As La Niña conditions persist in Australia, there has been an increase in the number of calls to pest control companies in Sydney.
The most common pests that have been reported are cockroaches, rats, and mice. While these pests are a nuisance, they can also pose a serious health risk.
Cockroaches are known to spread disease, while rats and mice can contaminate food and spread disease.
Pest control companies are urging homeowners to take action to control the pests before they become a serious problem.
The wet weather is ideal for breeding pests, and with more people spending time indoors, there are more opportunities for them to find their way into homes.
In the 12 months to October, there was a massive uptick in demand for pest control across the country, according to data from tradie platform hipages.
The number of jobs posted for pest inspections increased 178 percent from the previous year, while the number of jobs posted for pest control jumped 149 percent.
The most sought-after services were the removal of wasps (581 percent), rodents (369 percent), and ants (275 percent).
Pest control companies are seeing an increase in business as a result of the demand for their services.
The demand for pest control products and services typically increases during La Niña conditions.
Pest control companies have been inundated with calls from desperate customers seeking relief from the infestation.
Some companies have reported a doubling in callouts compared to the same time last year.
The problem has been exacerbated by the fact that many pest control operators have been forced to close their businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A number of different pests have been thriving due to the wet weather over the past two years,” said Hipages CCO Stuart Tucker.
“La Niña is the major cause for pests infecting the houses. The combination of humidity and moisture is perfect for breeding pests like cockroaches, termites, ants, and mozzies,” Mr. Tucker added.
Termites are also a major problem in Australia, with an estimated $1 billion worth of damage done to homes each year. They are particularly active during the wetter conditions associated with La Niña, and this has led to a significant increase in calls to pest control companies.
Many homeowners are now taking proactive measures to protect their homes from termite damage, with some even going so far as to have their homes treated with preventative chemicals.
Julian Bracewell, director of Pest2Kill, said that termites are currently a problem in Sydney due to the damp conditions.
“Termites thrive in warm, humid conditions and La Niña is predicted to bring about just such weather conditions across much of Australia in the coming months”, he said.
“While termites are not typically dangerous to humans, they can cause extensive damage to buildings and other structures.”
“Many homes in Sydney have subfloors, which can be damp due to soil moisture. This is appealing to termites.”
Households in Sydney are also being besieged by cockroaches and rats.
Cockroaches are particularly troublesome, as they are able to rapidly reproduce and can be difficult to eradicate. They are also known to carry diseases, which can pose serious health risks to humans.
Rats are also a major problem, as they can cause significant damage to property and spread diseases.
A massive uptick in the number of storm-related jobs was also brought by La Niña.
The data from hipages showed that tree felling had increased by 204%, while ventilation and damp proofing had also surged by 300% and 285% respectively, due to La Niña.
With the La Niña conditions forecast to continue for the foreseeable future, the demand for pest control services is likely to remain high.
