Strata Management & Body Corporate

Common pests faced within the Property Industry

Common pests faced by the Property industry are as follows:

Termites

Termites mainly feed on wood, therefore, they can affect the strength and safety of an infested structure. It’s imperative that building structures be inspected for termites as they can render properties unliveable and make repair expensive.

Spiders

Australia is home to the most dangerous species in the world as well as a few thousand others. They can be found both inside a property as well as in the garden outside. Although not all are dangerous, many people have a phobia of spiders and their webs are an unsightly presence. Spiders can be found in and around cracks and crannies, air vents and in the roof of properties.

Snakes

It is not unusual to find snakes on properties in Australia, however, it’s important not to approach or aggravate them if found. They can enter a property through holes or gaps. They can be found outside a property hiding in bushes or piles of rubbish.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are tiny wingless insects which can hide undetected in narrow cracks and crevices. They feed by sucking mainly human blood (as well as your pet), which can result in skin rashes and allergic reactions. Bed Bugs reproduce quickly, so it’s critical to treat the problem immediately to stop infestation.

Ants

Ant control is not always as easy as it seems. Even though ants do not eat a lot of food, it doesn’t take long for ants to infiltrate property. Ants can contaminate large quantities of food products, therefore requiring you to discard them due to health purposes.

Birds

Birds generally cause physical damage on roofs and can also lay their nest in those areas. If not diligent, birds may appear and live inside a building. Their droppings and feathers may contaminate surfaces and ruin furniture. There is also the risk of spreading viruses, bacteria and etc. Bird nesting can also bring about infestations of mites and fleas.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches can cause hygiene and health issues by carrying disease-causing bacteria. Good sanitary and hygiene practices are required to help prevent infestations and issues. Cockroaches may enter from and hide in areas through spaces, pipe, windows and junction boxes to name a few. As cockroaches are primarily nocturnal, they are generally not visible to the human eye and therefore, difficult to detect.

Rats & Mice

Rats and mice can cause hygiene and health issues and generally breed and infest areas they come into contact with.

Rodents can enter through gaps in roofs, walls and under doors.

Rodents can also cause damage to furniture, household content as well as structural damage to properties.

Possums

Possums in the roof are a nuisance, their presence detected by the banging and scratching noises they make, not mentioning the odour of their urine. They can enter a roof via overhanging branches. Possums are a protected species and must be eradicated without harm by trapping them and releasing them back into their natural environment.

Bees & Wasps

Bee and wasp hives may be found around air vents or chimneys and wasps can make their homes under eaves or in wall cavities inside a home or roof. If disturbed, they will attack in large numbers, stinging their victim. Although not causing severe harm, the sting could be life threatening to those who are allergic to bee or wasp stings.