Pests To Watch Out For In Winter In Hume

Pests To Watch Out For In Winter

As temperatures drop across the Hume local government area, pest activity doesn't stop. It shifts. Many of the pests that go quiet in your garden during winter are simply looking for somewhere warmer to hide, and that somewhere is often your home.

Whether you're in Craigieburn, Broadmeadows, Sunbury, Greenvale or anywhere across the northern suburbs, here's what to watch for once the cold sets in.

Rodents

Rats and mice are the number one winter pest concern for Hume residents. As paddocks and open land around the outer growth corridors cool down, rodents move inward toward residential areas looking for food and shelter. Roof voids, wall cavities, garages, and subfloors are all common entry points.

Signs to watch for include droppings near food storage areas, scratching sounds in ceilings at night, and gnaw marks on food packaging or timber. Rodents can cause structural damage, contaminate food, and chew through electrical wiring, creating a fire hazard.

New housing estates in areas like Donnybrook, Kalkallo and Wollert are particularly susceptible, as construction disturbs existing rodent populations and pushes them toward neighbouring homes.

Cockroaches

German cockroaches thrive in warm, humid indoor environments and become more difficult to detect in winter because they tend to go deeper into wall cavities and appliance voids to stay warm. American cockroaches also shelter in drainage systems beneath homes and can enter through subfloor gaps as soil temperatures drop.

Older homes in suburbs like Broadmeadows, Coolaroo and Campbellfield, where original kitchens and bathrooms remain largely unchanged, are common hotspots. Any cracks around pipes, worn door seals or gaps around cabinetry give cockroaches easy access.

Spiders

Redback spiders are active year-round in sheltered spots and actually seek out dry, undisturbed areas during winter. Letterboxes, garden sheds, under outdoor furniture and behind stored items in garages are all prime locations. Redback bites are medically significant and particular care should be taken when reaching into undisturbed spaces.

Funnel web and trapdoor spiders also retreat deeper into burrows in winter but remain present in garden soil throughout the Hume area, particularly in properties that back onto open land or creek reserves.

Silverfish

Silverfish love the conditions winter creates inside homes. Central heating, stored paper and cardboard, and low airflow in roof spaces create the perfect environment. They feed on books, wallpaper, clothing, and stored documents. Winter is when many residents first notice silverfish after retrieving items from storage.

Ants

While ant activity slows outdoors in cold weather, colonies often relocate underground or move inside wall cavities to maintain temperature. Kitchens and bathrooms remain vulnerable throughout winter, particularly in homes with older plumbing where moisture gathers around pipe penetrations.

What You Can Do

A few simple steps can reduce your risk heading into the cooler months:

Seal gaps around pipes, vents, and utility entries with appropriate filler or mesh
Store firewood away from the house and elevated off the ground
Keep roof voids and subfloors well ventilated to reduce moisture
Check door and window seals before winter sets in
Remove clutter from garages, sheds and storage areas where pests like to nest
If you're already seeing signs of pest activity, early treatment is always more effective and less costly than waiting until an infestation becomes established.

All Guard Pest Control services the Hume City Council area including Craigieburn, Broadmeadows, Greenvale, Campbellfield, Meadow Heights, Attwood, Westmeadows and surrounding suburbs. For a free