May 2025 Pest Alert: Termites, dengue-carrying mozzies, electric ants and a rodent spike are all hitting Cairns right now — here’s how to stay one step ahead.
May 2025 has been anything but quiet for Cairns homeowners. A run of heavy rain this month has left timbers damp and perfect for termites, and local pest companies are already reporting fresh swarms chewing into decks and wall frames. At the same time, Queensland Health has flagged new dengue activity across the Far North, a reminder that mosquito numbers are climbing as warm, muggy evenings return, read more at Queensland Health.
Throw in Biosecurity Queensland’s push to wipe out electric ants in suburban yards and a nation-wide rodent spike driven by autumn breeding cycles, and it’s clear Cairns is facing a multi-front pest problem right now.
This guide cuts through the noise. You’ll learn how to spot early warning signs, why quick professional help saves thousands in repairs, and the exact treatment plans Tropical Palms Pest Management uses to shut pests down fast. By the end, you’ll know the smartest way to protect your home, your family, and your bank balance—before tiny intruders turn into six-figure headaches.
Why Cairns Homes Face a Four-Pronged Pest Threat in May 2025
1. Termites love the recent rain
Warm days plus soggy timber equal prime swarming conditions. After April’s downpours, subterranean colonies are sending out winged alates to start new nests, and damp joists give them a head-start. If you’re spotting discarded wings on window sills or hearing faint hollow knocks in skirting boards, call a pro before the damage snowballs.
2. Dengue-carrying mozzies are back
Cairns just logged its first locally-acquired dengue case in nearly ten years, confirming that Aedes mosquitoes are active again. Health officials say Far North case numbers this year are already four times higher than the previous four-year average, so every backyard water source is a breeding ground. Swap out standing water, fit screens, and consider a barrier treatment around outdoor living areas. Further reading at The Chronicle & ABC
3. Electric ants trigger new biosecurity rules
A fresh state-wide program kicked off on 21 April 2025, locking Cairns into a strict biosecurity zone. Moving soil, mulch, potted plants, or construction waste now carries penalties unless you can prove it’s ant-free. These tiny stingers blind pets and ruin lawns, so schedule a yard check if you’ve brought in landscaping materials recently.
4. Rodent numbers are spiking after autumn breeding
Nation-wide monitoring shows rat and mouse populations climbing off the back of last November’s breeding cycle, and Cairns’ leafy suburbs give them endless food and shelter. Chewed cables, roof-void scratching, or greasy rub-marks on skirting boards mean it’s time for bait stations and proofing.
Bottom line: four very different pests are all hitting Cairns at once. A single, integrated treatment plan—inspection, targeted control, and follow-up monitoring—will save thousands in repairs and medical bills. Tropical Palms Pest Management tackles all four threats in one visit, so book your inspection today before these invaders dig in.
7 Warning Signs You Need a Pest Pro Right Now
# | Red flag | What it looks or sounds like | Why you act fast |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Mud tubes on stumps or piers | Pencil-thin tunnels running up brickwork or posts | Subterranean termites use them as protected highways straight into the timber frame. |
2 | Discarded wings on window-sills | Tiny, clear wings scattered like fish scales after rain | Winged “alates” have swarmed, mated and dropped their wings. A fresh colony is starting in or near your home. |
3 | Mosquito explosions at dusk | A cloud of mozzies around verandahs and pot plants within minutes of sunset | Cairns has nearly doubled dengue cases this year, so every bite carries risk. |
4 | Stinging ‘electric’ ants in pot plants | Pin-head-sized reddish ants that give a sharp sting when disturbed | Cairns sits inside a strict electric-ant biosecurity zone; you must report sightings within 24 hours. |
5 | Late-night roof scratching | Scrabbling or gnawing above the ceiling around 2 am | Roof rats and mice are breeding hard after autumn; they chew wires and spread disease. |
6 | Greasy rub marks on skirting boards | Dark, oily smears along runways or under sinks | Rodents leave sebum trails where their bodies brush the same path nightly. |
7 | Spongy or hollow-sounding timber | Knock on door frames or decks and it sounds papery | Termites have eaten the inside, leaving only a thin paint shell. |
Spot one of these signs?
Book a free, roof-to-stump inspection with Tropical Palms Pest Management today. Catching pests early saves you thousands in repairs and medical bills—plus it keeps Cairns’ biosecurity teams happy.
Tropical Palms’ 5-Step Defence Plan: How We Wipe Out Pests and Keep Them Gone
1. Free roof-to-stump inspection
Our technicians start with a top-to-bottom audit of the house: roof void, sub-floor, wall cavities, garden beds, and fence lines. They map termite entry points, mozzie breeding spots, ant trails, and rodent runways, then hand you a same-day risk report and quote. No obligation, no call-out fee—just clear answers.
2. Custom treatment that targets every invader
One blanket spray never works in the tropics. We pair liquid termiticides for timber, insect growth regulators for mosquitoes, species-specific baits for rodents, and non-repellent dusts for electric ants. Each product is APVMA-approved and chosen for low toxicity to kids, pets, and reef waterways.
3. Eco-friendly application, zero mess
Technicians use precision injectors and thermal foggers, so chemicals stay where pests live and food prep areas stay clean. We clean up after ourselves and leave a treatment card that lists all products, batch numbers, and safe-re-entry times.
4. Iron-clad warranty and free re-service
If any treated pest shows up again inside six months, we come back and fix it free. Our internal-area guarantee is on the public record and backed by hundreds of five-star reviews. Check out our reviews on trustindex.io
5. Annual protection and prevention tips
Before we leave, you get a simple checklist—drain pot-plant saucers weekly, stack timber off the ground, seal door sweeps—that keeps new colonies from forming. Sign up for an annual service and we refresh barriers, top up baits, and update your report, so your property stays certification-ready all year.
Ready to lock in your defence? Book your free inspection today and stop termites, mozzies, ants, and rodents before they cost you a cent in repairs.
Ready to Protect Your Home? Get Your Free Quote Today
Tropical Palms Pest Management makes pest control in Cairns simple and safe:
- Fast, obligation-free quote – know your price before you commit
- Family- and pet-safe treatments approved for tropical environments
- Six-month internal service warranty – if treated pests return, we come back at no cost
- Local experts who understand Cairns pests and climate
- Five-star reputation backed by hundreds of verified client reviews
Next step: Request My Quote or call 0432 229 104. A licensed technician will inspect, explain the plan in plain English, and schedule treatment at a time that suits you. Transparent, effective, done.
Servicing Cairns City, Smithfield, Kewarra Beach, Redlynch and surrounding suburbs.