Spring is the season of new life, and that means pests numbers dramatically increase as things start to warm up. At this time, pretty much every pest species will be more active and looking to repopulate after winter. This blog dives into what spring pests you can expect to see more of and how to better protect your home.
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Aphids 
Australia has been experiencing above-average rainfall these past few years, which in turn promotes plant growth. More plant growth means aphids are more attracted to our gardens, which attracts even more pests.
Aphids are sap-sucking bugs that harm tree growth, destroy flowering plants and stunt fruit growth. The biggest problem with aphids is they can be a magnet for other pests. These small bugs drink sap and excrete a sweet ‘honeydew’ that attracts insects like ant colonies or flies.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches try to invade homes before winter so they have somewhere to bunker down when the outside temperature is low. One thing you need to know about cockroaches is that they love warm and damp environments. Spring is often blessed with light showers in Australia and as things get hotter, roaches get more active. Around September to November, homeowners and renters notice more and more cockroaches scurrying around. When there’s one, there is almost always more hidden away, so act swiftly to stop an infestation before it snowballs into a big issue.
Ants
During warmer months, ants are on the move to find shelter from the sun and rain. Many times that takes the form of a person’s home. You may notice an increase in worker ants that are looking to bring food back to their colony. If your home is an accessible food source for them, more and more ants will start paying your pantry a visit.
Flies & Mosquitos
Mosquitos tend to hit their peak in late spring to early summer. They are particularly active during mornings and evenings when humidity is highest. They are mostly attracted to stagnant water supplies where they lay their eggs. It’s best practice to empty all still water around your home, however, if you live near a body of water, they can be much harder to deal with.
Late spring is also when a lot of fruit-bearing plants ripen. An increase in food supply allows for flies to lay their eggs which boosts population numbers. Similarly to mosquitos, flies enjoy humid conditions and are attracted to any exposed food sources, waste or pet excrement.
Snakes
Snakes are spring pests that get more active after they come out of brumation. September marks the start of snake season when these critters are most active. Because many snakes try to find cover in Australian homes during winter, homeowners tend to experience a higher amount of encounters with them when they go to leave in spring and return to the outdoors.
Rodents
Even though rodents aren’t cold-blooded, they seek shelter during the winter and tend to be more active in spring. Mice are not seasonal breeders, so they can raise young through the winter. Still, because of more favourable climatic conditions, spring encourages rodents to move around more in search of food to feed their growing family. Even though they prefer to be outside during spring, once they make a nest in your home, it’s unlikely that they will move unless conditions become unfavourable for them.
Fleas
Your pets are probably itching to spend more time outside after a long winter of being kept indoors. Unfortunately, flea numbers are often higher in spring, especially after recent rainfall. Even a few fleas can become an uncontrollable problem quickly if it’s not handled by a professional. So, if you start to itch, make sure to seek expert support right away.
Birds
Most Australian birds breed from August to November. During that time, they may create a nest on or near your home. If this happens to you, do not attempt to remove the nest, or you may suffer a hefty penalty. Several protected birds choose to build their nests around human habitation. Instead of trying to remove the bird nests during mating season, we recommend installing preventative measures beforehand.
Get Professional Pest Treatment
Dealing with bugs is a lot easier when they haven’t had time to infest your home yet. Cure-All Pest Control can protect your home from pests no matter if they’ve worked their way in or not. We’ve been servicing the Brisbane region for over 50 years. If you want the best pest protection this spring, contact us today.
