Pest identification

It can sometimes be difficult to correctly identify an insect pest which is why we ask customers to bring a sample of the insect pest into our customer service centre at City Hall. The insect pest will be sent off to be tested and once the pest has been identified, a pest operative will be in contact with you to arrange an appointment.

Choosing a container

The container you use must be empty, clean and dry and have an air tight lid.  Do not use a match box as this is not air tight.  Examples of suitable containers include: 

• Pill jar
• Plastic tub
• Plastic bottle
• Glass bottle
• Glass jar

How to get a sample

We suggest you try to get at least three samples.

• If the pest is a very small insect (eg a flea) an easy way to pick up a sample is to dab the pest with a cotton wool bud.
• If the pest is a larger insect pest, spray it with a fly spray then either gently brush it into your container or pick it up with tweezers and drop it in.

Please don't:

• Use sticky tape to collect a sample insect pest as it will get damaged when you remove it from the tape; or
• Hit insects with a rolled-up newspaper or magazine as this will squash the insect and make it really difficult to identify.