Ant nests are often found in wall voids, roof voids and
gardens. Ants are considered a household pest because of
their nuisance value, the risk they can pose to health and
in some cases (coastal brown ants) because of their excavating
habits.
The most effective ant treatment is the destruction of the
nest with a registered insecticide. However, good housekeeping
practices can minimize a problem with an ant infestation.
In Spring bees can often swarm outside windows and doors.
In most cases this problem will have resolved itself within
a few hours. If the bees are entering/exiting from within
a wall crack or cavity a nest may be present, in which case
the destruction of the colony may be required via the application
of an insecticidal dust.
The seasonal nesting of birds in a roof can result in
a problem with bird mites, which can cause a severe skin
irritation. Our normal policy is to remove the nest, dust
the nest area with an insecticidal dust and proof the entry
points.
We undertake bird proofing to domestic and small commercial
premises via the installation of bird spikes, mesh, net
or gutter guard; the boxing of down-pipes and inclusion
of other physical barriers. We also undertake bird trapping.
There are many species of timber borer, most of which
do not attack timber in service. A positive identification
is necessary before treatment can be specified or quoted.
The most recent technology
in the treatment of german cockroaches (tiny cockroaches
that live in warm areas such as around hot water systems,
the toaster, under the sink, in the bathroom) involves
the use of baits and gels.
The larger cockroaches live in wall voids, roof void,
drains, subfloors, garbage areas etc. We undertake
a residual surface spray to the subfloor, exterior
and interior (where possible) and treat the roof void
with an insecticidal dust. |
 |
The initial step is to locate the source of the infestation.
If your pet is infested with fleas it is necessary to undertake
a flea management program with products such as Frontline
or Advantix.
Before a successful flea treatment can be undertaken it
is necessary to ensure all grass is mown short and all floor
surfaces, especially along skirting boards and under furniture,
mats etc. are vacuumed thoroughly. The contents of the vacuum
bag should then be destroyed.
A professional flea treatment involves a blanket spraying
of all infested areas to both the interior and exterior
of the premises.
The most important thing a householder can do to minimize
an infestation of mosquitoes is to ensure all gutters are
free of debris and water, all grass is kept short and that
there is no stagnant water in which mosquitoes can breed.
However we are living in a coastal environment with lagoons,
dams, ponds and rainforest areas, which are the natural
breeding grounds for these pests.
We are able to offer several types of mosquito management
including a residual surface spray to harbourage areas,
such as under decks, areas of heavy foliage etc.
We also sell or rent both commercial and domestic, low voltage
units to control mosquitoes and biting midges. They are
environmentally friendly, internationally proven and safe
for humans and pets. These units control the mosquito population
by attracting the female mozzies (the females only are the
blood suckers) to the unit and killing them.
Silverfish commonly live in the roof void, wall voids,
bathrooms and in book and paper collections and wardrobes.
The strategic application of a registered insecticidal dust
can successfully eradicate a silverfish infestation. As
silverfish prefer dark, undisturbed places to live the householder
can help to manage such infestations by ensuring the premises
are light and airy.
It is necessary to first determine that the intruder in
your roof void is definitely a possum and not a rodent.
If the noise is a scratching noise, which is more prevalent
in the middle of the night, the culprit is more likely to
be a rodent. If the noise is heard just before sunrise and
after sunset it is likely to be a possum.
We are fully licensed by National Parks and Wild Life
to entrap and release possums.
Our service involves a full inspection of the accessible
roof void to determine the presence of a possum. We then
trap the possum (which can take several days), proof the
entry points and release the possum within fifty metres
of the point of capture, as per National Park & Wild
Life regulations. We can also provide possum hutches for
relocation of the animal into your garden, if you wish.
Rats and mice pose a serious health risk by spreading
diseases. They can also cause breakdowns in machinery and
electrical fires by their habit of gnawing.
While we can successfully manage a rodent infestation with
the application of baits to their harbourages, improving
sanitation and reducing the availability of warmth and shelter
is ultimately the long- term solution. Rodents usually become
problematic as the weather cools and they look for warm
harbourages such as roof voids.
The treatment of exterior webbing spiders involves the
application of a registered pesticide to all infested areas,
such as under gutters and eaves, around window and door-
frames, cracks and crevices, outdoor furniture etc. This
treatment cannot be undertaken on a windy day due to the
risk of spray drift.
A preventative treatment for ground dwelling spiders such
as funnel webs is not recommended, as the application of
a pesticide can often cause them to become aggressive and
to enter buildings. Wet weather can have the same effect.
The location and treatment of their funnels is effective
but not always possible or practical.
The best preventative measure is to ensure that washing
baskets, shoes, children’s toys etc are not left outside.
Many people are allergic to bees and/or wasps. The paperwasp
forms a nest that hangs down from an eave or an exterior
wall. It has visible cells like honeycomb and can vary in
size from the size of a coin to the size of a grapefruit
or larger.
Direct application of a registered pesticide to the nest
is effective in destroying the nest. We recommend leaving
the nest for several days after treatment before knocking
it down, so that any foraging wasps can return to the nest
and also be destroyed. If the nest is immediately removed
foraging wasps can begin to rebuild.
European wasps make a nest similar in appearance to paper
mache. These wasps can kill. Their appearance is distinctive
with yellow bands on a black body. They make their homes
in rockeries, roof voids and wall cavities.
Treatment to wasps’ nests should be undertaken after
dusk.
Sometimes wood decay is mistaken for termite damage. Wood
decay damage can vary from normal weathering of wooden fences
and landscaping timbers to severe deterioration and weakening
of the timbers due to fungal attack.
Timbers attacked by wood decay should be monitored and
replaced where possible.
Pre- purchase timber pest inspections report evidence of
wood decay as a significant timber pest.
|
