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As the old saying goes ‘prevention is better than cure’. The trick to
common-sense pest management is to get on top of pests early before
they get out of hand, so you can avoid the temptation of reaching for a
can of pesticides or having the house ‘sprayed’ in desperation. |
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 Observation shows that cockroaches like to gather together in cracks and crevices, warm dark places, and any areas where there’s water and food scraps. Kitchens are their favourite place along with bathrooms and laundries. Anyone with a dishwasher will know it’s the perfect five star cockroach hotel.
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 Australia is home to some venomous spiders like funnel webs and red
backs, which must be avoided, but many spiders are harmless and play a
beneficial role in the environment.
Our fear of spiders often leads to their demise. They get whacked with
a rolled-up newspaper or magazine, when putting them outside could
easily solve the problem. Identification is the key here. |
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 Pets are much-loved members of the family these days and often spend time indoors, lolling around on the furniture close to their human companions.
Pets, like humans, need good diets, clean water and plenty of exercise as a foundation for good health. For the pet’s sake as well as your own, it’s best to avoid hazardous chemical treatments and to opt for natural pet care whenever possible.
The last thing you want is for your pet to be covered in hazardous chemical pesticides while you’re playing and cuddling up, especially if you have children. Pets do present challenges though with freeloaders like fleas and ticks, which need to be well managed.
Find suppliers of organic pet food at www.greenpagesaustralia.com.au/listings.asp?id=378 |
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Fleas use your pets as a source of food (blood) and to hitch a free ride around the house and garden. Adult fleas lay their eggs on ‘fluffy’, which then hatch into larvae and fall off into the surroundings like carpets, cracks in floorboards, soft furniture and in the garden. |
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Fleas are generally more of a problem over the warmer months of the year, so be sure to start your flea programme early before the really warm weather begins. This is very important if your pet has a flea allergy because even small numbers of fleas causes them a lot of distress. |
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A number of commonly used pesticides in flea treatments are currently
under review by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines
Authority (APVMA). |
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If you manage fleas on your pet, then you should be able to
successfully deal with fleas inside your home without using pesticides.
If you don’t have pets, but have a flea problem perhaps because the
previous occupants had pets, then you should be able to permanently
resolve flea problems without using pesticides. |
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Pets and people are at significant risk from tick bites and, especially from the native Paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus, which can cause paralysis and kill pets. Paralysis can also occur in small children. Pets can also be affected by the introduced cattle and bush ticks, but to a lesser extent. |
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 Flies and mossies are a part of the ‘great Australian outdoors’ but
they have been known to wreck a BBQ and prevent a good night’s sleep.
Luckily they are usually only a problem over the warmer months.
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 Ants are a source of fascination for children who love to watch their
processions to and from colonies. When they’re outside most ants won’t
create too many problems if you stay out of their way and they are a
beneficial part of the environment. They are also great forecasters of
rain, moving their colonies to higher ground if they sense it coming.
Inside they can be annoying and some bite or sting and can do damage if
they nest in walls.
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