Cockroaches

Cockroaches are a persistent problem all year long. But they're worse during the summer months. During this time, these pesky creatures seek out a secure location to survive the extreme heat. Cockroaches reproduce quickly, which makes them a serious threat even if only a few have entered the home. They may be discovered in pipe openings, sinks, refrigerators, cabinets, wall cracks, bins, cardboard boxes, and other places.  Although they don't have any health issues of their own, cockroaches can transfer and spread germs and infections, which make them an important health risk. Foods contaminated by cockroaches can be cross-contaminated, causing illness.

Cockroaches are a serious problem to people prone to allergies, because they can cause rashes, sore eyes, and sneezing. Furthermore, a cockroach infestation can cause asthma to develop in people who are not born asthmatic.

Spiders

This eight-legged arachnid comes in various sizes and colors. For the most part, aside from scaring people because of their icky appearance, common spiders are harmless to humans and they also do not cause damage to structures. The biggest issue is the webs they spin to attract smaller insects are a particular nuisance to homeowners. Spiders are natural predators and use their venom to subdue their prey but their effect on humans can vary from inconsequential, irritating to serious.

Common spiders that we encounter on the Central Coast in the warmer summer months include:

• Funnel Web Spiders – The Funnel Web Spider loves warm, moist/humid climates. Making a Central Coast summer the ideal weather for the male to be wandering to find a mate. Funnel web spiders are dangerous, but are certainly not looking to bite anyone.
• Red Back Spider – the red back is another very common spider on the Central Coast. They love dark and warm sheltered areas to mate and attract prey.
• White Tail Spider – The white tail spider is native to to southern and eastern Australia and certainly call the Central Coast home. Found in a lot of homes on the Coast, there are many myths about the potency of their bite, but a lot of this is more fear than fact.
• Black House Spider – the Black house spider is extremely common in homes on the Central Coast. These spiders are quite timid and bites from them are infrequent.

Ants

Ants are tiny pests that are virtually harmless to human health. They forage and store food for their growing colony during the winter and rainy seasons. Ants can be a problem to home and building owners, however. They may enter buildings and houses and cause structural damage. Ants scavenge for food crumbs and garbage and are particularly attracted to sweet, greasy, protein-rich meals. Ants can enter homes through the tiniest cracks in the walls and floors and can therefore be a health or structural hazard. Some ants, like the carpenter ants, eat through wood, causing a health risk. The pharaoh ant can also cause an allergic reaction with its painful stings.

Mosquitos

A mosquito's buzzing and red itchy bumps are one of the worst nuisances we can have. Mosquitoes are ubiquitous in the summer, when it is hot and humid. They are responsible for spreading West Nile Virus, Malaria, Yellow Fever, encephalitis, and dengue fever, among other lethal illnesses. People have lost their lives due to a mosquito bite due to its deadly nature. Mosquitos are most fertile at dusk and night, when it is still dark. They breed in standing water, such as pools, ponds, swamps, and barrels, old tires, and flowerpots. Even a minor mosquito bite can be dangerous.

Ticks

Ticks are common during summer months when people spend more time outdoors and are therefore more likely to pick them up. Ticks can cause itchy circular red bumps from their bites. Even if ticks aren't physically biting you, they may still cause danger due to the fact that they may harbour and spread illness. Ticks can live in animal fur like cats and dogs as well as in grasses, weeds, woodpiles, and debris. Lyme disease can be transmitted to both humans and animals by ticks. It causes fever, headache, fatigue, and skin rash as well as problems with the joints, heart, and brain.

Paralysis Ticks on the Central Coast are a major threat to our animals, and if not found in time they can cause death. Keeping your property sprayed and clean of garden rubbish and keeping your animals tick prevention up will help to avoid unwanted issues.