What's different in Maroochydore
Low ground by the river
Most of Maroochydore sits on a coastal lowland plain that meets the Maroochy River and the beach. The planning scheme says a significant part is low lying and potentially at risk from river flooding and storm surge, so drainage and damp around the house matter.
Midges near the water
Sunshine Coast Council says biting midges are most active between September and April, particularly near mangroves and intertidal zones, including canals, rivers and estuaries. The Maroochy estuary has mangroves, saltmarsh and intertidal flats, and Sunshine Cove is built around a man made waterway linked to Cornmeal Creek.
High rise to low set
Housing runs from medium and high intensity tourist accommodation along the beachfront to low density homes at Maroochy Waters and Kuluin. Those two ends have very different pest questions.
Not much bush left
Most of the area has been cleared for coastal development, apart from small remnants in parks and reserves. That tends to put building pests, such as cockroaches, ants and rodents, ahead of bush ones.
In a unit or rental, who deals with it?
If you rent in Queensland, the owner or property manager has to make sure there are no pests when you move in and during the tenancy, unless you caused them. Tell them as soon as possible about any vermin that turns up. They also can't insist on a particular pest service or product, or charge you a set pest control fee.
If you own a unit, start with your body corporate or building manager. Cockroaches and ants move along plumbing and shared walls, so cockroach control in one unit may not be enough on its own.
Holiday stays bring suitcases, and suitcases carry bed bugs. If a guest mentions bites, check the mattress seams and read our bed bug page before the next booking.
Making midge season easier
- Run ceiling or pedestal fans, because midge activity greatly reduces once wind is over 6 to 8 km per hour.
- Keep lawns closely mown and plants sparse right around the house.
- Skip watering the garden at dawn and dusk, when midges are at their busiest.
- Shut up the house at those times too, since midges can get through ordinary flyscreens.
Termites on low ground
Slab homes and units on the Sunshine Coast still belong on the list. CSIRO says termites can damage flooring, architraves and even the paper backing on plasterboard where the main structure is protected. The QBCC's rule of thumb is one termite inspection a year, sooner where termites are more active.
Buying a house or unit? The building half and the termite half of a building and pest inspection take different licences, so check your inspector holds both, or book two people. Our pre purchase page explains what to ask, and if an inspection finds something, read about termite treatment on the Sunshine Coast.
Fire ants are different again. Suspect ants or nests anywhere in Queensland get reported to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours, by law, and that's not a job we can take.
What we'd do in a Maroochydore unit
In a rental, tell the manager in writing first. If you own, talk to the body corporate before paying for a treatment on your own, because a shared problem needs a shared answer. In a house near water, keep the yearly termite inspection going and treat midges as weather you can plan around.
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.
