, and they can be transported to new areas via packaging and boxes taken to new areas (e.g. delivery trucks or people moving homes).
American cockroach
Latin name: Periplaneta americana
Common name: American cockroach
Description: Unlike the German cockroach, the American equivalent is a lot larger and can be up to 40 mm in size. They are reddish brown in colour, with yellowing features behind their head. They scuttle away when disturbed and can be a nuisance when searching homes for food and water.
Where you’ll find them: They’re often found in moist areas like the laundry and bathroom. They can also be seen around garages, garden sheds, and around rubbish.
Common In: Summer
Other: Although referred to as the ‘American’ cockroach, they are thought to have originated in Africa. However they are seen in places all over the world due to being transported in luggage bags and shipping containers.
Bees
Latin name: Apis mellifera
Common name: Honey bee
Description: These bees are dark brown with yellow bands along their abdomen. They defend their hive aggressively and will sting those who disturb them and their hive. Once they sting, they die. The sting, which is a part of the bee’s abdomen, is left in their victim. This sting can cause intense pain for many, and some people may even experience an allergic reaction as a result.
Where you’ll find them: In forests, woodland areas, and urban areas, feeding on nectar and pollen.
Common In: Summer and autumn
Other: This type of bee are an introduced species to Australia.
Indian myna bird
Latin name: Acridotheres tristis
Common name: Indian myna
Description: These birds are brown in colour with a glossy head, back, and neck. They can reach up to 26 cm in length, with a wingspan up to 142 mm long. They also have distinctive white patches on their wings, which are also visible while in flight. They pose several threats, such as reducing the breeding success of other native parrot species in Australia, as they are aggressive to other nesting hollows, even killing chicks and destroying the eggs of other birds. They also damage fruits, vegetable, and cereal crops and cause noise pollution in residential areas, potential allergies, and can possibly carry avian malaria. Their nests are also large and bulky, causing disturbances to buildings and residential areas.
Where you’ll find them: These birds are found from eastern Victoria right through the eastern coast of Australia up to Cairns. They prefer warm to hot climates, and are found in open habitats like gardens, cleared agricultural areas, and parks.
Common In: Summer
Other: These birds originated from the Middle East, India, and Asia.
Beetles
Latin name: Xylotrupes ulysses
Common name: Rhinoceros beetle, elephant beetle
Description: This beetle is a large, dark beetle. The males are distinguished by their horn which replicates the shape of a rhinoceros. The females, however, do not have the horn and appear more like a standard scarab beetle shape. They feed on nectar, plant sap, and fruits, which can cause destruction to plants, flowers, and fruits. They also make a loud hissing sound when threatened, although they are generally harmless.
Where you’ll find them: In coastal areas of Queensland, often in gardens and plant matter.
Common In: Autumn
Other: Their tiny claws can grip onto clothing fairly tightly.
Mud dauber wasp
Latin name: Sceliphron sphecidae
Common name: Mud dauber wasp
Description: These wasps build small mud nests on the sides of buildings and homes, sheds, garages, and roof eaves. They are 25mm in size, and are distinguished by their large black and deep orange colouring in bands on their bodies. They build their nest and prey on spiders, which they then place inside their nests. Their larvae then feed on the spiders once they’ve hatched from their eggs.
Where you’ll find them: These wasps will often be found around mud patches near river banks. You’ll also find them in muddy areas of grass after rainfall, where they’ll be gathering mud for their nests. They’re also found around the home.
Common In: Summer and autumn
Other: These wasps can cause a painful sting that can affect some people more than others, especially if allergic to stings.
Paper wasp
Latin name: Polistes humilis
Common name: Common paper wasp
Description: The common paper wasp is between 10-15 mm long and build nests under eaves, in shrubs, and around pergolas. They usually share their colony with up to 20 others and will build a nest that looks like paper (hence their name). These particular wasps are very aggressive and will sting anyone who comes close to their nest. They continue to sting until the person is at a fair distance away from the nest. It’s the aggressive nature of these wasps, and some people’s allergies to such stings can cause major issues.
Where you’ll find them: In and around homes, with their nests hanging from eaves and around pergolas.
Common In: Summer
Other: It’s best to spray their nests with appropriate insecticide at night. This is when the wasps will be resting and easier to spray.
Black ant
Latin name: Ochetellus glabe
Common name: Black ant
Description: These annoying pests will often make their way under doorways and cracks in the home, and will usually find their way to the kitchen where they can carry food back to their hive.
Where you’ll find them: They’re likely to be found in and around the kitchen, especially when food is present. Their trail is often found leading to their hive outside the home. Their nests are usually found around pathways, stone work, cracks, and crevices.
Common In: Summer
Other: Ants are attracted to sweeter foods, but also tend to eat seeds and plants.
Green ant
Latin name: Rhytidoponera metallica
Common name: Green ant or green-head ant
Description: Although not aggressive, the green ant’s sting can be quite painful for most people, and can even cause a bad local reaction for others.
Where you’ll find them: Green ants are usually found on the ground or in low vegetation. Their nests are usually around the soil, amongst grass, rocks, or even out in the open.
Common In: Summer
Other: Green ants prey on insects and worms, however they also eat sugary food, and some insects like to collect the honey dew from them.
Fleas
Latin name: Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis
Common name: Dog flea and Cat flea
Description: Fleas are wingless insects that are commonly found on domestic cats and dogs. They’re usually quite small and are reddish-brown in colour. Adult fleas feed on the blood of their host. They are more of a pest to your pets, but can also cause itchiness in some humans.
Where you’ll find them: Commonly found on cats and dogs, however with bad infestations they can also be found in bedding, sofas, furniture, and carpets. They are also found in grass and shrubbery.
Common In: Summer
Other: Brushing your pets and using pest control sprays specific to your pets will ensure they are kept under control.
Scrub tick
Latin name: Ixodes holocyclus
Common name: Scrub tick
Description: Scrub ticks are small bugs that are a part of the arachnid family, but aren’t true spiders. They’re pale brown in colour but females that have had a feed of blood are often engorged and pale blue in colour. Although rare, these ticks can cause illness in some humans, particularly young children.
Where you’ll find them: More commonly found on cats and dogs, (which can be lethal to them if untreated), they are also found in areas of bushland with high levels of humidity, rainforests, woodlands, and open forests.
Common In: Summer
Other: When removing a tick, it is best to use fine tweezers and grab them as close as possible to the skin contact at their head. Gently pull them away from the skin. Avid pulling from their abdomen, as this usually leaves the tick's head in the animal or person.
December - February
Black ant
Latin name: Ochetellus glabe
Common name: Black ant
Description: These annoying pests will often make their way under doorways and cracks in the home, and will usually find their way to the kitchen where they can carry food back to their hive.
Where you’ll find them: They’re likely to be found in and around the kitchen, especially when food is present. Their trail is often found leading to their hive outside the home. Their nests are usually found around pathways, stone work, cracks, and crevices.
Common In: Summer
Other: Ants are attracted to sweeter foods, but also tend to eat seeds and plants.
Green ant
Latin name: Rhytidoponera metallica
Common name: Green ant or green-head ant
Description: Although not aggressive, the green ant’s sting can be quite painful for most people, and can even cause a bad local reaction for others.
Where you’ll find them: Green ants are usually found on the ground or in low vegetation. Their nests are usually around the soil, amongst grass, rocks, or even out in the open.
Common In: Summer
Other: Green ants prey on insects and worms, however they also eat sugary food, and some insects like to collect the honey dew from them.
Silverfish
Latin name: Ctenolepisma longicaudata
Common name: Silverfish
Description: Silverfish will feed on paper and fabric, so can often destroy items made of these items.
Where you’ll find them: In the dark, in undisturbed areas like bookshelves and cupboards.
Common In: Summer
Other: Silverfish have a long, soft body covered in scales, and can often live for up to four years.
Possums
Latin name: Trichosurus vulpecula
Common name: Common brushtail possum
Description: The common brushtail possum is a large possum with a bushy tail, usually grey in colour. They have pointed ears and are nocturnal in nature. They usually become a pest when they retreat to roof cavities of homes and create a disturbance.
Where you’ll find them: All across Australia and also in New Zealand. Often found in large Eucalyptus trees, but in urban areas can also be found on the roofs of homes
Common In: Summer
Other: Their diet mainly consists of leaves, blossoms, and fruits. However they also eat invertebrates on occasion.
Bees
Latin name: Apis mellifera
Common name: Honey bee
Description: These bees are dark brown with yellow bands along their abdomen. They defend their hive aggressively and will sting those who disturb them and their hive. Once they sting, they die. The sting, which is a part of the bee’s abdomen, is left in their victim. This sting can cause intense pain for many, and some people may even experience an allergic reaction as a result.
Where you’ll find them: In forests, woodland areas, and urban areas, feeding on nectar and pollen.
Common In: Summer and autumn
Other: This type of bee are an introduced species to Australia.
Red-bellied black snake
Latin name: Pseudechis porphyriacus
Common name: Red-bellied black snake
Description: This snake is a glossy, dark black colour with red colouring on its underside. Usually around 1.5 metres long, they can reach to a size of 2 metres in length. They are highly venomous and very dangerous.
Where you’ll find them: Along the east coast of Australia, from the southeastern Cape York Peninsula right through to southeastern South Australia. They’re usually found near river and creek beds, rainforests, and wet eucalypt forests.
Common In: Summer
Other: This snake feeds on frogs, reptiles, and small mammals.
Bed bugs
Latin name: Cimex lectularius
Common name: Bed bug
Description: Bed bugs are a wingless, nocturnal pest that have a flat, oval-shaped body. They’re light brown or red-brown, depending on whether they have fed on blood or not. Bed bugs make contact with humans only when feeding, and will leave a large, red, itchy mark when they bite. They’re not thought to transmit any diseases to humans.
Where you’ll find them: In dark areas, usually where people sleep. They’re often found under mattresses or bed frames, behind picture frames on the walls, in the crevices of walls, and in carpets. Bed bugs are often found in places like hotels, motels, and residential units, and are easily transportable inside luggage bags, bedding, and furniture.
Common In: Summer
Other: The mouths of bed bugs have been adapted in order to pierce through skin and feed on blood. They normally feed on humans, but will also feed on other mammals if no humans are available.
St. Andrews Cross Spider
Latin name: Argiope keyserlingi
Common name: St. Andrews Cross Spider
Description: This spider will pair their legs off into a ‘cross’ shape. Their webs are often decorated with an X, using a ribbon-like silk that reflects UV light extremely well. Although the spiders themselves are not thought to be harmful to humans, their webs are designed to attract flying insects like bees and wasps. The spiders and their nests are often thought to attract other, more harmful, pests to the home.
Where you’ll find them: Usually in low bushes around homes. Also in rainforest margins, open forests, and heathlands.
Common In: Summer
Other: Although most prevalent in Summer, their mating season spans between Summer right through to Autumn
Redback spider
Latin name: Latrodectus hasselti
Common name: Redback spider
Description: This spider is black, but females have a red stripe on their backs. Females are around 12mm in size, while men are roughly 3mm in size. These spiders are extremely dangerous, however their initial bite won’t be very painful. The effects of the bite become prevalent after roughly five minutes, with sweating occurring around the site of the bite. The victim may also experience muscular weakness, paralysis, stiffness, and tremors.
Where you’ll find them: Around dry, sheltered areas around homes, gardens, and park areas. They’re sometimes found in dark, undisturbed areas inside the home.
Common In: Summer
Other: These spiders will feed on insects, other spiders, and small lizards. Small skinks that are caught in their web will have their blood sucked dry, and their bodies will be removed from the web once the spider is finished with it.
Huntsman spider
Latin name: Neosparassus sparassidae
Common name: Huntsman spider
Description: This large spider is brown in colour and can reach a size of up to 18 mm wide. Although not aggressive towards humans, their bite can sometimes cause illness in some people.
Where you’ll find them: Their home is naturally around forest and woodland areas, however many people find them in homes in hard to reach areas like ceiling cornices and cupboards.
Common In: Summer
Other: Their primary source of food are insects that it ambushes.
Christmas beetle
Latin name: Anoplognathus pallidicollis
Common name: Christmas beetle
Description: This light brown beetle is a harmless bug, but will often be found flying and crawling around outside lit areas near the home. They can also enter the home and fly around living areas that are well lit. They lay their eggs in the soil and the larvae develop in the soil over a year. The larvae feed on roots in the soil and in gardens, this can appear as yellow patches on the grass.
Where you’ll find them: Christmas beetles appear in lit areas like outdoor barbecue areas, and will sometimes enter homes. They are often seen in the warmer months leading up to Christmas, hence their name.
Common In: Summer
Other: Many people associate the sight of the Christmas beetle with the upcoming Christmas season.
Termites
Latin name: Coptotermes acinaciformis
Common name: Subterranean termites, white ants
Description: These pests can be extremely destructive to homes and other buildings and structures like fences and garden beds.
Where you’ll find them: Their colonies are built either underground or at the base of a tree, with many subsidiary nests built away from the main colony. There can be millions of termites in one colony. Subsidiary nests also appear in the walls of homes and buildings, and generally near a source of water to gain moisture (for example, leaky pipes).
Common In: Summer and autumn
Other: Termites will travel up to 100 metres underground from their colony in search for food.
House flies
Latin name: Musca domestica
Common name: House fly
Description: These are the most common of the flies that appear. They are a household pest that are quite common, and are distinguished by their four narrow stripes along the thorax. They often cause issues in homes by being an annoyance and by breeding, causing maggots to appear in the home.
Where you’ll find them: Flies will appear in warm weather, particularly if food is present. They pose quite a disturbance during gatherings outside, such as barbecues. You’ll usually find them close to food sources.
Common In: Summer
Other: Although it appears that they feed on solids, flies actually feed on liquid foods.
March flies
Latin name: Tabanidae family
Common name: March flies or horse flies
Description: These flies are larger than the common house fly. They are a pest at outdoor events like picnics, as some of them can bite humans and cause a reaction in some people.
Where you’ll find them: Just like the common house fly, they’re present around food sources in the warmer months.
Common In: Summer
Other: Male march flies feed on nectar, whereas the females feed on the blood of animals and humans.
Mosquito
Latin name: Culicidae family
Common name: Mosquito
Description: Mosquitos are small flies that are well known for their size, bite, and high pitched sound. The annoyance of them is most commonly found with their bite, as it can cause allergic reactions in some people. Those who do not have allergic reactions will still have itchy bites.
Where you’ll find them: They appear more often in the late afternoon and at dusk, around tropical and subtropical areas near water.
Common In: Summer
Other: Just like march lies, only female mosquitoes feed on blood. Many mosquito species also carry different kinds of diseases, making them a danger.
Dengue mosquito
Latin name: Aedes aegypti
Common name: Dengue mosquito
Description: This particular breed of mosquito is dark coloured, with white markings on the back and legs. This mosquito is problematic as it’s a carrier of Dengue fever, yellow fever, Murray Valley encephalitis, and Ross River virus.
Where you’ll find them: In Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory, and southern New South Wales. They’re found in and around homes.
Common In: Summer
Other: The Dengue mosquito can bite in the evenings as well as during the day.
Fleas
Latin name: Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis
Common name: Dog flea and Cat flea
Description: Fleas are wingless insects that are commonly found on domestic cats and dogs. They’re usually quite small and are reddish-brown in colour. Adult fleas feed on the blood of their host. They are more of a pest to your pets, but can also cause itchiness in some humans.
Where you’ll find them: Commonly found on cats and dogs, however with bad infestations they can also be found in bedding, sofas, furniture, and carpets. They are also found in grass and shrubbery.
Common In: Summer
Other: Brushing your pets and using pest control sprays specific to your pets will ensure they are kept under control.
Scrub tick
Latin name: Ixodes holocyclus
Common name: Scrub tick
Description: Scrub ticks are small bugs that are a part of the arachnid family, but aren’t true spiders. They’re pale brown in colour but females that have had a feed of blood are often engorged and pale blue in colour. Although rare, these ticks can cause illness in some humans, particularly young children.
Where you’ll find them: More commonly found on cats and dogs, (which can be lethal to them if untreated), they are also found in areas of bushland with high levels of humidity, rainforests, woodlands, and open forests.
Common In: Summer
Other: When removing a tick, it is best to use fine tweezers and grab them as close as possible to the skin contact at their head. Gently pull them away from the skin. Avid pulling from their abdomen, as this usually leaves the tick's head in the animal or person.
Mice
Latin name: Mus musculus
Common name: House mouse
Description: The house mouse is often pale grey and brown with a white underside. Their head and body length ranges from 6-10 cm, with the tail reaching up to 10 cm in length. House mice are pests as they often eat food stores of humans and other animals, causing destruction and food wastage.
Where you’ll find them: These pests are found in all areas of Australia, in places such as cupboards, behind appliances, in roof cavities, garden sheds, and areas where food is stored, such as chicken and horse food stores.
Common In: Summer and autumn
Other: House mice can breed at an alarming rate, and they can start breeding from just eight weeks of age. Their litter is between four and eight, and their fast breeding time frame means that plagues of mice can occur quickly.
Mud dauber wasp
Latin name: Sceliphron sphecidae
Common name: Mud dauber wasp
Description: These wasps build small mud nests on the sides of buildings and homes, sheds, garages, and roof eaves. They are 25mm in size, and are distinguished by their large black and deep orange colouring in bands on their bodies. They build their nest and prey on spiders, which they then place inside their nests. Their larvae then feed on the spiders once they’ve hatched from their eggs.
Where you’ll find them: These wasps will often be found around mud patches near river banks. You’ll also find them in muddy areas of grass after rainfall, where they’ll be gathering mud for their nests. They’re also found around the home.
Common In: Summer and autumn
Other: These wasps can cause a painful sting that can affect some people more than others, especially if allergic to stings.
Paper wasp
Latin name: Polistes humilis
Common name: Common paper wasp
Description: The common paper wasp is between 10-15 mm long and build nests under eaves, in shrubs, and around pergolas. They usually share their colony with up to 20 others and will build a nest that looks like paper (hence their name). These particular wasps are very aggressive and will sting anyone who comes close to their nest. They continue to sting until the person is at a fair distance away from the nest. It’s the aggressive nature of these wasps, and some people’s allergies to such stings can cause major issues.
Where you’ll find them: In and around homes, with their nests hanging from eaves and around pergolas.
Common In: Summer
Other: It’s best to spray their nests with appropriate insecticide at night. This is when the wasps will be resting and easier to spray.
German cockroach
Latin name: Blattella germanica
Common name: German cockroach
Description: This particular cockroach is pale brown in colour and is between 12 and 16 mm in length. They can live up to a month without food, so long as water is available. These bugs are predominantly nocturnal, and can leave an unpleasant smell when in dense populations.
Where you’ll find them: They’re quite common and can be found everywhere from homes to shops to restaurants. They prefer warm, humid conditions and will often avoid the light, so can be found in darker areas. Common areas to find them include under fridges, behind dishwashing units, and in cupboards located near heat sources.
Common In: Summer
Other: Their lifespan is up to a year in length, and they can be transported to new areas via packaging and boxes taken to new areas (e.g. delivery trucks or people moving homes).
American cockroach
Latin name: Periplaneta americana
Common name: American cockroach
Description: Unlike the German cockroach, the American equivalent is a lot larger and can be up to 40 mm in size. They are reddish brown in colour, with yellowing features behind their head. They scuttle away when disturbed and can be a nuisance when searching homes for food and water.
Where you’ll find them: They’re often found in moist areas like the laundry and bathroom. They can also be seen around garages, garden sheds, and around rubbish.
Common In: Summer
Other: Although referred to as the ‘American’ cockroach, they are thought to have originated in Africa. However they are seen in places all over the world due to being transported in luggage bags and shipping containers.
Earwigs
Latin name: Elaunon bipartitus
Common name: Earwig
Description: Although not too much of a pest to people, the earwig can disturb the home and cause discomfort to many. They eat plant matter and dead insects, but are predominantly omnivorous. They have small pincers at their end, and will sometimes curl them up towards something if they feel threatened.
Where you’ll find them: Earwigs are often found in moist environments like mulch, debris, or leaf matter.
Common In: Summer
Other: Earwigs crawling into people’s ears in the middle of the night is a myth.
Crickets
Latin name: Teleogryllus commodus
Common name: Black field cricket
Description: These crickets are dark in colour and black on most parts of their body. During the day they hide in the cracks of the soil or in vegetation, but will emerge at dusk and at night. The males make a sound at night by rubbing their wings together. When there is a large amount of these bugs they can create an almost deafening sound.
Where you’ll find them: All throughout Australia, most commonly in forests, heaths, and urban residential areas.
Common In: Summer
Other: These creatures feed on decaying plant material and other dead insects.
March - May
Mud dauber wasp
Latin name: Sceliphron sphecidae
Common name: Mud dauber wasp
Description: These wasps build small mud nests on the sides of buildings and homes, sheds, garages, and roof eaves. They are 25mm in size, and are distinguished by their large black and deep orange colouring in bands on their bodies. They build their nest and prey on spiders, which they then place inside their nests. Their larvae then feed on the spiders once they’ve hatched from their eggs.
Where you’ll find them: These wasps will often be found around mud patches near river banks. You’ll also find them in muddy areas of grass after rainfall, where they’ll be gathering mud for their nests. They’re also found around the home.
Common In: Summer
Other: These wasps can cause a painful sting that can affect some people more than others, especially if allergic to stings.
Paper wasp
Latin name: Polistes humilis
Common name: Common paper wasp
Description: The common paper wasp is between 10-15 mm long and build nests under eaves, in shrubs, and around pergolas. They usually share their colony with up to 20 others and will build a nest that looks like paper (hence their name). These particular wasps are very aggressive and will sting anyone who comes close to their nest. They continue to sting until the person is at a fair distance away from the nest. It’s the aggressive nature of these wasps, and some people’s allergies to such stings can cause major issues.
Where you’ll find them: In and around homes, with their nests hanging from eaves and around pergolas.
Common In: Summer
Other: It’s best to spray their nests with appropriate insecticide at night. This is when the wasps will be resting and easier to spray.
Mice
Latin name: Mus musculus
Common name: House mouse
Description: The house mouse is often pale grey and brown with a white underside. Their head and body length ranges from 6-10 cm, with the tail reaching up to 10 cm in length. House mice are pests as they often eat food stores of humans and other animals, causing destruction and food wastage.
Where you’ll find them: These pests are found in all areas of Australia, in places such as cupboards, behind appliances, in roof cavities, garden sheds, and areas where food is stored, such as chicken and horse food stores.
Common In: Summer
Other: House mice can breed at an alarming rate, and they can start breeding from just eight weeks of age. Their litter is between four and eight, and their fast breeding time frame means that plagues of mice can occur quickly.
Bees
Latin name: Apis mellifera
Common name: Honey bee
Description: These bees are dark brown with yellow bands along their abdomen. They defend their hive aggressively and will sting those who disturb them and their hive. Once they sting, they die. The sting, which is a part of the bee’s abdomen, is left in their victim. This sting can cause intense pain for many, and some people may even experience an allergic reaction as a result.
Where you’ll find them: In forests, woodland areas, and urban areas, feeding on nectar and pollen.
Common In: Summer and autumn
Other: This type of bee are an introduced species to Australia.
Greenhouse Whitefly
Latin name: Trialeurodes vaporariorum
Common name: Greenhouse Whitefly
Description: These insects look very similar to a common moth. They have pale white wings and are around 1.5 mm in size. They breed throughout the warmer months. They’re quite the pest, as they like to feed on many different plants such as cotton, sunflower, avocado, cucumber, tomato, and potato. They can often cause many plants and crops to produce a poor yield.
Where you’ll find them: They’re often found on garden plants, vegetables, and fruits when feeding on them. They can also be found on poinsettias, hibiscus, and begonia plants.
Common In: Autumn
Other: Eggs are laid under plant leaves, so controlling them can be done by regular checking of leaves for eggs or bug activity.
Cabbage aphid
Latin name: Brevicoryne brassicae
Common name: Cabbage aphid
Description: These are a common agricultural pest within Australia. They have stocky rounded bodies that are grey to light green in colour. They mainly will destroy and feed on the cabbage family of plants (brassicas).
Where you’ll find them: These bugs will appear directly on the plants, as they will feed on them and cause destruction to the plant. They’re also a pest to Canola in some areas.
Common In: Autumn
Other: Dense infestation will suck the sap of flowering spikes and can reduce the yield of crops significantly.
Termites
Latin name: Coptotermes acinaciformis
Common name: Subterranean termites, white ants
Description: These pests can be extremely destructive to homes and other buildings and structures like fences and garden beds.
Where you’ll find them: Their colonies are built either underground or at the base of a tree, with many subsidiary nests built away from the main colony. There can be millions of termites in one colony. Subsidiary nests also appear in the walls of homes and buildings, and generally near a source of water to gain moisture (for example, leaky pipes).
Common In: Summer and autumn
Other: Termites will travel up to 100 metres underground from their colony in search for food.
Bed bugs
Latin name: Cimex lectularius
Common name: Bed bug
Description: Bed bugs are a wingless, nocturnal pest that have a flat, oval-shaped body. They’re light brown or red-brown, depending on whether they have fed on blood or not. Bed bugs make contact with humans only when feeding, and will leave a large, red, itchy mark when they bite. They’re not thought to transmit any diseases to humans.
Where you’ll find them: In dark areas, usually where people sleep. They’re often found under mattresses or bed frames, behind picture frames on the walls, in the crevices of walls, and in carpets. Bed bugs are often found in places like hotels, motels, and residential units, and are easily transportable inside luggage bags, bedding, and furniture.
Common In: Summer
Other: The mouths of bed bugs have been adapted in order to pierce through skin and feed on blood. They normally feed on humans, but will also feed on other mammals if no humans are available.
St. Andrews Cross Spider
Latin name: Argiope keyserlingi
Common name: St. Andrews Cross Spider
Description: This spider will pair their legs off into a ‘cross’ shape. Their webs are often decorated with an X, using a ribbon-like silk that reflects UV light extremely well. Although the spiders themselves are not thought to be harmful to humans, their webs are designed to attract flying insects like bees and wasps. The spiders and their nests are often thought to attract other, more harmful, pests to the home.
Where you’ll find them: Usually in low bushes around homes. Also in rainforest margins, open forests, and heathlands.
Common In: Summer
Other: Although most prevalent in Summer, their mating season spans between Summer right through to Autumn
Redback spider
Latin name: Latrodectus hasselti
Common name: Redback spider
Description: This spider is black, but females have a red stripe on their backs. Females are around 12mm in size, while men are roughly 3mm in size. These spiders are extremely dangerous, however their initial bite won’t be very painful. The effects of the bite become prevalent after roughly five minutes, with sweating occurring around the site of the bite. The victim may also experience muscular weakness, paralysis, stiffness, and tremors.
Where you’ll find them: Around dry, sheltered areas around homes, gardens, and park areas. They’re sometimes found in dark, undisturbed areas inside the home.
Common In: Summer
Other: These spiders will feed on insects, other spiders, and small lizards. Small skinks that are caught in their web will have their blood sucked dry, and their bodies will be removed from the web once the spider is finished with it.
Huntsman spider
Latin name: Neosparassus sparassidae
Common name: Huntsman spider
Description: This large spider is brown in colour and can reach a size of up to 18 mm wide. Although not aggressive towards humans, their bite can sometimes cause illness in some people.
Where you’ll find them: Their home is naturally around forest and woodland areas, however many people find them in homes in hard to reach areas like ceiling cornices and cupboards.
Common In: Summer
Other: Their primary source of food are insects that it ambushes.
Beetles
Latin name: Xylotrupes ulysses
Common name: Rhinoceros beetle, elephant beetle
Description: This beetle is a large, dark beetle. The males are distinguished by their horn which replicates the shape of a rhinoceros. The females, however, do not have the horn and appear more like a standard scarab beetle shape. They feed on nectar, plant sap, and fruits, which can cause destruction to plants, flowers, and fruits. They also make a loud hissing sound when threatened, although they are generally harmless.
Where you’ll find them: In coastal areas of Queensland, often in gardens and plant matter.
Common In: Autumn
Other: Their tiny claws can grip onto clothing fairly tightly.
June - August
St. Andrews Cross Spider
Latin name: Argiope keyserlingi
Common name: St. Andrews Cross Spider
Description: This spider will pair their legs off into a ‘cross’ shape. Their webs are often decorated with an X, using a ribbon-like silk that reflects UV light extremely well. Although the spiders themselves are not thought to be harmful to humans, their webs are designed to attract flying insects like bees and wasps. The spiders and their nests are often thought to attract other, more harmful, pests to the home.
Where you’ll find them: Usually in low bushes around homes. Also in rainforest margins, open forests, and heathlands.
Common In: Summer
Other: Although most prevalent in Summer, their mating season spans between Summer right through to Autumn
Redback spider
Latin name: Latrodectus hasselti
Common name: Redback spider
Description: This spider is black, but females have a red stripe on their backs. Females are around 12mm in size, while men are roughly 3mm in size. These spiders are extremely dangerous, however their initial bite won’t be very painful. The effects of the bite become prevalent after roughly five minutes, with sweating occurring around the site of the bite. The victim may also experience muscular weakness, paralysis, stiffness, and tremors.
Where you’ll find them: Around dry, sheltered areas around homes, gardens, and park areas. They’re sometimes found in dark, undisturbed areas inside the home.
Common In: Summer
Other: These spiders will feed on insects, other spiders, and small lizards. Small skinks that are caught in their web will have their blood sucked dry, and their bodies will be removed from the web once the spider is finished with it.
Huntsman spider
Latin name: Neosparassus sparassidae
Common name: Huntsman spider
Description: This large spider is brown in colour and can reach a size of up to 18 mm wide. Although not aggressive towards humans, their bite can sometimes cause illness in some people.
Where you’ll find them: Their home is naturally around forest and woodland areas, however many people find them in homes in hard to reach areas like ceiling cornices and cupboards.
Common In: Summer
Other: Their primary source of food are insects that it ambushes.
Termites
Latin name: Coptotermes acinaciformis
Common name: Subterranean termites, white ants
Description: These pests can be extremely destructive to homes and other buildings and structures like fences and garden beds.
Where you’ll find them: Their colonies are built either underground or at the base of a tree, with many subsidiary nests built away from the main colony. There can be millions of termites in one colony. Subsidiary nests also appear in the walls of homes and buildings, and generally near a source of water to gain moisture (for example, leaky pipes).
Common In: Summer and autumn
Other: Termites will travel up to 100 metres underground from their colony in search for food.
Mice
Latin name: Mus musculus
Common name: House mouse
Description: The house mouse is often pale grey and brown with a white underside. Their head and body length ranges from 6-10 cm, with the tail reaching up to 10 cm in length. House mice are pests as they often eat food stores of humans and other animals, causing destruction and food wastage.
Where you’ll find them: These pests are found in all areas of Australia, in places such as cupboards, behind appliances, in roof cavities, garden sheds, and areas where food is stored, such as chicken and horse food stores.
Common In: Summer and autumn
Other: House mice can breed at an alarming rate, and they can start breeding from just eight weeks of age. Their litter is between four and eight, and their fast breeding time frame means that plagues of mice can occur quickly.
Silverfish
Latin name: Ctenolepisma longicaudata
Common name: Silverfish
Description: They will feed on paper and fabric, so can often destroy items made of these materials.
Where you’ll find them: In dark, undisturbed areas like bookshelves and cupboards.
Common In: Winter
Other: Silverfish have a long, soft body covered in scales and can often live for up to four years.
German cockroach
Latin name: Blattella germanica
Common name: German cockroach
Description: This particular cockroach is pale brown in colour and is between 12 and 16 mm in length. They can live up to a month without food, so long as water is available. These bugs are predominantly nocturnal, and can leave an unpleasant smell when in dense populations.
Where you’ll find them: They’re quite common and can be found everywhere from homes to shops to restaurants. They prefer warm, humid conditions and will often avoid the light, so can be found in darker areas. Common areas to find them include under fridges, behind dishwashing units, and in cupboards located near heat sources.
Common In: Summer
Other: Their lifespan is up to a year in length, and they can be transported to new areas via packaging and boxes taken to new areas (e.g. delivery trucks or people moving homes).
