Pest Gallery - Common Domestic & Commercial Pests

If you've seen a pest in your home or business, use this section to identify the creature and understand the risks posed to your home, business and family.

Ants

Ants generally become a problem in houses and other buildings when their nests have become disturbed after rain, or conversely, during dry weather to look for water. Poor household hygiene and pet eating bowls also draw them indoors. Outside conditions such as sandy areas, pavers and garden pots also are favourable conditions for ants.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are easily transported in luggage ‘ie’ from hotels to residences. They are often found in bedrooms where they feed on their host, like many pest’ their presence do not indicate unhygienic or insanitary conditions however bed bugs can pose a threat to health, they multiply quickly and can migrate to other areas so they need to be controlled quickly and efficiently. They have a flattened appearance before a blood feed and are about five millimetres long with the look of a rather wide flea, reddish brown in colour. Bed bugs can be difficult to spot as they often hide in concealed areas and come out only during the night.

They hide under the buttons and in the creases of old mattresses, behind wallpaper, skirting boards and cracks in the floor. They are wingless so they can’t fly or jump like the flea. They are active during the night and have been known to drop from ceilings onto beds.

They can survive without a blood feed for up to a year. Bites can cause welts to appear on the skin with three rows of puncture marks being characteristic. Itchiness and irritation cause allergies.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches can reside indoors and outdoors. They can contaminate food and transmit disease carrying organisms, including staphylococci, strep and salmonella to name a few. Cockroaches leave chemical trails in their faeces as well as emit airborne pheromones for swarming and mating. Other cockroaches will follow these trails to discover sources of food and water, and also discover where other cockroaches are hiding.

Cockroaches can be a health threat especially in food preparation areas and infestations may be unsightly. However due to New Zealand’ climate this pest is not uncommon even in sanitary and well kempt areas. Professional measures will make sure they are kept under control.

Carpet Beetles

There are two different species of Carpet Beetle which are fabric pests, the Variegated Carpet Beetle and the Black Carpet Beetle. It is only the larva of these species that feeds on your carpets fibres.

The adults feed on pollen from flowers. Bringing fresh flowers into a building that contains the adult beetles is often the origin of the infestation.

If you suspect you may have carpet beetle, our licensed operators can inspect your premises and provide approved solutions for total eradication. Pest Control Auckland can also provide services for carpet repair or advice as a result of this beetle’ activities.

Rodents (rats and mice)

Man creates the ideal environment for rats and mice by providing a constant source of food, water and shelter.

Rats and mice carry potentially fatal diseases and contaminate human food. Rats can carry rabies or other infectious bacteria. At one time, rats carried fleas that caused the bubonic plague. Rodents damage structures by chewing electrical wires creating the potential for a structure fire or expensive repairs. Rodents may also cause water damage from chewing roof shingles, water pipes and fascia board. To prevent rodent habitation, keep the outside greenery well maintained and avoid foliage and shrubbery around the building perimeter which give these critters places to hide.

Contact Us to give further advice and set up a maintenance program which will control and prevent future visits.

Let Pest Control Auckland create a pest control program that fits your home and families needs for pest protection.