It’s generally the small stuff that lets you know there’s a problem. A line of ants crawling in through the back door after a hot day, or a spider running across the hallway just as you’re trying to herd the children out of the house. In Berwick, the little stuff always seems to arrive at a time when life’s busy enough as it is. One minute you’re sitting around relaxing on a Friday night and the next, you’re up on a chair Googling “how to get rid of millipedes” and wondering why you didn’t take care of this problem weeks ago.
Before you know it, you’re dealing with bigger frustrations, like scratching in the roof at night, wasps congregating around the pergola, or cockroaches after the rain. Before you know it, your house feels like it’s under attack, and getting it sorted is yet another unforeseen stress that makes life feel even busier.
So let’s walk through the important seasonal pest control tips every Berwick household should know: the most common pests to expect, when they’re likely to arrive, and what you can do to prevent them.
Understanding Local Pest Challenges in Melbourne
Pest control in Melbourne is shaped heavily by the city’s mix of urban growth, leafy suburbs, and shifting weather patterns, and Berwick sits right in the middle of all three. One of Melbourne’s most popular and family-friendly suburbs, Berwick offers new housing estates alongside older established streets, large backyards, close proximity to parklands, and easy access to semi-rural hills. It’s a combination that has made Berwick a desirable place to live, but it’s also created the perfect environment for a whole host of pests.
Berwick is home to many nature strips, green belts, wetlands and nature reserves, so although local residents benefit from a quieter, more nature-oriented lifestyle, they also attract ants, spiders, mosquitoes, and wasps in the warmer months.
During cooler months, rodents looking for warmth and shelter will invade roof spaces and garages where they can easily access pet food or soft materials to nest in. Because many Berwick homes also back onto bushland and areas of new development, soil movement and construction can also increase termite activity and activity.
These environmental factors (combined with Melbourne’s fluctuating weather patterns) can lead to unexpected pest problems all year round. Understanding how these influence pest behaviour can help homeowners stay one step ahead and take preventative measures before infestations can take hold.
Common Seasonal Pests in Berwick
There’s a “pest story” in every Berwick household. The ants that take over the kitchen every spring. Spiders that appear after a heatwave. The unmistakable sound of a nocturnal critter shimmying across the roof when winter arrives. These occurrences are no accident.
Pest activity spikes throughout the year, which means certain pests are more likely to invade at certain times. Learning when different pests are most active can make a big difference in how you protect your home.
Below is a breakdown of the most common seasonal visitors and why they tend to show up when they do.
1. Crawling Pests
Crawling pests are some of the most frequent unwelcome visitors we see in Berwick homes. Whether it’s the warmer months or after a heavy rainfall, these types of pests often come inside your home in search of food crumbs, moisture, shaded areas in your garden or somewhere easy to get into.
Ants (Argentine & Coastal Brown)
Argentine ants are extremely invasive and love to set up large colonies inside and outside your home, often in and around the kitchen. Coastal brown ants often make mounds in lawns and gardens and will go inside to search for food. Both of these ants tend to be more active in the spring and summer months, with increased numbers often coming inside after rain.
Spiders (Redback, White-tail, Huntsman)
Redbacks like to make their homes in sheltered areas like garden sheds, outdoor furniture and children’s playground equipment. They can be a real safety issue with their venomous bite. White-tail spiders often roam inside homes during warm summer evenings and can cause a very painful bite.
Huntsman spiders are not harmful to humans, but are frequently found around homes during hot weather as they come inside to find somewhere cooler. Spider numbers often increase during the late spring and summer months.
Earwigs
Earwigs like to hide in garden beds, mulch and other damp, dark areas. Although they are not really harmful to humans, they can often find their way inside the home in large numbers after a rainfall or if the weather gets hot. They are also attracted to lights at night and can be a real nuisance indoors.
Millipedes (Portuguese Millipedes)
Portuguese millipedes are one of the most common millipede species we get called about in Berwick. They often occur in large numbers following a heavy rain or if the weather is humid.
Although not dangerous, they do give off a very unpleasant odour if crushed and like to come indoors to find moisture or somewhere to hide. Portuguese millipedes often increase in number in autumn and spring.
Termites (Subterranean Termites)
Subterranean termites are some of the most destructive pests we deal with in Melbourne’s southeast. Moisture, timber structures and garden mulch are often big attractions for them.
They are most active during the warmer months of the year and are prone to swarm in the spring. It’s important to try to catch an infestation early as they cause hidden damage to the structure of your home.
Fleas
Fleas are often brought into a home from pets, wildlife or neighbouring homes. Warm, humid weather is great for flea populations and as a result, late spring to early autumn is their peak season. Fleas also breed and spread quickly indoors.
2. Flying & Stinging Pests
Flying pests are most commonly seen in Berwick during the summer months, and around gardens, patios and other outdoor eating areas and near water sources. They can be a nuisance and a health risk, depending on the type of flying pest.
European Wasps
Aggressive and with painful stings, European wasps can be more of a problem in late summer and early autumn when their colonies are at their largest and require more food.
Often nesting in roof spaces, eaves or dense shrubs, they are attracted to sugary foods and drinks. Outdoor events, barbecues and picnics are most likely to attract wasps so early identification and nest removal is important to keep them away from stinging humans.
Mosquitoes
Warm and humid weather with lots of still water for breeding are ideal mosquito conditions. Standing water in garden pots, birdbaths, blocked drains and leaking pipes is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. There may be mosquito bite warnings in Berwick in late summer and after periods of heavy rain.
Mosquito bites are irritating and itchy and can in some cases transmit disease, such as Ross River virus or Barmah Forest virus. The best thing to do is remove any standing water and use insect repellent and secure screens on doors and windows.
Flies
Flies are common in summer and early autumn and are attracted to food, rubbish bins, compost heaps and areas around pet food and water bowls. Flies don’t bite like mosquitoes or wasps but can contaminate surfaces and food in the home with bacteria, causing hygiene and health problems. Keeping food covered and rubbish bins covered should minimise the problem.
3. Indoor & Household Disturbance Pests
It’s not uncommon to come across these pests indoors in roof voids, cupboards or other sheltered areas. Property damage, food contamination and stress for residents are all reasons to get these pests under control as soon as possible.
Rodents (Rats & Mice)
Berwick rats and mice are found indoors all year round, especially during cooler months when rats and mice are in search of shelter and warmth. These rodents chew on wiring, insulation, and stored goods, causing property damage and health or safety risks.
Any property near the green belt or in new developments needs to be cautious as rodents may also migrate from surrounding greenery.
Possums
Most possums are nocturnal and can be found in roof spaces, lofts and sheds. Sightings are usually the common brushtail or ringtail variety, however, Berwick and the surrounding areas are home to a threatened species, Leadbeater’s possum. These possums are found in the nearby woodlands and are a protected species.
Like other possums, they can cause roof damage or contaminate areas with droppings. If you find or capture a Leadbeater’s possum, you must release it and any other interaction must follow the Wildlife Act regulations for that species.
Moths (Pantry & Clothes Moths)
Pantry moths contaminate and live in stored food products like grains, cereals and dried fruit, while clothes moths live in wardrobes and storage areas where natural fabrics like silk, wool, fur and feathers are found.
You may be more likely to find them in your home during warmer months and in homes where food or clothes are stored. Quick identification can save a lot of money and lost items.
Cockroaches
These cockroaches can live for a while in warm, dark, and humid indoor areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundry spaces. They are especially active in Berwick during the summer, but can remain an issue all year round if they have an environment to which they can become accustomed.
Besides the stress and annoyance of having cockroaches, they can contaminate surfaces and cause allergies or asthma in sensitive people.
Preventive Measures Homeowners Should Prioritise
One simple but effective step to take is to seal up the home. Doors, windows, rooflines and even vents can often have small gaps, allowing ants, spiders and rodents to enter the property. Additionally, a well-groomed yard can also help with pest management. Bushes and shrubs that have overgrown mulch or leaves can easily become a hiding place for insects and rodents, so pruning, removing debris and keeping the lawn mowed can improve the situation.
Pet owners and homeowners should take care when storing food in the house. Cockroaches, pantry moths and ants are easily attracted by the smell of food in open containers. With ants they will even attempt to enter the home, looking for a source of food. Sealed containers in the pantry, covers on pet food and secure bins can help to avoid such an invasion. This is also important when managing mould in rentals, as pests will leave urine and other residue that can quickly lead to damp patches and fungal contamination.
Moisture should also be managed in the home, especially if there are any leakages or areas with poor ventilation. Ineffective gutters, leaking pipes or a lack of ventilation in bathrooms and laundry rooms can be a breeding ground for pests and moisture, which can lead to mould problems in the home.
When to Call a Professional Pest Control Service
If you’ve tried home treatments and preventative measures but your home still has a serious pest problem, it might be time to call in the pros. If ants, rodents, cockroaches, or other pests are constantly appearing in large numbers, it can be a sign of an infestation that needs a professional’s help. Experts can detect the entry points or source of the infestation and use stronger and more long-lasting solutions to get rid of the pests.
Signs of structural damage can also mean that it’s time to hire professional pest control. Termites, rodents, or possums, for example, can cause significant damage to walls, roofs, insulation, or wooden structures without you even noticing. That’s why it’s important to call in professionals as soon as you notice early signs of an infestation, to prevent the damage from getting more severe and more expensive to fix.
It’s also important to call a professional if there’s a safety concern. Wasps, spiders, and even some rodents can be dangerous to your family’s health if someone is allergic or in a vulnerable state. Professionals have the knowledge, equipment, and techniques to control a hazardous infestation without risking your family’s safety.
Tips for Year-Round Protection in Berwick
Success in preventing Berwick pests comes down to consistency. Through seasonal and regular care and maintenance, routine inspections, and prompt action, you can help ensure your home and yard stay pest-free all year long.
A few small efforts spread across the calendar year can go a long way toward keeping your property and family safe and comfortable.
