Advertisement

In Australia’s wet weather ‘tis the season for spiders, mozzies, mice and mould

<span>Photograph: Ian Waldie/Getty Images</span>
Photograph: Ian Waldie/Getty Images

La Niña brings more than just rain to eastern states, as some unwanted visitors begin venturing into people’s homes


A surge in mosquitoes, spiders, termites, rodents – and mould – has hit eastern Australia, in what appears to be a fitting end to 2021.

The wet weather caused by the latest La Niña event has helped flush out creatures that may typically burrow or live underground into the open and inside people’s homes.

“La Niña is hot and wet? Or hot and mouldy? Or hot and spider-webby? Or hot and weedy?” Sophie Lewis, from Canberra, tweeted.

Related: La Nina 2021 weather event declared for Australia’s summer

Cartoonist Cathy Wilcox also voiced some questions: “Is this a particularly spidery summer? It seems like it here on the coast. Big engineered webs full of cicadas. More spidery than mosquito-y. Also very tick-y. Plus one leech.”

Sam Yehia, owner of Sydney Best Pest Control, said the start of La Niña had definitely brought out more pests.

“One of the things we’ve picked up on, coming into the season, is there are a lot more spiders and a lot more rodent activity around,” he said.

“Previously you had set seasons for pests but we’ve noticed a pattern over the last couple of years due to weather changes, that pests that are an issue in winter, such as rats and mice, are continuing into the summer months.

“We are seeing a lot more activity around this year. There are always spiders, rats and mice but when you have these changes in weather patterns, periods of rain and heat, it does affect the life cycle of insects, and their movements.”

The warm wet weather was likely to encourage mosquitoes to breed more, he said, and the number of termites would probably increase.

“We’ve also seen an increase in termites’ flights, we’ve noticed after warmer days, after thunderstorms you tend to get a lot more flights than what we’ve seen in other years,” he said.

But some are on the move and coming inside because they are looking for safety.

“In regards to flooding, anything that burrows into the ground – rats, mice, spiders – they all move to higher ground so a lot of people can see a lot more activity,” Yehia said.

Sales manager Sally White from Wet and Forget, a national company that sells products to kill mould, said it was experiencing a 20% increase in calls this season already.

“It’s a huge increase and definitely more than last year. We operate Australia-wide and right now it’s the whole east coast,” she said.

She said they were getting more calls to fix mould inside wardrobes, and outside on pavers and around pools. She expected it to be a busy summer.

Spider Queensland
Australians are asking ‘is this a particularly spidery summer?’ Photograph: Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images

“Especially inland, where there have been floods – they’ll be a lot of mould problems following that, when the water recedes,” she said.

Agriculture Victoria plant pest manager Chris Pittock said La Niña created a more “productive ecosystem”.

“There’s more plant growth, better conditions for insects that rely on plants for food or shelter,” Pittock said.

“You end up with insects that might be seen as pests but also predatory insects like wasps and ladybirds.”

He said they were already seeing an increase in snails, European wasps, aphids, leaf miners, caterpillars and moths across parts of Victoria.

Related: Buzz off! Effective ways to deter bites during Australia’s monster mosquito season

“It doesn’t take long for predatory insects to catch up, and birds get into the play.

“It’s an uptick in the whole ecosystem, but if you’re a farmer it can be frustrating to wait for nature to catch up.”

With the wet weather, one thing is certain – an increase in mosquitoes. More than a nuisance, the little flies can carry serious diseases such as Ross River fever.

But Dr Cameron Webb from the University of Sydney said while the weather will bring more mosquitoes, that doesn’t mean more diseases.

“While we can predict an increase in mosquitoes, it’s tricky to predict outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases. It depends on the local wildlife because they pick up the virus from birds and native marsupials.”

So what to do about it?

Whether it’s eight-legged friends or growing mould spores, here’s what the experts advise.

Spiders

Associate Prof Tanya Latty, from the University of Sydney, said: “Usually, if you’re seeing an increase it’s because something has changed outside and they are coming in temporarily. Animals come into our homes because [we] are offering something [they] want.

“I would never recommend anyone use insecticide. Reduce clutter, seal the house – make sure doors go all the way down, don’t leave windows open without screens.

“A lot of spiders are helpful … The vast majority are not going to cause a problem.

“For funnel webs and redback spiders, you can always call a professional.”

Mould

“Everyone has a different idea on how you get rid of [mould], but the most important thing really is airflow and keeping the surfaces as dry as possible, especially inside,” White said.

“Moving stuff away from the walls, to get that airflow, and to try to dry everything out.”

Mosquitoes

Webb said: “​​In your own backyard, tip out water retainers, whether it’s pot plant saucers or neglected kids’ toys. Make sure your roof gutters and drains are clean. Wash your bird bath out weekly, so any mosquitoes which have laid eggs can’t complete the cycle.

“Put on flyscreens, and a tropical insect repellent, any one you can get from the pharmacy or supermarket.”