Guide to Pest Control in New Zealand

As Kiwi’s we love the outdoors and any chance that we get we want to get outside. However we aren’t as big fans when it comes to the outside coming inside! Pests are a problem all year round and throughout New Zealand, even though some do have more of a seasonal presence they still tend to do what they want, when they want. We here at JAE are a little all too familiar with the aftermath of what these pests can do to your home and so we have created a guide to help you with some of the worst offenders, whether you’re in need of information to stop the problem before it starts, you’re after tips on general control or in need of help with full on eradication, we’ve got you covered. Check the categories below and click on your problem pest to find out more information on why they might be entering your home, what their food sources are, how long a standard lifecycle is and, most importantly the extermination methods.

Close up Daddy Long Legs Spider sitting in its web

How to Get Rid of Spiders?

New Zealand is home to 2,500 different species of spiders, a little overwhelming right? Thankfully the majority are not actually capable of biting humans and most will cause nothing more than a skin irritation, however there are a couple that are considered poisonous and these are the ones that we need to be wary of. Nevertheless a spider is a spider and it can still be a slightly frightful pest when found in and around the home. In this section we will cover which ones are poisonous, what action to take after receiving a spider bite and we’ll even let you in on some old wives' tales to help better understand the arachnids commonly found around New Zealand.

Brown mouse sitting on grass outside

How to Get Rid of Rats and Mice?

These furry little critters should not be taken lightly, one or two in your home can quickly turn into a full on infestation. They are smart, crafty and unfortunately hot to trot all year round, meaning they will procreate at a rapid pace turning your small problem into a very big one. Although they are more likely to be a problem during the colder months, they are still more than happy to set up shop during the Summer as well. Here we will show you what to watch out for, how to prevent them getting in, control their numbers and generally remove them from your property.

How to Get Rid of Flies

How to Get Rid of Flies?

There are around 600 different endemic fly species found in New Zealand, and we can’t talk about all of them, so in this section we’ll focus on the main three culprits that cause the most annoyance to us Kiwis. The good news is that none of these pose any health risks, instead more of a health nuisance. Thankfully there are many helpful D.I.Y. tricks and low cost options to prevent the insurgence of flies entering your home.

Close up of multiple cockroaches on top of each other

How to Get Rid of Cockroaches?

When it comes to household pests, these little scutter bugs are an extremely common sighting in homes all around New Zealand. There are three different species of cockroach that are found around our country. The good news is that they do not pose many serious health risks although they can transmit disease. However, that still doesn’t stop us from getting full body chills whenever we spot one scurrying across your floor. Check inside to find out more information about each type as well as how to prevent an infestation.

Close up of adult Bed Bug

‍How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?

For such a small pest they are a much larger problem than you would initially expect throughout all of New Zealand, once these creepy insects get in they can be really difficult to get out. To make it worse, they don’t even have the decency to fight fair, normally waiting for the unsuspecting victim to fall asleep before crawling out to get their feed. If you think you have bed bugs you would definitely know fairly quickly as they leave quite a recognisable mark on the skin. They might be tricky but we have some tips and tricks of our own to help get rid of the creepy crawlies.

Close up of ant on ground

How to Get Rid of Ants?

These really tiny pests are so small that some of the preventative measures we have mentioned in our other pages might not work. Ants operate in large colonies, where each individual has a set task that they carry out, although they often work as teams. For many this involves foraging for food & moisture which, when they catch the scent of food left out or not stored properly they will be attracted to - leading them indoors. The foraging teams are a sign of a much larger colony nearby so you will definitely be needing help taking preventative measures.