Homeowners, beware: Act fast if you see this on your floors!
- Replies 5
Australian homes are facing a growing menace that's leaving some residents feeling helpless.
A surge in pest activity is causing alarm, and it’s not limited only to well-known critters like cockroaches and mice.
A 50-year-old woman from Bondi in Sydney discovered this problem in the property she was renting.
She started noticing little mounds of dirt appearing mysteriously—a problem that, upon closer inspection, turned out to be an infestation of ants.
‘I would [vacuum] them up and clean and mop the floor,’ she shared. ‘But they kept appearing behind the door.’
The situation seemed to worsen due to her bathroom renovation.
She further explained, ‘I have just had the shower refitted and obviously this has disturbed whatever they are, as they are appearing in another place but much more, and bigger mounds are left for me to [vacuum].’
‘Where I thought it was just dust there, I can now see it’s small insects.’
The woman was hesitant to confront her real estate agent about the problem for fear of potential repercussions.
‘If I complain about this pest problem, the rent goes up,’ she said. ‘The worry is to complain too much, and you will be homeless.’
Ants, often seen as benign backyard insects, can become a real issue for homeowners, especially following the unpredictable Australian weather.
Garth Martin, a specialist from Atrapp Pest Control North Bondi, points to the recent erratic climate as a catalyst for the rampant ant activity. He seemed unsurprised that the ants have been surfacing.
‘Like the last three summers, it was raining the whole time,’ he recalled. ‘It’s summer; it's raining and sunny, raining and sunny, raining and sunny. Well, pest activity is gaining strength.’
‘That's what they do, and the ants are going crazy. And not just in Bondi but everywhere. Rosehill, Balmain, Maroubra.’
The conditions have been perfect for pests to gain strength and become more active, leading to severe' levels of infestations across multiple communities.
‘Ants are going crazy at the moment, all over the place, and talking to other pest controllers they’ve been seeing the same thing.’
According to Martin, the ants that disturbed the Bondi resident probably dug their nests underground and left behind the visible dirt mounds as a sign of their intrusive presence.
He suggested a practical measure that doesn’t require professional intervention for those finding themselves in a similar bind.
‘You can dust a bit of Permethrin dust in there, or gels work really well. But it depends on the situation. You have to go there and have a look. But if you can find the nest and dust it, you've got half a chance of getting rid of them.’
While the concern about rent increases is valid, living in a pest-free comfortable environment is also a right.
Remember, prevention is better than cure.
After all, a vigilant homeowner who takes proactive steps against pests can save themselves headaches and expenses down the road.
Have you struggled with pest invasions in your home? What measures have you found effective in keeping these unwelcome guests at bay? Share some useful tips below.
A surge in pest activity is causing alarm, and it’s not limited only to well-known critters like cockroaches and mice.
A 50-year-old woman from Bondi in Sydney discovered this problem in the property she was renting.
She started noticing little mounds of dirt appearing mysteriously—a problem that, upon closer inspection, turned out to be an infestation of ants.
‘I would [vacuum] them up and clean and mop the floor,’ she shared. ‘But they kept appearing behind the door.’
The photo showed mounds of dirt on the Bondi resident’s bathroom floor. Image Credit: Facebook
The situation seemed to worsen due to her bathroom renovation.
She further explained, ‘I have just had the shower refitted and obviously this has disturbed whatever they are, as they are appearing in another place but much more, and bigger mounds are left for me to [vacuum].’
‘Where I thought it was just dust there, I can now see it’s small insects.’
The woman was hesitant to confront her real estate agent about the problem for fear of potential repercussions.
‘If I complain about this pest problem, the rent goes up,’ she said. ‘The worry is to complain too much, and you will be homeless.’
Ants, often seen as benign backyard insects, can become a real issue for homeowners, especially following the unpredictable Australian weather.
Garth Martin, a specialist from Atrapp Pest Control North Bondi, points to the recent erratic climate as a catalyst for the rampant ant activity. He seemed unsurprised that the ants have been surfacing.
‘Like the last three summers, it was raining the whole time,’ he recalled. ‘It’s summer; it's raining and sunny, raining and sunny, raining and sunny. Well, pest activity is gaining strength.’
‘That's what they do, and the ants are going crazy. And not just in Bondi but everywhere. Rosehill, Balmain, Maroubra.’
The conditions have been perfect for pests to gain strength and become more active, leading to severe' levels of infestations across multiple communities.
‘Ants are going crazy at the moment, all over the place, and talking to other pest controllers they’ve been seeing the same thing.’
According to Martin, the ants that disturbed the Bondi resident probably dug their nests underground and left behind the visible dirt mounds as a sign of their intrusive presence.
He suggested a practical measure that doesn’t require professional intervention for those finding themselves in a similar bind.
‘You can dust a bit of Permethrin dust in there, or gels work really well. But it depends on the situation. You have to go there and have a look. But if you can find the nest and dust it, you've got half a chance of getting rid of them.’
While the concern about rent increases is valid, living in a pest-free comfortable environment is also a right.
Remember, prevention is better than cure.
After all, a vigilant homeowner who takes proactive steps against pests can save themselves headaches and expenses down the road.
Have you struggled with pest invasions in your home? What measures have you found effective in keeping these unwelcome guests at bay? Share some useful tips below.
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