Covert Destruction: How to Find Hiding Household Pests

Your home should be your haven, and to achieve this, it should also be pest free. However, these devious unwanted roommates can prove hard to find unless you know exactly where to look. If you don't find them quickly, a small colony can quickly escalate into a full-blown infestation, and the key to stopping this is early prevention.

Common Australian Household Pests

There are several pests you'll find in Australia, and some are more worrisome than others, especially when they get into your home. These include:

• Ants
• Cockroaches
• Rats
• Spiders

If these infestations strike your home, you need to know precisely what to do.

How to Find and Neutralise Ant Infestations

In Australia, ants are a common household pest that has an annoying habit of entering homes when foraging for water and food. Here are some ways to prevent them: 

• Take a look around your home. If you spot any obvious ant entry points, or maybe even a nest or a trail, it is time to take preventative measures so more ants don't get into your home. 
• Store food carefully. You can also prevent ants from appearing in your home by cleaning up any food or drink spills.
• Keep ants out. Seal up any cracks you find that lead indoors.

Stop the Creepy Cockroach Invasion Before it Begins

Cockroaches are one pest that many people dread finding anywhere near their home, let alone inside. Here are some common signs to look for, as well as how to get rid of them: 

• Be aware of the health risks. These creatures present health risks to anyone in the home, and they can contaminate food, utensils, and any place you prepare food by leaving droppings in the area. 
• Check around your home. If you notice cockroach droppings, egg cases, carcasses, legs, or a specific odour, you may have an infestation. Since cockroaches are hard to get rid of, you may want to consult a professional instead of removing them yourself. 

Seal your Home to Prevent Rats from Getting Inside

Rats are another common pest in Australia. They can do damage to your foundation and your belongings, and here's how to find them:  

• Listen for scratching sounds at night. As rats are a nocturnal pest, you may hear scratching sounds coming from inside your walls at night, and this is usually one of the first signs you'll notice, along with droppings and a distinct odour.  
• Don't forget any dark, warm areas. Be sure to look at your skirting boards for teeth or rub marks, and check behind your appliances for rat nests. These animals love nesting in warm, dark places, so this is the first place you should look.

Check Dark Corners for Spiders and Spider Webs

As the spring temperature rises, spiders will be out and about. Some spiders can be potentially deadly, and you want to check these places carefully: 

• Check for spider webs. They like to make their webs in dark corners, but they might also fix their egg sacs to your ceilings or walls. A good spring cleaning can help rid your home of spiders.
• Shake your clothing. Be sure not to leave clothing on the floor for them to get into and nest. It is also a good idea to shake your shoes before you put them on as the warm, dark environment is perfect for a spider to hide.

Common Areas in Which Household Pests Like to Hide

Household pests have several areas in your home where they love to hide, and you want to make it a priority to check these spaces every week or so: 

•  Look in damp and dark spots. Damp bathrooms and dark corners are excellent hiding places for spiders, termites, and cockroaches. 
• Check your attics and basements. Additionally, if there are areas of your home where you don't often go like an attic or a basement, check them often as these can also be excellent hiding spots for pests. 
• Don't forget your kitchen. Your kitchen can provide an ample food and water source for pests as well, and there are plenty of warm, dark areas in here for them to build nests and to hide out. This is why routine checks and cleanings of all of these areas are so important. You want to get on top of your pest problem before it escalates into a bigger health risk. 

Knowing what the common household pests are, and using these tips to get rid of them can help you to make your home a healthy, safe haven for your family to live in and enjoy for years to come.