Identifying Potential Pest Risks
Pestar Services inspects for signs of infestation such as live or dead insects, egg masses, borer holes in timber, mosquito activity, and plant or soil matter that may carry pests. Early detection helps prevent the spread of harmful species.
Comprehensive Inspection Coverage
Our team conducts thorough checks inside and outside shipping containers, on vehicles and machinery, within timber packaging, food products, and vessel surfaces to ensure all potential pest entry points are addressed.
Effective Pest Response and Containment
If pests are detected, Pestar Services provides immediate guidance on containment — isolating affected cargo, securing areas, documenting findings, and applying safe treatments to prevent contamination or spread.
HITCHHIKER PESTS
Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs
Hitchhiker pests can arrive in Australia on cargo and containers and may be more common at particular times of the year. The brown marmorated stink bug is one such pest which originates from Asia and has spread to North America and Europe in recent decades.
What they look like
Adult brown marmorated stink bugs are 12 to 17 millimetres long and mottled with a faint reddish tinge. While there are species of stink bugs in Australia that may look similar, adult brown marmorated stink bugs have distinctive black and white banding around the edge of the abdomen, with white bands on the last two antennal segments.
What to look for
Brown marmorated stink bugs can be found in large numbers seeking shelter from cold weather in crevices or protected areas of shipping containers, vehicles, boats, caravans, machinery and personal stored items.
When to look for them
Brown marmorated stink bugs are more frequently found on goods arriving in Australia between September and April, coinciding with late autumn and winter in the northern hemisphere.
Asian Gypsy Moth
The Asian gypsy moth is a major threat to Australia’s horticulture and forestry industries, native forests and urban plants. Adult moths are pale with black marks and have a wingspan of between 3 cm and 7 cm. Larvae are covered by tufts of long hair and can be dispersed on the wind. Egg masses are laid on surfaces near lights when vessels dock at temperate Asian ports (China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Russia) between May and October. These masses contain up to 1,200 eggs that are covered in yellow scales and can remain viable for months.
Burnt Pine Longicorn Beetle
Burnt pine longicorn beetles lay their eggs into pine and spruce trees where their larvae bore into the timber. This species is found in Europe, North Africa and New Zealand, and can fly aboard or be brought in with cargo. Burnt pine longicorn beetles shelter in crevices during daylight hours. They are active and attracted to lights on summer nights, generally between November and March. Adults can be between 1 cm and 3 cm in length, are dark brown and have long antennae.
Khapra Beetle
Khapra beetles feed on dried plant and animal products, with a preference for grain and stored products. This is a risk to Australia’s grain industries and could jeopardise our export grain markets. Larvae can survive being dormant for two or more years in varied conditions. Adult beetles are reddish-brown, oval in shape and about 2 to 3 mm long. Larvae are typically very hairy (with distinctive tufts over the body and a short tail), are pale yellow to golden-brown, and range in size up to 5 mm long. They go through several moulting stages, leaving behind numerous cast skins which can indicate their presence.
Exotic Honey Bees
Exotic honey bees may be aggressive, and the parasites such as varroa mite and the diseases they carry pose a significant threat to Australia’s honey and agricultural industries. Bees are usually between 1 cm and 2 cm in length and are hairy and often patterned with black and yellow or orange markings. Wax combs or insects flying to and from a nest can indicate the presence of bees. Nests may be found underneath a structure or in hollow spaces. If a colony or swarm of bees is discovered on board, do not disturb them. Bees require specialist treatment.
Mosquitoes and Mosquito Wrigglers
Mosquito larvae (wrigglers) are the life stage most likely to be found onboard vessels. They live in pools of fresh or brackish water and are very active (wriggle) when approached or disturbed. Adults, which are slow fliers, often hide in dark, protected areas and lay their eggs (which look like black specks of pepper) where water pools. Eggs can remain viable for up to a year.
Multicoloured Asian Lady Beetle
The multicoloured Asian lady beetle is another invasive insect that is rapidly spreading across overseas countries. When seeking shelter from the cold, they can congregate on shipping containers and various other cargo items that may be loaded onto vessels. These beetles are fairly circular and dome-shaped and between 5 mm and 8 mm long. The colour may be yellow, orange, red or black, and they can have many, some or no spots.
Exotic Snails and Slugs
Exotic snails and slugs can cause severe damage to Australian agricultural systems and natural areas, and can spread diseases that affect humans, animals and plants. They are able to spread as eggs, juveniles or adults, and these can be attached to vessel structures, cargo, shipping containers, machinery or motor vehicles. The giant African snail (often referred to by biosecurity officers as GAS) can have a shell length of up to 20 cm and eggs that are about 5 mm wide.
Exotic Ants
Exotic ants may be aggressive and invasive. If they establish in Australia, they could cause social, ecological and economic damage. Being social insects, they are often found in groups or associated with a nest. Ants can range in size from 1 mm to 30 mm in length. Each colony may contain ants with a variety of sizes, colours and forms, including winged individuals. Fertilised queen ants, which may have wings, pose a high biosecurity risk.
Other Plant Pests and Borers
Plant pests can be found on any part of a plant, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers and seeds. Some insects and mites on plants can be microscopic or hidden beneath a wax covering. Their presence may be indicated by leaves with webbing, marks or unusual growth. Borers can live inside timber, stems or seeds, often leaving signs such as holes or frass (similar to sawdust).
Why Organisations Trust Pestar Services
Trusted Pest Management Backed by Experience and Reliability
Pestar Services operates where threats first arrive — at Australia’s ports. Our technicians are highly trained to detect, identify, and control invasive pests before they spread inland. By working closely with port authorities and biosecurity agencies, we help safeguard Australia’s borders from harmful pests and diseases.
Ships and cargo present complex pest control challenges that require industry-specific expertise. Pestar Services understands the conditions onboard vessels, storage holds, and shipping containers, allowing us to implement tailored treatment plans that comply with strict maritime and quarantine regulations.
Imported pests can devastate Australia’s crops, livestock, and ecosystems. Our role in early detection and containment ensures that threats are neutralised before they can impact our food supply, native wildlife, or industries that sustain local communities. This proactive approach protects both livelihoods and biodiversity.
With years of experience in biosecurity operations, Pestar Services has earned the trust of shipping companies, logistics providers, and regulatory agencies nationwide. Our reputation is built on reliability, compliance, and results — ensuring every vessel and consignment meets Australia’s high biosecurity standards.
