In February last year it was reported in the Daily Telegraph that the centre of Sydney was having a plague of rats. According to the article a local food court shop owner was using glue on their kitchen floor with bleach to control the rats that invaded when the store food court was closed. One local Central plaza manager suggested Sydney needed a Kill Rats Day as the rats that invaded the popular dining hall between Pitt and George streets were the size of cats.

The Australian cockroach is an occasional household invader although normally is found in the garden. This one made it into a bathroom in Mosman. They are similar in size and colour to the American cockroach, however the yellow markings down the side of its thorax to the base of its wings identify it as Periplaneta Australasiae. Like most cockroaches, Periplaneta Australasiae is a scavenger however it appears to enjoy eating plants more so than its relatives. Periplaneta Australasiae are known to be highly mobile, possessing a set of wings that make them fairly capable fliers. It takes about a year for them to grow from an egg to an adult and they would rather be outdoors but they are relatively intolerant to the cold so may seek shelter inside to stay warm.

Periplaneta Australasiae, identified by its brown colour, yellow margin on the thorax, and yellow streaks at its sides near the wing base.

For more information on how to rid your home of cockroaches  Click Here

One of the termites that attack Sydney homes is the species called Nasutitermes Walkeri – see the image of an arboreal nest taken in Mosman Sydney recently.

Sydney Termite Nasutitermes Walkeri's arboreal nest photographed in Mosman.

The colony constructs its nest in trees, usually on the main trunk or in a fork between large branches. Unlike termite species that build ground mounds, the outside casing of the tree dwelling termites nest is soft and easily broken or penetrated. Internal and external tunnels or “shelter tubes” to another section of the colony, which resides underground in the root crown or other subterranean parts of the tree, connect the arboreal nest.

The termite nests need to be maintained at a high humidity, as the termite workers have very thin skin and can dehydrate very rapidly. The nest is usually maintained at a temperature of 25°C – 30°C, this can vary however depending on the outside temperature, the species of termite and the health of the colony.

This species of termite has even been known to construct external shelter tubes spanning the width of a road, in order to gather food or transport the colony to the other side.

Find out more about how to deal with termites in your home here

Spiders can be hard to get rid of especially if you live near bushland or have a dense garden. The Black House Spider (Badumna insignis) whilst having a painful bite is one pest that will build around eaves, doors and windows inhabiting cracks and crevices around Sydney homes. Find out more about the different spiders that you might find around your Sydney home.

Unsightly webs build up over summer	The black house spider can cause a nasty bite

Another pest spider that builds webs on the ceilings of rooms or in your cellar is the Daddy-Long-Legs Spider (Pholcus phalangioides). These spiders prey on mosquitoes and other flying or crawling insects and if times are tough will even eat each other.

These spiders inhabit ceilings and cellars.	The female Daddy long legs spider holds 20 to 30 eggs in her jaws.

How to get rid of spiders.
A vacuum cleaner is your best method. Brushing down webs often leads to the spider hiding until you have gone and rebuilding his web.

You can find out more about tips to deal with spiders at home here or contact ANT-EATER Pest Control Sydney 1800 667 378 for more information.