Sydney the shocking most pest-infested capital

Spring and summer’s warm weather brings a surge of unwelcomed household pests across Australia with homeowners being warned to safeguard from relentless flies to cockroaches and rodents.

A study from Airtasker revealed the most pest-infested cities across the country, finding Sydney taking crowning positon with eight of the nation’s 10 most pest-infested areas in the city.

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Source: Airtasker

Bug infestation inside a home

The study analysed multiple factors, from the number of pest control tasks posted on Airtasker and Google searches for pest problems, to climate conditions, housing vulnerabilities, urban density and waste levels, revealing where pest issues are most common across the country.

Topping the list was the City and Inner South, Eastern Suburbs and Inner West, due to high population density, limited pest controllers per household and soaring pest activity.

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Ant infestation in a home cupboard

Within the city and Inner South, the Sydney CBD ranked first with the most pest-related Airtasker tasks followed by Marrickville and Surry Hills.

In the eastern suburbs, Bondi Beach was the most pest-infested suburb.

Other significantly affected regions include Ryde, Parramatta and North Sydney and Hornsby.

Australia’s least pest-infested regions were mostly remote and rural with low population and minimal environmental pressures that were said to keep pest issues at bay.

Source: Airtasker

Licensed pet technician on Airtasker Ibby El-Jamal offered his top tips for pests control, noting prevention was key.

“The easiest way to deal with pests is to discourage them from getting in,” he said.

“Keep your home tidy, seal food properly in containers, wipe down benches regularly and empty bins often.

“Block off entry points by sealing cracks, adding door sweeps to wide gaps and even using mesh over weep holes.

“Simple steps like closing windows when you leave can also help keep out spiders and flying pests.”

Bug infestation in a cupboard

The second tip is to control moisture and standing water, as Mr El-Jamal said stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, black flies and even some cockroach species.

“Empty buckets, unclog gutters, refresh bird baths, and rake up damp leaves in your garden to prevent moisture build-up,” he said.

“Keeping humidity down inside your home also helps make it less attractive to pests.”

Cockroaches ranked as the most common pest in Sydney.

Mr El-Jamal said when preventing cockroach infestations, keep your kitchen clean, store food securely and wipe down floors regularly.

Licensed pet technician on Airtasker Ibby El-Jamal.

“German cockroaches reproduce at a rapid rate – with each egg capsule producing up to 40 or even 50 young – making them one of the most common pests in the country,” Mr El-Jamal said.

“If you find a few cockroaches in your home, you can consider baits or sticky traps. However, if cockroaches persist for more than a few days, it’s a sign you should call in a pest professional.”

Source: Airtasker

To keep rodents at bay, Mr El-Jamal recommended keeping rubbish sealed in bags and bins outside and covering all food in the kitchen.

“Rodents are quick to nest, reproduce in groups and can carry diseases like leptospirosis and rat-bite fever,” he said.

The final key to keeping your house pest-protected was to act early, especially in summer, he said.

“Infestations tend to spike in the warmer months as heat speeds up pest breeding cycles,” Mr El-Jamal said.

“The more food and water available, pests spread faster especially in densely populated cities like Sydney,

“Prevention and quick action are key – deal with pests at the first sign before they multiply.”

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