Aussie homeowner’s ‘living hell’ bug invasion sparks fears

A NSW local has shared a wild video of the bugs that have taken over their home, leading Aussies to wonder if they need to be concerned.

An Aussie homeowner has shared a wild video of a total bug takeover, leading others to wonder when it will be heading their way.

A Reddit user based in Central New South Wales has taken to the forum this week, sharing a clip of the outside of their home.

“Anyone else receive guests last night?” they asked.

In the video, you can see thousands of small bugs flying around the user’s porch – like mosquitoes to a bug zapper. Except, these little guys aren’t mosquitoes at all.

“It was hard to capture on video just how many there were … Bloody Rutherglen bugs. Might beat out the mozzie for ‘Worst Bug’,” they said.

“Bad enough they swarm; they can also seemingly squeeze through any gap, are tough to kill, and like to bite. I hate them. The house is full of them. I’m stressed.”

An Aussie homeowner has shared a series of clips showing the bugs that have taken over their home. Picture: Reddit.

Rutherglen bugs are small, native Australian pests that swarm in warm weather. They can be found in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and southern Western Australia, but are most prominent in rural and remote areas – and can cause significant damage to canola, sunflower, and sorghum crops, among others.

Commenters on the post, many whom had never seen the insects before, were concerned to say the least, with some suggesting some fairly extreme coping measures.

“It’s their house now, you should leave. That looks like an actual living hell,” one person said.

“Get the flamethrower out,” another suggested.

“Release the mosquito smoke machine,” said a third.

But, according to Pest2Kill founder Julian Bracewell, they’re not as menacing as they may seem.

“Rutherglen bugs look worse than they are. They don’t bite, they’re not dangerous, but when they turn up in their hundreds it can really freak people out,” he told news.com.au.

The bugs had completely covered their deck. Picture: Reddit.

Thankfully, they may not be as difficult to get rid of as they appear. Picture: Reddit.

Mr Bracewell said that more than anything, they can be a headache because they arrive in swarms, so it feels like an overnight infestation. They will then wander into living areas, bedrooms and outdoor spaces — so they’re a real nuisance.

However, they can be relatively easy to deal with, if you want to get rid of them.

“For most homes, the best tool for Rutherglen bugs isn’t a can of spray – it’s a vacuum cleaner,” Mr Bracewell said.

Once you’ve gotten rid of everything indoors, he suggests cutting back on bright outdoor lights at night or switching to warmer bulbs, as they’re drawn to light. Then, seal gaps around doors and windows to keep new ones out.

“If someone’s really getting hammered or it’s a sensitive site – like schools, aged care, or food premises – a light perimeter treatment by a licensed pest company usually stops the flow without drenching everything in chemicals,” he added.

Originally published as Aussie homeowner’s ‘living hell’ bug invasion sparks fears