Silverfish Pest Control

Silverfish are small fast running scale covered insects that are primitively wingless and approximately 20 millimeters in length and a silver grey in appearance and typically can look like a fish hence their name.

They quiet often invade the home and are found in dark sheltered areas and can be usually found if left undisturbed in areas to damage paper, fabric and other materials that are in areas in storage rooms, ceilings, bookcases.

Life cycle of Silverfish

The female lays eggs in a small batches or singly and these usually hatch in approximately 2 to 8 weeks time.

When hatched they resemble a smaller version of the adult, they will in turn go through a number of moults before becoming sexually active from 3 to 24 months.  Silverfish can live up to 4 years.

Why Silverfish are considered Pests?

Silverfish are considered pests due to the damage that they can do while they are contained in roof cavities, walls, voids and virtually any place within and around the confines of a home.

They will feed on human food and have a preference for starchy articles.  They will attack old stored photographs and attacking the film that covers the photos.

If they have not an appetite for this type of food they will turn their attention to book bindings, stored clothing, backings of wallpaper, stamps or anything that is glue based.

Pest Control of Silverfish

pest control

One of the first things a pest controller should do is to thoroughly inspect the premises rather than tackle the problem head on without investigating this is a case where one size doesn’t fit all and each situation is different.

During the inspection the technician should move and open any stored items and look in the usual hiding places of the pest.

With any silverfish that has managed to make their home in wall cavities makes the pest work a little more challenging and complex.

With the number of treatments your pest controller has at his fingertips he should be armed with a number of treatments to deal with your particular problem depending on the infestation at the time.

The treatment could include surface sprays where residual will fall where the silverfish travels combined with a space sprays in the form of mists, fogs which will compliment the surface spray reaching areas when the surface spray didn’t go.

Finally a dry dust is used to control silverfish.  This is the dust is very fine and settles leaving a very fine layer leaving behind a good residual.

The dusting spray is suitable to be sprayed on books and any tax or work papers without damage.

All of these avenues are open to a professional pest control manager such as Bob at A1 Pest Control Canberra.  He is an expert with the treatments he uses and is available to take your call on 0407 065 413.

Here are 5 good reasons why you may want to deal with our firm:

•     You will receive knowledgeable information about your situation or pest management problem
•     No pushy sales persons forcing you into a treatment you don’t want
•     We only use the safest low or non-toxic treatments that are pet and child friendly
•     Your Termite Inspection will only be carried out with insured, accredited technicians.
•     We carry the latest thermal imaging camera and tracking tools, ensuring that you get the very best and most accurate
  inspection in the pest industry.

Email at Bob@a1pestcontrolcanberra.com.au for a free quote and any advice about silverfish or any other pest advice that you may need.

Carpenter Ant

Carpenter Ant Removal

Is it information on the carpenter ants removal that you are in dire need of? Upon discovery by home owners, carpenter ants are usually mistaken for termites.

Since these quite large ants (around 6-12mm in length) are like no other ant species, they are known to erect their nests in rotting and damp wood.

These ants have been a problem for many Canberra home owners, whether inside the home or in the garden. An infestation by carpenter ants is more than likely to affect those living in bushy areas.

You would be surprised at the variety of foods that the carpenter ant calls its’ diet, it can range from meat left in your kitchen, other insects and even sweet tasting food.

They are not often spotted, however you might be able to hear or see signs of their activities as they tend to feed at nighttime. The ants do not eat the wood they dig; those small piles of sawdust by any of your wood work are just waste from them building their galleries.

It is possible if the nest is large enough to hear strange noises coming from the nest.

 Carpenter Ant Removal Tips

A licensed pest controller is capable of taking care of your carpenter ant removal. How bad the infestation is, how large the colony has grown and where it is located will determine which method the pest controller will suggest how the removal will be approached.

Allowing the ants to take back to the colony an undetectable poison by way of a barrier insecticide outdoors, a dusting or an aerosol spray are treatments that may be used. Sometimes using a combination of these approaches is necessary.

Carpenter Ant Removal

The cracks and crevices that allowed the entry of the ants will need to be sealed and any rotting or damp wood will need to be removed, because it might have attracted the ants.

By sealing gaps that allowed the ants to get into your home, repairing pipe and tap leaks in a timely fashion making sure that any shrubbery is away from the walls of your home, since the dampness and the wood will attract the ants and draw them closer to your home are some preventive measures that you can take.

Do you have any confusion as to whether or not you have termites or carpenter ants? A professional will probably be required for identification and ridding of the insects.

It is imperative not to disturb the nest of any potential termites before the arrival of the pest control operator, because this might cause the termites to spread out and attack other areas of your home.

For further information or for you to schedule us for a prompt response, for a termite inspection or the removal of carpenter ants, please call us.

We can be reached by calling Bob at 0407 065 413 or email Bob@a1pestcontrolcanberra.com.au

There are 5 great reasons why you should use our firm:

1. You will never be forced into a treatment that you do not want
2. With a rock solid money-back policy, you will be guaranteed that your service will be delivered and that we will keep our promised. Our business has been built on this over the years an why we have very happy returning customers
3. The information that you will receive will be an educated response to your pest problem and situation
4. Only accredited, insured technicians will perform your termite inspection. By utilizing the latest technology like tracking tools and thermal imaging cameras, you can be sure that you are getting the most accurate and very best inspection that is possible
5. With an eye to your children, pets and the environment we use only the safest low or non-toxic treatments

For a friendly chat concerning your carpenter ant removal or other pest problems worrying you please call us today on 0407 065 413 or email Bob@a1pestcontrolcanberra.com.au for a free quote .

Pest Management for Commercial Premises

You will probably find it essential to have a pest management strategy, if you manage or own commercial property.For those that frequent the premises life can be made miserable, due to a variety of pests that can spread disease or cause damage to buildings.

The most common pests that you will need to deal with, if you’re responsible for making the arrangements for the pest control treatments of the property are:

•    Termites: Wood structures can have inflicted upon them a great deal of damage in a short period of time, by these widely known insects, the termite.

Regular inspections to detect the presence of termites and barrier treatments are recommended for many commercial properties.

 Pest Control Management

Even with barriers installed at the time of construction, inspections will still be needed and a refreshing of the chemical barrier will be required every two to three years.

•    Rodents: Capable of spreading deadly diseases, they are not just an unpleasant site for your buildings tenants.

Mice and rats will probably be attracted to the areas of food preparation, food storage or commercial rubbish bins outside to feed and nest.  Professional rodent control will be a necessity.

•    Cockroaches: The presence of cockroaches is not only disgusting, but leaves a bad impression. Their ability to spread disease and contaminate food has been well documented.

•    If you want more disease carrying pests, there are flies and mosquitos! Nearby stagnant water can provide a perfect breeding ground for mosquitos and the presence of rubbish or food will attract flies.

In addition to making the premises unpleasant for those that are there, both are known to have the ability to spread disease.

Pest Control

There are easy ways to control these pests which can include the use of fly or mosquito traps, but a severe problem may require you to take other means to help prevent these insects from taking over the area.

•    Spiders: if you have storage areas that aren’t regularly cleaned or accessed and your property is near bushland, it could become a necessity for the addition to your pest management routine, a spider control treatment.

Your pest management plan should also include procedures for building occupants that may help to minimize particular problems, such as the prompt removal and storage of waste, plus the arranging and scheduling the required treatments for the property.

To help you decide which pests are likely to be a problem, when and how often pest control treatments are necessary for your property, a professional pest control firm that performs commercial treatments should be able to guide you.

In order to arrange a consultation, on commercial pest management or for additional information, please contact Bob directly on 0407 065 413.

Here are 5 good reasons why you may want to deal with our firm:

•     You will receive knowledgeable information about your situation or pest management problem
•     No pushy sales persons forcing you into a treatment you don’t want
•     We only use the safest low or non-toxic treatments that are pet and child friendly
•     Your Termite Inspection will only be carried out with insured, accredited technicians.
•     We carry the latest thermal imaging camera and tracking tools, ensuring that you get the very best and most accurate
  inspection in the pest industry.

Your service is guaranteed with our company, with a rock solid, money-back policy if we don’t deliver or keep our promises. That’s what has built our business over the years, and why we keep getting repeat business from our happy clients.

Call us today on 0407 065 413 and speak to Bob for a friendly chat about your pest problem or email Bob@a1pestcontrolcanberra.com.au for a free quote.

Tick

Spotting ticks from time to time, for a Canberra resident can cause alarm about the possibility of their home or commercial property being invaded by a tick infestation is a real pest problem.

The dangers of a tick infestation are real, especially with your small children, family members that possibly could be sensitive or allergic to ticks and your pets, so concern is greatly justified.

Tick Infestation – Where are they found?

The paralysis tick, the most common in Canberra are found in bush land and on the South Coast NSW will make its home where it is moist or humid. The most likely areas to be affected by ticks would be places with greenery and large amounts of foliage.

The natural breeding grounds for ticks are areas that collect water, low-lying plants, greenery and long grass. The dangers of a tick infestation around your property are high, since most Canberra residents take pride of their green grassed areas and gardens or live close to the bushland.

The health hazards associated with ticks:

The dangers of a tick bite, no matter their size can be great. A small amount of a unique toxin is injected into the host when a tick bites a human or animal.

There are some people that can have a severe allergic reaction resulting in anaphylaxis, while other healthy adults will have no serious side effects.

There is however other people that might be at risk for tick-borne diseases.

Dealing with tick Infestation

It is a large undertaking to rid a property of ticks, in contrast it is relatively easy to deal with an occasional spotting of a tick.

The proper steps must be taken to eradicate ticks entirely from your property, you will continue with your problem, especially since most properties are perfect breeding grounds for ticks.

If you make your property less appealing than you can discourage them from making your property their home.

Tick Infestation Canberra

You can manage your tick problem to an extent, if you do the following: areas that are known to be damp and collect water be kept their driest, your lawn is maintained short and your plants are trimmed back as much as you can.

To help reduce your risk of being bitten while outdoors or gardening it is recommended to wear protective clothing. Some useful FAQ’s from Stephen L Doggett from Dept of Medical Entomology:

“How to I treat a tick bite?

Treatment is the same as that for mosquitoes; cold water and ice can be useful to relieve itching, although ice should not be applied directly to the skin.

A chemist would be a good source of various commercial preparations that you can use, including Eurax and Stingose.

In severe cases, you may opt to administer some oral antihistamines and, if symptoms persist, a physician should be consulted.

How do I prevent tick bites?

A variety of methods exist to reduce the possibility of tick bite and prevention is best achieved via some form of personal protection.

People who bush walk in tick infested areas need to use an insect repellent, particularly one containing the chemical DEET, and this should be applied regularly to clothing.

Wearing light coloured clothing is useful as ticks can be more easily spotted.  Bushland areas with high rates of tick infestation should be steered clear of at all costs.

The ticks that will call your property home, will only be managed and not defeated. Speaking with a professional pest control agent is greatly encouraged to deal with a tick infestation that will not go away.

Only a licensed pest controller is approved for the product to eliminate your ticks and our company is one of them, contact Bob on 0407 065 413, if you have a problem with ticks in your home.

Pest control canberra

There are five great reasons why you should use our company:

• You will never be forced into a treatment that you do not want
• With a rock solid money-back policy, you will be guaranteed that your service will be delivered and that we will keep our promised. Our business has been built on this over the years an why we have very happy returning customers
• The information that you will receive will be an educated response to your pest problem and situation
• Only accredited, insured technicians will perform your termite inspection. By utilizing the latest technology like tracking tools and thermal imaging cameras, you can be sure that you are getting the most accurate and very best inspection that is possible.
• With an eye to your children, pets and the environment we use only the safest low or non-toxic treatments

For a friendly chat concerning your pest problem please call Bob today on 0407 065 413 or for a free quote email Bob@a1pestcontrolcanberra.com.au.

White Ant Removal

White Ant

Is white ant removal information something that you are looking for? Canberra property owners are faced with a very real threat from white ants or as they are also known, termites.

Wood and paper products are the main diets of white ants causing tremendous damage over a given time to your home or property.

Without the help of a professional, the damage that white ants can cause is difficult to identify, that it is why with great urgency to contact a professional to remove white ants from your property.

Monitor your Home for Signs your property is infested

There is however some obvious signs property owners can watch to detect an infestation, even though the damage inflicted by white ants, without in-depth examination is almost impossible to find. Some of which are:

• If there is evidence of shed wings, in addition to flying winged white ants around your property.

• In order to help them travel from one area to another white ants develop wings.

• If on window sills or doorways made of wood, you discover mud tubes. These mud tubes are for the white ants to travel from area to area.

• The presence of white ant damage or carpenter ants can also be detected by finding saw dust or wood shavings around wooden door frames or window sills.

• In addition, wooden areas or window sills that are hollow-sounding or have soft wood can be indicative of white ant damage.

Keeping White Ants at bay

When an infestation has been identified and it is essential for its removal, there are some ways that the home owner can aid in minimizing white ant damage. These include:

• Your property must be free of any wood or paper waste.

• Building with natural termite-resistant timbers or using termite resistant varnish to treat exposed timbers.

• During the humid months proper ventilation must be maintained to keep your property dry and to taking care of any water build up and to repair any leaks.

• Regularly, in order to identify the signs of a termite infestation, have a professional inspection.

Removing white ants from your property

As with your own health, preventing a potential problem, such white ant removal can be better than the fix. The significant damage caused by the white ants is the reason for this.

Substantial repairs will be needed to your property, if structural damage has occurred, so to detect if you are the victim of an invasion, it makes sense to call in a professional.

A white ant colony can be detected without professional help, but in order to treat white ants with chemicals you must be a licensed individual.

For a licensed registered pest control company, that can use controlled chemicals to remove white ants and you need advice on how to deal with an infestation and receive more information without pressure to utilize our company, please call us today on
0407 065 413.

Commercial pest control

There are five great reasons why you should use our company:

• You will never be forced into a treatment that you do not want
• With a rock solid money-back policy, you will be guaranteed that your service will be delivered and that we will keep our promised. Our business has been built on this over the years an why we have very happy returning customers.
• The information that you will receive will be an educated response to your pest problem and situation
• Only accredited, insured technicians will perform your termite inspection. By utilizing the latest technology like tracking tools and thermal imaging cameras, you can be sure that you are getting the most accurate and very best inspection that is possible.
• With an eye to your children, pets and the environment we use only the safest low or non-toxic treatments

For a friendly chat concerning your termite problem call us today on 0407 065 413 or for a free quote send us a message.

Rat Control for Commercial Premises

Is rat control something that you need to talk to someone about? Rats are rodents, no matter if you own a suburban home or a commercial premises, it is not a space you are willing to share with vermin.

They have been responsible for millions of deaths for hundreds of years, since they are just disease carrying pests.

The variety of bacterium spread by these rodents have caused serious illnesses and death, from the Bubonic Plaque that was responsible for the deaths of millions, to the illness that killed Olympic rower Andy Holmes in 2010, leptospirosis.

Water contaminated by the urine of infected rats, can spread this disease to humans. Any person who gets water in their eyes or mouth while swimming or have open cuts or wounds are at a much higher risk.

You would think that in the modern era those ancient diseases would be a rare instance, however in Australia, 200 cases of Leptospirosis, according to the NSW Government Health Department fact sheet, are reported in Australia on a yearly basis, and sadly it is thought that many undiagnosed persons will go untreated.

 Rat Control Tips

If you, as many persons who have stored clothing, fabrics in cardboard boxes, in a shed, garage or storeroom will attest to is the fact that rats can cause quite a large amount of damage.

Rat Control for Commercial Premises

In a twist, they certainly have no qualms, in order to make their nests quite comfortable, in stealing some of your very own clothing for insulation.

Even if you’re commercial property does not have a canteen, food store or food storage area, rats will more than likely move into buildings that do have a food source nearby. Just remember that rats will always be looking for a new home, if their food source is eliminated.

There are a few basic rat control measures, that on your own you can take on, to lessen the degree of risk of you greeting you’re new friend for morning coffee:

1. That all food is sealed that is on the premises.
2. If possible, all bins should be sealed tightly.
3. Make sure that you securely seal any store materials useful to nest building, and rather than cardboard boxes or plastic bags, which are easily chewed through, you seal in strong plastic storage containers.
4. On a daily basis, remove regularly rubbish from inside the premises.

If you would like to discuss commercial rat control treatments, need assistance and you would like to discuss your actions to deal with any infestation, call us today, on no matter what type of property that you might own, residential or commercial and we service all of Canberra and surrounding areas, and would be happy to discuss rat control treatments or have a friendly chat about your rat control problems, call us on 0407 065 413 for a free quote.

 There are five great reasons why you should use our company:

• You will never be forced into a treatment that you do not want
• With a rock solid money-back policy, you will be guaranteed
  that your service will be delivered and that we will keep our promised. Our business has been built on this over the years an why we have very happy returning customers
• The information that you will receive will be an educated response to your pest problem and situation
•  Only accredited, insured technicians will perform your termite inspection. By utilizing the latest technology like tracking tools and thermal imaging cameras, you can be sure that you are getting the most accurate and very best inspection that is possible.

• With an eye to your children, pets and the environment we use only the safest low or non-toxic treatments

For a friendly chat concerning your pest problem call Bob on 0407 065 413 or for a free quote email Bob@a1pestcontrolcanberra.com.au

Steps for Termite Colony Control

Termites can be very destructive to your property in Canberra if you do not take termite colony control measures. If termites are a problem to you, or they are in your area and you want to protect your home with termite treatment, it is important to  ensure that the treatment method you choose is effective for control, as well as treating the existing problem.

A colony of termites can contain hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of termites that are capable of destroying an entire house in just a few months.

Their breeding and eating is continuous so while inspecting your home and treating it is important, controlling the colony will greatly reduce the risk of invasion.

Although chemical barriers are a good method of termite protection, not all chemical barriers are effective when it comes to colony control. There are a number of termite treatments which claim control benefits but it is very important to understand the differences.

Termite treatment and control strategy methods that are appropriate may also vary depending on the scale of the termite problem in your home, the location of the colony, and the species of termite.

Colony Control Strategies

One way of controlling termite colonies is by using termite baits. The termite baits are positioned near the colonies and this allows the termites to transport the poison to the colony killing a large number of termites in the colony.

Another effective termite colony control strategy is the use of chemical treatments around the home. Although use of baits is sometimes a less expensive method of control, it may take time to be effective.

In a case where the termites are an immediate threat, chemical barrier treatments which are effective in control may be much more appropriate.

A very popular choice with professional pest controllers when it comes to termite colony control is Termidor. This is because this product is one of the safest and the most effective products on the market.

Colony Control

Termidor is very effective because unlike many of its predecessors, this product is not a termite repellent. The problem with repellent products is that they rely on termites detecting the product and avoiding passing through it.

Repellents therefore are not likely to result in effective control.

Using non-repellents, on the other hand, makes it difficult for the termites to detect them. The termites therefore walk through it and carry the chemical substance back to the colony, killing a large number of termites and making it a more effective means of control.

If the termite treatment you choose isn’t effective when it comes to termite colony control, then your home may be subjected to repeated attempts by the termites to gain entry and establish a feeding ground.

It is important to involve professional pest controllers because if the termite treatment you choose isn’t effective when it comes to termite control, then your home may be frequently subjected to attempts by the termites to gain access and establish a feeding ground.

Remember that termite colony control is not a simple matter since termites are very industrious and they have a highly effective social structure and communication system, together with millions of years of evolution on their side.

Therefore any time you are in need of termite treatment and an effective termite colony control strategy, don’t hesitate to consult a Bob Waters 0407 065 413 your Canberra Pest Control Termite expert.

 Termite Baits – Stop Termite Entry

A common misconception among homeowners in Canberra is that most termite damage starts from the outside of a building, when in fact, it can start from under the slab of your house.

Even a slab that has been built to Australian Standard 2870 can crack enough to produce small openings enough for termites to enter and go undetected.

Before building a house, you should first of all install a barrier as termite baits to help prevent termites from entering your home. This is a very important and probably the largest investment you could make in your lifetime.

There are basically 2 main groups of barriers to choose from in the market today and it is very important that you select the best termite barrier method for you needs. These two main groups are;

Termite Baits – Physical Termite Barriers:

In this method, metal shields, stainless steel mesh or granite chip barriers can all be used to stop termites getting into a building or a house.

Termite shields such as caps and strip shields are installed on all buildings and substructures including isolated piers or posts and along walls to provide a continuous barrier.

Chemical termite barriers:

The chemicals that are used to kill termites are known as termiticides. These termiticides have differing modes of action, and there are several methods used to apply them.

For many new buildings, creation of a termiticide-treated layer of soil surrounding and under the building form an integrated barrier together with the physical methods described above.

This needs to be carefully done by a qualified pest control operator like A1 Pest Control Canberra call

Bob 0407 065 413 to discuss a time for your termite inspection either pre-purchase, current home or commercial property.

Why is a termite chemical barrier important?

It is notable that proactive precaution is the best form of defence by the termite baits against the attack of termites. It is a lot more expensive to repair the damages later than to properly protect yourself in the first place.

Chemical barrier option involves treating the soil around an entire structure to provide a zone that will kill any termites that enter the treated soil.

The chemical soil barrier on a treated zone can also affect or eliminate an entire termite colony, depending on the type of termiticide used.

Treating the open soil and garden areas involves a process called Trench, Treat and Backfill i.e digging up the soil down to the footings and treating the soil and backfilling.

2  Main Termite treatments for treating the soil under concrete and tiles:

• Drill & Inject
• Cutting and Re-capping

Drill and Inject:
This method involves drilling a number of holes every 150mm-200mm apart through the concrete or tiles in your house and injecting a quantity of termiticide in each hole.

The holes are then resealed but this method is not as effective as cutting and re-capping since the soil being treated is not visible.

Cutting and Re-Capping:
This method involves cutting the concrete along the perimeter of a structure and then treating the soil using the Trench, Treat and Backfill method.

The concrete is then re-capped using a new concrete or pavers to make it easier for other future treatments. If the soil is not of a good enough quality to hold the termiticide, soil replacement may be necessary.

Termite Inspections
When you after either a building inspection for when you are buying or selling homes, we will provide concise pest reports, termite reports and advise you on protection against Termites.

We do consultancy work for other timber inspection firms for problem jobs that have undertaken certified inspection reports that haven’t picked up problems because of lack of access.

Call Bob Waters 0407 065 413, for advice on Pest Control Canberra and surrounding areas as he is qualified, licensed and an expert on termite baits or other termite solutions you may need.