Roaches to rodents: Australia’s most pest-infested cities revealed
As the days grow warmer heading into spring and summer, pest activity also increases. In fact, demand for pest controllers on Airtasker typically peaks in December and January, with summer months seeing 122% more pest control tasks posted on Airtasker. But not every part of Australia faces the same level of risk. Some areas are more prone to infestations than others – and Airtasker has revealed which ones could be crowned the country’s most pest-infested.
The analysis looked at multiple factors, from the number of pest control tasks posted on Airtasker and Google searches for pest problems, to climate conditions, housing vulnerabilities, urban density and waste levels, to work out where pest issues are most common across the country.
The most pest-infested regions in Australia
Sydney has officially claimed the title of Australia’s pest hotspot, with eight of the top 10 most pest-infested areas located within the city. Leading the list is the City and Inner South, scoring 61.04 out of 100, followed by the Eastern Suburbs at 56.16 and the Inner West at 51.21.
These areas ranked highly due to a combination of factors: dense population, limited availability of pest controllers per household, and strong indicators of pest activity. For example, Sydney recorded high search volumes for common pests, 7,386 searches per 100,000 people, and a significantly elevated number of pest-related tasks. In fact, Greater Sydney has a 96.9% higher number of pest control tasks per capita than the national average.
Brisbane’s Inner City took fourth place nationally with a score of 48.33, while Melbourne’s inner suburbs came in sixth at 44.18. Brisbane scored particularly high on environmental risk factors such as weather, whereas Melbourne’s ranking was driven more by structural vulnerabilities, organic waste generation and limited pest control resources per capita.
Overall, the findings suggest that urban living comes with a greater risk of pest problems, with only a few regional areas appearing in the top 20.
The least pest-infested regions in Australia
At the other end of the spectrum, the least pest-infested regions in Australia are predominantly remote and rural, where lower population density and reduced environmental pressures contribute to fewer domestic pest issues.
Topping the list is Western Australia’s South Outback, with a score of just 12.32 out of 100. It’s followed by the Wheat Belt at 15.43 and the North Outback at 16.10. Other low-ranking regions include Victoria’s North West (17.63), New South Wales’ Far West and Orana (18.25), and the Murray region (18.80).
These areas experience less urban development, fewer signs of pest activity, and comparatively mild environmental risk factors, which all contribute to their lower pest infestation rates.
The capital cities ranked by pest infestations
Greater Sydney ranks as the most pest-prone capital city, with a total ‘pest-infestation’ score of 56.59 out of 100. Sydney recorded the highest levels of pest activity, including over 7,300 Google searches per 100,000 people, almost twice the rate of pest control tasks as the national average and a high urban density of 154.6 dwellings per square kilometre.
Greater Brisbane comes in second with a score of 49.60, driven largely by environmental factors such as warm temperatures and high humidity, as well as a high pest activity score. Greater Darwin ranks third at 47.70, standing out for its extreme environmental conditions – tropical climate, high humidity, and heavy rainfall, despite having relatively low urban density.
The most common pests in each capital city
Cockroach infestations take the top spot in Sydney, making up almost three in ten (28.8%) of pest-related tasks posted on Airtasker. Spiders (12.4%) and rodents (6.8%) also cause frequent headaches for Sydney residents. Perth shows a similar trend, with cockroaches accounting for 17.2% of pest tasks, though spiders are almost just as common (16.7%), thanks to the city’s warm climate and bushland surroundings.
In Melbourne, rodents are the clear frontrunners, with one in five pest-related tasks involving rats or mice. Cooler winters and a dense urban environment create ideal conditions for rodents to seek shelter in homes. Spiders (14.9%), possums (12.9%) and wasps and bees (11%) follow closely behind. Rodents and possums make up the top two pest (or unwanted house guests, as possums aren’t considered pests) issues in Adelaide (17.1% and 16.3%, respectively) and Hobart (16.3% and 18.4%, respectively).
Brisbane tells a different story, with fleas emerging as the city’s biggest pest problem (17.6%). The warm, humid climate, combined with high rates of pet ownership, makes the perfect recipe for flea infestations. Cockroaches come in second at 11.2%, also thriving in Brisbane’s subtropical conditions. Canberra stands out for its wasp and bee issues, where these stinging insects dominate the pest-related tasks due to the city’s leafy suburbs and seasonal swarms.
The most pest-infested regions by state
Some cities are more susceptible to pest infestations than others, with metropolitan areas in New South Wales among the hardest hit. However, pest risk can vary significantly within each state. So, which urban areas experience the highest levels of pest activity? Where are the risks greatest, and which cities might be best to avoid if you’re looking to keep your home as pest-free as possible?
The most pest-infested regions in New South Wales
If you’re living in Sydney, particularly closer to the city, you may be dealing with more pests than you realise. Sydney City and Inner South top the list as the most pest-infested region in New South Wales, with a score of 61.04 out of 100. Close behind are the Eastern Suburbs and the Inner West. Within Sydney City and Inner South, the suburb of Sydney ranks first has the most pest-related tasks on Airtasker, with 13% of tasks located in this area, followed by Marrickville and Surry Hills (both at 6%). Meanwhile, in the Eastern Suburbs, Bondi Beach ranks as the most pest-infested suburb based on Airtasker tasks (11%).
These densely populated areas, characterised by a mix of older buildings and limited green space, create ideal conditions for pests to find their way into your home. Other significantly affected regions include Ryde (45.22), Parramatta (43.98), and North Sydney & Hornsby (43.00). Even outer suburbs like Blacktown (38.58) and Baulkham Hills & Hawkesbury (35.32) are experiencing notable levels of pest activity.
The most pest-infested regions in Victoria
Victoria ranks relatively low when it comes to pest activity compared to other states. However, Melbourne’s Inner City experiences substantial pest risk, ranking as the most pest-infested region in Victoria and scoring 44.18 out of 100 in the index. This is followed by the Inner East (36.16) and Inner South (35.81), reinforcing the trend that densely populated, central areas are more susceptible to pest problems.
The issue extends beyond the city centre, with outer regions such as the South East (30.91), Outer East (30.83), and North East (29.53) reporting moderate levels of pest activity. Even more regional locations like the Mornington Peninsula (25.39) and Geelong (25.11) appear in the top 10, showing that pest issues aren’t confined to the urban centre.
The most pest-infested regions in Queensland
If you’re in Queensland, especially around Brisbane, chances are you’re encountering more than a few pests. Brisbane’s Inner City is the most pest-infested area in the state, with a score of 48.33 out of 100. This isn’t surprising given the dense mix of residential, commercial, and older buildings, which offer ideal conditions for pests to thrive. Within the region, the suburb of Brisbane City sees the highest number of pest control tasks on Airtasker (10%), followed by Morningside and West End (both at 6%).
The surrounding suburbs to the north, south, east, and west also report high levels of activity, reflecting a broader urban trend. But the issue isn’t limited to the capital. Cairns ranks third overall with a score of 34.76, driven by its warm, humid climate that supports pest activity year-round. Other popular coastal regions, such as the Gold Coast (33.09), Wide Bay (31.63), and Sunshine Coast (29.91), also experience significant pest issues.
The most pest-infested regions in Western Australia
Western Australia reports some of the lowest pest infestation levels in the country, but it doesn’t mean that everywhere is immune to pests. The most affected region in WA is Inner Perth, which scored 27.04 out of 100 in the index.
Meanwhile, rural and remote regions, including the Outback North, Outback South, and the Wheat Belt, recorded some of the lowest scores in the country, all under 17. These findings suggest that factors such as WA’s lower population density, newer infrastructure, and drier climate may all contribute to its overall reduced pest presence.
The most pest-infested regions in South Australia
Pest activity in South Australia is relatively moderate compared to other states, with the majority of issues concentrated in and around Adelaide. West Adelaide reports the highest pest infestation score in the state at 29.00 out of 100, followed by South Adelaide (26.37), Central and Hills (25.94), and North Adelaide (24.23).
These higher scores in urban areas are likely due to a combination of dense populations, older housing, and greater access to food and shelter, all of which create favourable conditions for pests. In contrast, regional areas experience less pest pressure. For example, Barossa–Yorke–Mid North scored 22.21 and the South East came in at 20.78. The Outback reported the lowest infestation score, just 18.47, reflecting its sparse population and arid climate.
How Australia’s pest problem has changed over time
The number of pest-related tasks on Airtasker has grown by 24.1% between 2020 and 2024. Seasonal trends are clearly evident, with summer months consistently showing the highest number of pest control activities, reflecting increased demand during the warmer season. January is the most common month for pests, with 148% more pest-related tasks compared to the lowest month of August. This seasonal spike aligns closely with the behaviour patterns of common pests such as cockroaches, spiders, wasps, and bees, which are more active in warmer weather.
Common pests and where you’ll find them
The regions with the most rodent infestations
West Melbourne has the biggest rodent problem in Australia, scoring the highest pest activity index at 66.19. It tops the chart with a perfect task score of 100, showing frequent professional pest control jobs. In fact, the number of pest control tasks in West Melbourne was 305% higher than the national average.
Melbourne dominates the top ten most rodent-infested areas, with North East, South East, North West, and Outer East also making the list. Outside Melbourne, North East Perth ranks second for rodent activity with a score of 48.69. Other areas struggling with rats and mice include Blacktown, Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury, and Sydney City and Inner South in New South Wales, as well as Wide Bay in Queensland.
The regions with the most cockroach infestations
Sydney City and Inner South experience the worst cockroach infestations in Australia, with 764% more pest-control tasks per 100,000 people than the national average. Sydney dominates the top ten, claiming nine of the ten spots. The only region outside Sydney to make the list is Wide Bay, which ranks fifth. While fewer professional pest-control jobs are reported there, it had the highest level of online searches, showing that locals are clearly concerned.
The regions with the most ant infestations
Ant infestations are most active in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, which top the list with the highest activity score of 65.15 and a perfect task score of 100.00. The region reported 211% more ant-related tasks per 100,000 people than the national average. Blacktown and Ryde followed in second and third place, with Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury, North Sydney and Hornsby, and Sydney City and Inner South also ranking in the top ten. The results show ants are a widespread problem across Sydney. Outside the city, Brisbane South and Inner City, West Melbourne, and Wide Bay also made the top ten.
The regions with the most spider infestations
Spiders are a major concern in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, which top the list with an activity score of 78.44, with the number of tasks listed on Airtasker sitting 274% higher than the national average per 100,000 people. Blacktown, Sydney City and Inner South, and five other Sydney regions also report very high activity levels. Strong search scores confirm that locals aren’t just encountering spiders frequently—they’re actively worried about them. Within the Eastern Suburbs, Airtasker data shows Paddington records the most spider activity, followed by Bondi and Randwick.
The regions with the most wasps and bee infestations
Blacktown has the highest rate of wasp and bee problems in Australia, with an activity score of 63.47 out of 100. While a handful of other Sydney regions also make the top ten, Melbourne dominates the rankings, with six regions featured. The North East takes third place, while the Inner East sits in fifth.
The regions with the most termite infestations
South Brisbane tops the list for termite trouble, recording 248% more pest-control tasks per 100,000 people than the national average, along with high Google search interest for termite infestations. Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury (60.75) and West Brisbane (56.36) also rank highly. Termites are a major concern due to the serious damage they can cause to buildings, particularly in warm, humid climates, which causes major concern as six of the top regions for infestations are located in Queensland.
The regions with the most flea infestations
Brisbane Inner City has the highest rate of flea problems, recording 536% more pest-control tasks per 100,000 people than the national average. Wide Bay also shows major concerns, topping the search score at 100.00. Other Brisbane and Sydney regions report regular flea complaints too, likely linked to high pet ownership and the warmer climate. South East Tasmania and the Gold Coast also feature in the top ten.
The regions with the most possum infestations
While possums aren’t actually considered pests and are protected creatures, many people don’t want possums in their home, due to possums being noisy at night and leaving droppings behind. Melbourne’s Inner East topped all regions with an activity score of 74.27, followed closely by Melbourne’s Inner South at 73.35, with both regions having a rate of tasks per 100,000 population 300% higher than the national average. In fact, six of the top 10 regions with the highest activity score for possums were from Melbourne or the Mornington Peninsula. The other 4 spots belonged to regions within Greater Sydney – North Sydney and Hornsby, Ryde, Northern Beaches and the Eastern Suburbs. And possum infestations seem to be on the increase. In August, Airtasker saw a 40% increase year on year in demand for possum tasks, which is the highest increase seen year to date.
How to prevent and get rid of pests in the home
For those worried about pests or suffering from a current infestation, licensed Pest Technician and Tasker, Ibby El-Jamal, has provided his top tips to remove and prevent pests from taking over your home.
1. Focus on prevention first
The easiest way to deal with pests is to discourage them from getting in. Keep your home tidy, seal food properly in containers, wipe down benches regularly, and empty bins often. Block off entry points by sealing cracks, adding door sweeps to wide gaps, and even using mesh over weep holes. Simple steps like closing windows when you leave can also help keep out spiders and flying pests.
2. Control moisture and standing water
Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, black flies and even some cockroach species. Empty buckets, unclog gutters, refresh bird baths, and rake up damp leaves in your garden to prevent moisture build-up. Keeping humidity down inside your home also helps make it less attractive to pests.
3. Stay on top of cockroaches
German cockroaches reproduce at a rapid rate – with each egg capsule producing up to 40 or even 50 young – making them one of the most common pests in the country. To prevent infestations, keep your kitchen clean, store food securely, and wipe down floors regularly. If you find a few cockroaches in your home, you can consider baits or sticky traps. However, if cockroaches persist for more than a few days, it’s a sign you should call in a pest professional.
4. Don’t let rodents settle in
Rodents are quick to nest, reproduce in groups, and can carry diseases like leptospirosis and rat-bite fever. Keep rubbish sealed in bags and bins outside, cover all food in your kitchen, and block their access points. Peanut butter makes an effective bait in traps, but if rodents are still around after a few days, get professional help immediately.
5. Act early — especially in summer
Infestations tend to spike in the warmer months as heat speeds up pest breeding cycles. With more food and water available, pests spread faster, especially in densely populated cities like Sydney. Prevention and quick action are key — deal with pests at the first sign before they multiply.
Find a Tasker to get rid of pests
If pests have moved into your home and you’re not sure how to get rid of them – or keep them from coming back – post a task on Airtasker today. A skilled Tasker can quickly take care of the problem so you can get back to enjoying a pest-free home.
How much does pest control cost?
The cost of pest control largely depends on the type of pest, the severity of the infestation, the property size and the treatment method. It also depends on where you live; major cities like Sydney have rates that are 50% to 80% higher than those of smaller cities like Cairns. Prices vary between $147 and $467 depending on these factors.
Exterminator prices depend on the type of pest. Common ones like cockroaches and ants are typically less expensive to treat than termites due to the simpler treatment methods. Termite control, on the other hand, is often costly because of the specialised and environmentally sensitive chemicals involved, as well as the potential need for a pre-treatment inspection.
You’ll likely find that wasp, bee, rodent, and bird pest control is more budget-friendly than dealing with termites, as simple solutions like nest removal and traps are often enough. Be sure to use licensed professionals for protected animals like possums. For bed bugs, be prepared for higher costs due to their resistance to common treatments.
Want to know more about the cost of pest control removal? You can view our full guide here.
| Pest | Average Removal Cost |
|---|---|
| Cockroaches | $166 – $654 |
| Ants | $200 – $300 |
| Bed bugs | $500 – $1,350 |
| Fleas | $190 – $373 |
| Rodents (including mice & rats) | $178 – $320 |
| Spiders | $178 – $423 |
| Termites | $595 – $4,063 |
| Wasps | $113 – $395 |
| Birds | $250 – $700 |
| Snakes | $165 – $650 |
About the data
Airtasker has conducted research using a combination of primary and secondary data to assess the most pest-infested cities in Australia. Leveraging the latest available data for nine metrics across four key categories, we look at factors that indicate potential risks and indicators for regions signalling a high propensity for pest issues in Australian homes.
Using the metrics, we have normalised the raw values, then weighted each, as listed below, in order to create an index score for comparability that allowed us to rank the most pest-infested cities in Australia.
Please note that the use of the term city within this research is used interchangeably in reference to SA4 regions, as allocated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
- Activity Indicators (25%) – evaluates the risk level for mould due to climate factors, with higher values signifying a greater risk
- Pest control tasks per capita (15%): volume of pest control tasks on the AirTasker platform per 100,000 population
- Search volume per reach (10%): Google search volume for mould removal keywords and search terms per 100,00 reach
- Environmental Drivers (40%)– captures the real-world response to mould issues
- Humidity (16%): mean daily relative humidity (%), using an average from relative humidity at max and min temperatures
- Temperature (3%): average daily temperature (°C), using an average from max and min temperatures
- Rainfall (11%): average daily rainfall (mm)
- Structural and Resource Risks (10%)* – assesses the level of structural vulnerability to mould growth
- Housing conditions (5%): proportion (%) of dwellings with major cracks in walls and floors
- Organic waste generation (5%): Volume, in tonnes per capita, of core municipal solid waste (organic) generated
- Urban Pressure (25%) – Represents the human and service-related dynamics that can influence pest presence or control capacity
- Pest Controllers (8%): ratio of available pest control professionals per occupied private dwelling within a region.**
- Urban Density (17%): volume of occupied private dwellings per square kilometre.
*note that this data is available only at the state level
** this metric contributes inversely to the index score i.e. a higher value, reduces the index score
Activity Indicators
Internal Airtasker data was utilised by looking over 30,000 tasks posted on the AirTasker platform under the pest control category between January 2020 and July 2025 inclusive. The number of tasks per 100,000 was calculated based on ABS population data and the calculated total persons for the given time period matching the internal task data.
Pest subcategories were identified by Regular Expression search using multiple related keywords, for example, Rodents were searched with terms surrounding mouse, mice, rat(s) and rodent(s).
Search volume for pest control categories was conducted using an array of search terms related to pest control and 10 of the most common pests. The number of search terms for each pest varied slightly due to pests having fewer relevant search variations, which should be taken into consideration when comparing search volume across categories. Search volume was gathered using the Google Ads API at the municipality level, which was translated into the average search volume per reach in each SA4 region by allocating the closest region to each SA4 region by coordinate location. Search data was compiled from July 2021 – June 2025, inclusive.
Environmental Drivers
Climate Data was sourced from the SILO Australian climate database from 2020-2024. The average daily rainfall, average daily temperatures and average daily relative humidity were calculated by aggregating gridded data overlaying SA4 regional geographic shapefiles provided by the ABS to accurately correspond climate data to each region.
From this, a pest climate risk index was created from min-max normalised values of temperature, rainfall and relative humidity for each SA4 region to assess its level of pest infestation risk, with the following values as reference points:
Variable | Min (low risk) | Max (high risk) |
Temperature (°C) | 15 | 30 |
RH (%) | 50 | 85 |
Rainfall (mm) | 2 | 8 |
Structural and Resource Risks
Data for structural vulnerability was sourced from the ABS Housing Mobility and Conditions data from 2019-20, where a percentage of dwellings with major cracks in walls and floors is used to highlight potential for pest infestation. Households in SA1s regions defined as “very remote” were excluded from the percentage estimates of dwellings with Major cracks in walls or floors, which accounts for about 21% of the population of the Northern Territory.
Urban Pressure
Urban density has been measured by the number of occupied private dwellings per square kilometre of the region. The number of dwellings was sourced from the ABS 2021 Census. This resource was also used to attain population and occupation data to determine the density of pest control professionals in each region.
Sources:
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water – Waste generation and resource recovery data 2022-23
- SILO Australian climate database, 2020-2024
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Estimated Regional Population, 2020-24
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Housing Mobility and Conditions, 2019/20
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Census of Population and Housing, 2021
- Google Keyword Ad Planner: Search Volume from July, 2021 – June 2025, accessed via Google Ads API
- Airtasker internal task data, 2020-2025