Midge or mosquito?
| Midge | Mosquito | |
|---|---|---|
| Does it bite? | No | Yes |
| Carries disease? | Not a vector, says the City of Joondalup | Some species carry Ross River and Barmah Forest virus |
| Where it starts | Naturally, in lakes and wetlands | Standing water, your yard included |
| What helps at home | Yellow low wattage globes and fine mesh screens | Emptying standing water and wearing repellent |
What's different around the lake
Lake Joondalup and Lake Goollelal
The Cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo monitor midge at both lakes. Adults in large numbers are a nuisance for people living nearby, and cutting nutrient run-off from gardens is the long game. Hatchling turtles in the Yellagonga Regional Park wetlands eat midge and mosquito larvae too, says the City.
Coastal brown ants
The City calls the coastal brown ant a major nuisance in WA and says to identify the species before you try to control it. DPIRD says nests show as lines of connected holes and small soil mounds in lawns and brick paving.
Rats and mice
The City says they're almost always present in suburban areas, because food and shelter are easy to find. It starts with blocking holes, asks people to avoid second generation baits, and limits its starter bait pack to one per household per year.
Snakes in early spring
Dugites and tiger snakes get more active as it warms up. If one comes inside, the City says to stay calm and not try to catch it. A licensed snake catcher handles that, not a pest business.
After a pest inspection rather than a treatment?
Tell us if you're buying or checking your own home, because the report differs. For a home you already own, WA's Building and Energy recommends a termite inspection at least once a year, and the things that give termites away are damaged wood and thin mud tunnels. Don't disturb either.
Before you go ahead, ask to see the licence card. WA Health says its endorsements show which treatments a technician is qualified to do, and termite work needs the Termites and Timber pests endorsement. The state's business register isn't public, so the registration number has to come from the business.
Who to tell about a European wasp
Not a pest business. The City of Joondalup calls them declared pests and sends sightings to the state. Use MyPestGuide Reporter or contact DPIRD, and stay away from the nest. Our Perth wasp page shows how to tell one from a paper wasp.
Our take near the lakes
Swap the porch globes to yellow and close the screens before you spend anything on midge. If it bites, it isn't midge, so go looking for standing water. Ants in the paving or noises overhead? Send us the details and your postcode.
Want someone to look at it?
Tell us what you've seen and your postcode, and a local pest business that handles exactly that calls you to talk it through.
