Monthly Archives: June 2018

How Do I know if I have Termites?

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Pests are never a good thing. But termites are especially problematic. They can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Not only that but termites are not always obvious. Like any pest infestation, it takes time to grow. By the time you see the signs, your home may have suffered some real damage.

Why Are Termites Such a Problem?

Termites are a huge threat to your home. They chew through wood, and that weakens the entire structure. Termites begin eating away at your house the moment they settle in. If you miss the early warning signs, you may not catch the problem in time. If you don’t, you will need more than termite management: You’ll also need to repair the termite damage. Take the initiative before you’re stuck with expensive repairs.

5 Major Signs that You Have Termites

Your home is a big investment, and it’s where you make your life. Locks on the doors won’t keep termites from eating your home out from under you, but there are plenty of ways you can keep your house safe. However, you need to know how to spot the signs of termites before you begin pursuing treatments. Here are 5 signs that you may have a termite infestation:

1. Termite Wings

There are certain times of the year when winged termites travel in swarms. This is normal in the summer months, especially after heavy rains. During this time, you might notice termites around your yard or even in your house. That doesn’t mean you have an infestation! Termites will drop their wings when they find a place they decide is ideal to nest. So, if you’re seeing a lot of flying termites you are probably close to a nest. If, however, you’re noticing a lot of termite wings laying around, it’s time to call a licensed/accredited pest control service.

2. Strange Clicking Sounds in Your Walls

Certain types of male termites make tapping noises when they sense a threat or disturbing sound vibrations. So, if you’re hearing a lot of disembodied clicking coming from your walls, you may have termites. Of course, there could always be other causes. If you suspect you have a problem, or your hearing strange noises in your walls, consult an expert before taking any action.

3. Windows and Doors Working Improperly

Termites feast on the wood in your home. As they do so, it causes the overall integrity of the structure to break down. This means your house is going to shift. You will notice that windows and doors don’t work the same as they used to. Windows may become difficult to open, while doors will not close tightly. This is a sign of a serious infestation that compromises your home. Timber will swell, become hollow and soft and plaster board walls will bubble.

4. Brittle Wood, Tunnels in Wood, and Sawdust

Termites literally chew up your home, so it’s no surprise that compromised and damaged wood is a sign of termite infestation. If you’re noticing this in your home, it is beyond time to call in an exterminator.

At first, this evidence will be hidden in parts of your home you don’t see all the time. Look in closets, cabinets, and other dark and unused areas of your home. Subteranean termites start from the ground and work their way up soft floor boards, skirting boards, architraves. These are generally first indicators.

What To Do if I Suspect Termites

First off, don’t panic. Termites may be tricky, but there are plenty of ways to rid your home of them. The absolute best thing you can do is call in a professional. They can determine what kind of termites are in your structure, or if you have a different pest infestation all together.

From there, the problem can be treated and the damage repaired. After that, consider having regular treatments done to prevent the termites from coming back.

The bottom line is this: your home is the most expensive investment you will likely ever make. It is worth it to invest in quality pest control services to protect that investment. If you don’t, you may be looking at expensive repairs. Consult with a quality pest control service today to ensure a better tomorrow!

Neighbourhood Pest Control is Melbourne’s best pest control service. We service domestic and commercial buildings in Melbourne as well as Geelong. Visit our website or call us to get a free quote today.

How Can I Be Sure the Pest is Gone for Good!

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Whether you own a home or rent, you’ll likely deal with pests in your living space at one point or another. Small animals, insects, and even fungi can become troublesome if they take up residence in your home. There are so many ways to deal with different types of pests, but how do you know if they worked? How do you know if you even need them in the first place, for that matter?

Below are three of the biggest signs that you’re dealing with an infestation in your home, and also how to know when your treatments have worked and the infestation has moved on.

3 Sure Signs that You Have a Pest

There are many different types of pests, and they all present different signs that they’re around and present different problems. Pests come into your home for many reasons. But, at times: they think your house is a nice place to live too! Leaky pipes can draw rats under your house for the water, exposed raw wood can attract termites, and any unsealed holes and cracks become an invitation for insects of all kinds.

Here’s how to know when you’re dealing with an infestation:

1. Noises in the Walls or Ceiling

Small animals such as rats, mice, possums and birds will make scratching noises when they move around. These types of animals tend to get in the spaces between walls, underneath the house, and in attic crawl spaces. You are more likely to hear their noises at night, and you may hear them fighting/chewing in addition to the scratching.

2. Unexplained Odour

If you’ve been cleaning your house like crazy, trying to get rid of a foul odor, then you might have pests. Small animals and insects nest where you can’t see them at first. They leave droppings, rotting food, eggs, and all sorts of stuff in your walls. As these things build up, it will create an odor you can’t get rid of no matter how hard you try. The only answer is to get rid of the pests. Once they are gone, the smell they left behind will be able to dissipate over time.

3. Insect Residue

Insects can nest/infest in your walls for a long time before you realize they’re there. You can look for evidence of infestation long before the roaches are crawling out of the walls. Insects tend to leave behind a residue. Droppings, tiny little body parts they’ve lost, and even the occasional bug that died while foraging outside your walls. If you only see this every now and then, may only have a light infestation. If you consistently see evidence of bugs, then you’ve likely got a problem.

How to Know When the Pest is Gone

Now that you know the signs of having pests, it is easier to explain how to know for sure when they’re gone. You see, it’s not always easy to get rid of an infestation. Especially when you’re dealing with insects. If even a few are left alive, they will continue to rapidly repopulate until you are completely swarmed again.

So, it’s imperative that the initial pest problem is solved-fixed-gone. Here’s how to know if you’ve accomplished this:

Rats, Mice, Possums

The first thing you will notice is that the noises are gone. Your house will also begin to smell better. Monitoring with lockable baited stations will allow you to keep on top of the pest problem ongoing, providing piece of mind. You can also leave out a few baited traps. If you catch anything, you’ll know you still have some work to do. If you only catch a couple of babies, you are likely in the clear. A baby would not be out looking for food on its own if any adult pests were still alive.

Insects

With insects, there is never any one-hundred percent guarantee that they’re gone. In these situations, the best defence really is a good offense. Take measures to prevent insects from spreading, and create an inhospitable environment for them. Seal up all cracks and holes in your home, use covered garbage cans, and clean up any food messes immediately. Also, make sure you use your dishwasher nightly and clean it out regularly. House keeping and hygiene improvements inside and out can have an enormous impact.

While you may not be able to know for certain that the bugs are completely gone, you will know when you are winning the fight against infestation. You will see less bug residue, and you can always do the dark test. Turn out the lights in a room with dirty dishes in it. Wait an hour and flip the switch. If you still have a problem, you’ll see them scurrying away.

Your Best Bet is to Call a Professional

Pest control is not as simple as it looks, and it often requires intricate inspections/applications. Your best bet is to call a professional to handle any infestation. You might even consider having regular treatments to prevent infestation. Pests can cause a lot of damage to your home, and they also carry diseases. So, it’s definitely worth working with a professional to keep them at bay.

Neighbourhood Pest Control is Melbourne’s best pest control service. We service domestic and commercial buildings in Melbourne as well as Geelong. Visit our website or call us to get a free quote today.