Media Release
NEW RESEARCH FINDS IRRITATING INSECTS ARE DRIVING AUSTRALIANS
OUT OF THEIR HOMES
In the lead up to summer, new research reveals that Australian’s negative reactions to insects
are so intense that over a third of people surveyed confessed they’ve left a room and even their
home to get away from them. While for 17 percent of the population their aversion is so great,
they rely on someone else to remove insects from their homes.
The research, conducted as part of the Mortein Insect Index reveals some truths about
Australian’s attitudes to creepy crawlies, with 61 percent of the population disliking insects so
much that upon seeing them they become resolute on killing them - no matter what. For 18
percent of respondents, this means frantically chasing them around their homes with spray and
six percent of the population will either break into a cold sweat or scream for help.
Topping the Index for the most feared insects are cockroaches, followed by mosquitoes, then
fleas, which appear to cause the most distress when they invade the home. For 72 percent of
respondents the diminutive mozzie is the most likely critter to keep them awake at night,
ruining a good night’s sleep and leaving behind itchy reminders. So for half of all Australians, this
means they’ll keep their windows closed when they hit the hay this summer, making the
warmer nights even harder to bear.
Leading Entomologist Dr Peter Miller from the University of Technology, Sydney reviewed the
survey results, “I was surprised by the intensity of the reactions that Australia’s feel towards
common household insects. Summer is the peak season for insects; they are more active and
breed much faster than in the cooler months - bad news for anyone who gets put off at the sight
of them!”
Australians who aren’t afraid of insects may change their minds after reading Dr Millers’ top ten
interesting insects facts:
1.
One female cockroach can produce two million offspring in one year
2.
Cockroaches can enter homes by swimming up U bends in toilets and sinks, and live in
rubber fridge linings
3.
Cockroach droppings can short out electrical equipment
4.
Cockroaches can live in tiny cracks and crevices as small as 0.5 mm
5.
The average airspeed of the common housefly is 7.2km per hour
6.
The female mosquito needs to feed on blood to reproduce and is attracted to carbon-
dioxide
7.
Mosquitoes detect their prey's body temperature using infra red
8.
Queen ants can live for 10-15 years
9.
An average jump for a flea is equivalent to a 1.8 m human jumping the length of a
football field
10. Fleas have been responsible for the death of more humans than all the wars ever
fought
The Mortein Insect Index shows that annoyance and fear aren’t the only instincts that insects
invoke. For close to 30 percent of those surveyed protecting their family is their key motivator
for removing insects from the home. While some insects are just downright annoying, including
the common household fly that 60 percent of respondents unhappily share their homes with.
“Sharing our homes with insects can be an extremely uncomfortable experience and it’s during
the summer months that they most often make their way inside, despite our best efforts to
keep them at bay,” commented Dr Miller.
One insect that Australians are best to keep at bay is the unassuming cockroach, with a third of
Australians reporting that they consider it to be a sign of an unhygienic household, while 22
percent think it is a sign of poor pest control.
“There is never an easy way to explain to guests why a cockroach just ran across the room, so
it’s worthwhile protecting your home, your family and your reputation by examining your pest
control solutions” advises Dr Miller.
“Ad hoc pest control does work but can be very stressful especially if it sends you running
around the house wielding a firm object trying to kill them. Installing a Mortein NaturGard
automatic system, which is designed to control flying and crawling insects is a good solution, it
act as security systems and will help reduce pest problems in your home,” recommended Dr
Miller.
Despite the level of fear surrounding insects for some, Australians are most strongly motivated
by their annoyance of creepy crawlies to remove them from their homes. For 57 percent of us
this means reaching for the insect spray, while 24 percent find a fly swatter or whatever is close
enough to grab in order to kill it.
There is relief at hand however for the 91 percent of survey respondents who wish they did not
have to worry about insects invading their homes this summer, thanks to the Mortein
NaturGard Automatic Indoor Insect Control System.
The survey was conducted by Pure Profile among 1000 Australians aged between 18 and 64 years, in
October 2009.
For more information or to organise an interview please contact
Rosemary Biggs at Hausmann Communications on
02 8353 5736 / 0415 319 862 or rosemary.biggs@hausmann.com.au
NEWS 
