High risk
Termites
The pest your home insurance almost certainly doesn’t cover.
- Season
- All year · swarms in spring & early summer
- Species
- 3 common in Melbourne
Melbourne Pest Library
How to identify the pests found in Melbourne homes and businesses, the warning signs, the real risks, and how professionals treat them.
High risk
Cockroaches
Fast breeders that spread bacteria across kitchen benches.
- Season
- All year · peaks in warm, humid months
- Species
- 4 common in Melbourne
Medium risk
Ants
Thousands of workers, one colony to eliminate.
- Season
- Spring & summer, especially before rain
- Species
- 5 common in Melbourne
Medium risk
Spiders
Most are harmless — the redback is not.
- Season
- Spring through autumn
- Species
- 5 common in Melbourne
High risk
Rats & Mice
Scratching in the ceiling at night? That’s probably not a possum.
- Season
- All year · peaks late autumn & winter
- Species
- 3 common in Melbourne
High risk
Bed Bugs
Not a sign of a dirty home — just a well-travelled one.
- Season
- All year
- Species
- 2 common in Melbourne
Medium risk
Fleas
For every flea on your pet, there are many more in the carpet.
- Season
- Spring & summer, and after pets move out
- Species
- 2 common in Melbourne
High risk
European Wasps
Aggressive, persistent, and they sting more than once.
- Season
- Late summer & autumn (nests peak Feb–April)
- Species
- 2 common in Melbourne
Medium risk
Bee Swarms & Hives
Important pollinators — handled responsibly.
- Season
- Swarms in spring (Sept–Nov)
- Species
- 1 common in Melbourne
Low risk
Silverfish
Quietly eating your books, photos and wallpaper.
- Season
- All year · worse in humid conditions
- Species
- 2 common in Melbourne
Low risk
Moths
Holes in your wool, webbing in your pantry.
- Season
- Spring & summer
- Species
- 2 common in Melbourne
Medium risk
Flies
A hygiene problem — especially in food businesses.
- Season
- Summer
- Species
- 3 common in Melbourne