Family BLABERIDAE

Most people are repulsed by cockroaches inside the home, and not without due cause, as they are disease carriers of the highest order.

Outside the home, gardeners also often come across cockroaches under rocks, logs and in mulch. Unfortunately these roaches are undeservedly tarred with the same brush as their indoors cousins and usually end up under a well placed boot.

Australia has in excess of 400 native roaches and very few could ever be considered pests. Most pest species are imported, the Australian Cockroach and couple of others being the exception.

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Control of true feral cats should not be the emotive subject that it has become.

The feral cat is found in most habitats across Australia, including the snow fall and desert regions. It is responsible for the extinction of some species on islands and is believed to have contributed to the disappearance of many ground-dwelling birds and mammals on the mainland.

It is estimated that there could be at least 400,000 true feral cats in New South Wales and 12 million Australia wide. (NSWNPWS)

Feral cats should not be confused with nuisance cats. Feral cat control is not easy, as the cats are very wary of humans. Trapping is probably the most successful method, although trap shyness is reasonably common. Although other methods of control are used, trapping is the only method we recommend or condone on this site.

Do It Yourself Pest Control - Herbal Sprays

For non-feral cats causing a nuisance on your property, pet stores and vets have a range of cat deterrent sprays. There has been some success with herbal sprays made from chilli, garlic and water or the direct application of pepper to frequented areas.

The downside is that all sprays must be reapplied on a regular basis or after the area has had contact with water.

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Order Dermaptera

There are about 1800 different recorded species of Earwig throughout the world, and over 60 species in Australia.

They have short leathery wings, although weak flyers and the abdomen extends well past the wings, usually (but not always) ending with pincer type cerci.

Most are dark brown in colour and around 12 –14mm in length

There is no evidence that they harmful to humans or animals despite also being known as “pincer bugs�

Earwigs prefer to live in moist cool situations, although they are somewhat adventurous and will wander.

Not really considered pest, and in some circles are thought of as beneficial as they feed on other insect, however they are known to eat and damage the soft tissue of developing plants, as well as ripe fruit and garbage.

Do It Yourself Pest Control - Earwigs

1. Loosely rolled up newspaper located in the area they frequent will attract them into the loose folds. Manner of disposal is up to the catcher, although into a bucket of soapy water seems popular.
2. Earwigs are attracted to fish oil and vegetable oil. A small foil pie-dish half filled with oil sunk into the soil up to the rim will trap them successfully.
3. Similar to above using soapy water has also been used with some success.
4. Elimination of rotting vegetation will also remove their favoured habitat

You know the old expression “sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite”? Well, it really is an old expression, because the cimex lectularius, or the common bedbug, has existed for thousands of years.

They are rather tiny insects belonging to a species that is typified by its need to have blood meals to survive. Their victims are primarily human, but at a pinch, animal blood will do.

Adults bedbugs can measure as much as 5mm (about the size of an apple seed and much the same colouring), and are easily visible to the naked eye if you are up to catching them. Because the bedbug gets its name honestly, seeking out victims in the dark of night, their victims are usually in bed.

They are not spawned, nor attracted by dirty environments however. This is a very common misconception. What really draws them is a source of warmth and exhaled carbon dioxide. The cleanliness of a room, bed or entire home, really has nothing to do with their presence. The bedbug will crawl into the bed, feed off its host, and return to their dark lairs for the daylight hours, although under especially appealing circumstances, they will emerge in daytime. A well-fed bedbug can survive up to a year and a half without eating again, but their instincts usually lead them to seek a meal, every 6-12 days.

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