Common household pests

German Cockroaches

German Cockroaches are the world's most successful and prolific cockroaches because of their fast breeding habits and ability to adapt to almost any environment. They will eat anything that humans do and will also eat wallpaper, curtains, leather and any other organic material. They are always found indoors and tend to stay where food and water are freely available, such as kitchens, pantries and bathrooms, etc.

The adults are 10-15mm long and are tan to medium brown coloured with 2 parallel dark stripes on the head section. The nymphs are very small, dark and beetle-like when they first emerge from the capsule and within a few weeks grow more slender and lighter coloured. Signs of infestation include cast skins, dark regurgitation and faecal droppings in corners and door hinges of cupboards. Their droppings are tiny and resemble fly-specks. They are often confused with the Brown-banded Cockroach which is lighter in colour, lives outdoors or indoors in dry environments and can fly.

Ants

The Black House Ant and White Footed House Ant are small black ants 2.5-3mm long. They nest in rockeries, near or under paths, in wall cavities and in potted plants. They eat a variety of foods and are attracted to sweet substances. They give an annoying bite but do not sting.

Meat Ants are 12-14mm long and are red/purple and black. They like sunny areas and often build large gravelly mounds. They feed mainly on animal material, and honeydew. They can bite but do not sting and rarely enter houses.

Sugar or Carpenter Ants are 5-15mm long, they have orange/brown bodies, black abdomens with an orange/brown band and black heads. They nest in decayed moist wood or sometimes in the soil. They feed on dead and live insects, honeydew, household waste and are attracted by sweet food. These ants do not sting and rarely enter houses.

Bulldog or Bull Ants have red bodies and black abdomens. They are about 20mm long. These ants can cause a painful sting. They rarely enter houses and are usually found in the garden or bushland areas.

Argentine Ants Are about 3mm long and are light to dark brown in colour. They do not have the formic acid smell ants usually have and they are very active in their movements

Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs can not only be a problem at home, but also in places with numerous beds and visitors such as Hotels, Motels, Back-Packer Lodges, Caravan Parks and Boarding Schools.

Bed-bugs are usually found in unhygienic conditions inside bedrooms as their name implies. They hide under the buttons and in creases of old mattresses, behind wallpaper, skirting boards and cracks in the floor. They are active during the night and have been known to drop from ceilings onto beds. They can survive without a blood feed for up to a year. Bites can cause welts to appear on the skin with three rows of puncture marks being characteristic. Itchiness and irritation affect some people more than others. A nuisance pest, generally harmless.

Pest Control of Bed Bugs

They are usually introduced in old mattresses or furniture, so inspect any recently brought into the premises. Inspect other harbourage areas. Blankets and sheets should be stripped from the bed and washed in hot soapy water. Mattresses should either be discarded or left outside in the sun.

Bees & Wasps

You will easily be able to differentiate between the two by their colours. European Wasps (shown on the right) are bright yellow and black with bright yellow legs. They are predominantly black on their front half, with bright yellow markings and predominantly bright yellow on their back half with black stripes and black dots between the stripes, down each side of the abdomen; Bees (shown on the left) display a dull shade of yellow or a golden brown colour. They also have black stripes around their body, however bees do not have the black dot characteristics of the European wasp. Unlike the European wasp that has yellow legs, bees have black legs. This is probably the easiest way to differentiate between the two.

European Wasps can nest in various cavities, walls, ceilings and trees to name a few. However the most likely place for a European wasp nest to occur is in the ground. Bees often nest in tree or wall cavities and can nest in compost bins and cavities such as old suitcases. Bees, like European wasps, are not aggressive and will go about their day to day duties unless they feel threatened or are under attack. Try to avoid the flight path of swarming bees and wasps. Both bees and wasps are best left to their own devices

Bees are most active during the warmer months of the year, from, early Spring to late Summer. They invade houses in order to establish new colonies and to shelter. Scout bees will fly around a building, looking for entry points. Usually these are holes in the mortar of brick walls, in ventilation holes (weep holes) and under tiles on roofs etc. They do not fly far from a previous colony and it is not unusual to see a swarm of bees settle onto a house in just a few seconds.

This is why bee jobs are considered to be an emergency as many people are allergic to their stings. They are not naturally aggressive except when defending an established hive. People normally get stung by bees when they step on, lean on or pick them off their clothing. Walking within their flight path can agitate them, as will fast and jerky movements near the hive.

Pest Control of Bees

The best time of the day is either early morning or late afternoon. This is when they remain inactive inside the colony. Dusting in these times does not flush them out and it is rarely necessary to retreat. Treatment during sunny hours will not always destroy the entire colony, although the majority of the colony will die.

WARNING: Treating Bees yourself can be dangerous.

Pest Control of Wasps

European wasps are attracted to sweet food and meat. This is why they are commonly a nuisance at outdoor eating venues and barbeques.
Do not aggravate European Wasps. If a European wasp is aggravated it may sting. Unlike the bee, a European wasp can sting multiple times. If left undisturbed the European wasp is not aggressive to human or other animals. If a nest is disturbed the wasps release a chemical which triggers the wasps to defend the nest.

WARNING: Treating Wasps yourself can be dangerous.

Birds & Bird Lice/Mites

Bird lice, or more correctly, mites are commonly associated with the Pigeon, Sparrow and Starling. They are a blood-sucking parasite of these pest birds and become a problem with people when they are unable to get food, once they are separated from their host. The three most common mites are the Starling mite, the Tropical Fowl mite and the Red Poultry mite. They are 0.5mm to 1mm in length and a greyish/yellow colour except after a feed when they turn red.

The pest birds build nests typically in eaves, bringing with them the mites. When they leave their nests permanently, get trapped in the wall cavities or die, the mites leave the nest in search of a new host. Their route of travel is usually down wall cavities and through ventilators into bedrooms. They attack humans leaving an itchy rash when can become a secondary infection after scratching. They can only survive two to three weeks without a feed from their usual host.

Pest Control of Birds

The methods that may be used include bird wire, netting, pop riveting tin or aluminium plats, Bird-ex strips (plastic strips of one metre long and two centimetres wide with triangular points, usually glued to landing surfaces).

Bird mites are controlled by dusting the nesting and roof void with Permethrin insecticidal dust. Wall cavities can also be dusted through the vents inside bedrooms. No warranty is ever given on bird mite jobs unless proofing is also done by our company to stop more pest birds carrying mites entering the structure. The client must be made aware that it may take two or three days for all mites to contact the insecticide, even after proofing.

Fleas

The most common being the cat flea and the dog flea. They are 1-6mm in length and black or brown in colour. The cat flea is far the more common species. People often refer to "grass fleas" or "sand fleas." It is incorrect to assume that these fleas just live in the grass or sand. They are usually cat fleas that their pet has deposited on the ground. All fleas are blood-sucking parasites and they need a living host in order to survive.

Fleas are wingless insects with very powerful hind legs. When they compress these legs and release them, they are catapulted into the air, by as much as 20cms up & 35cm horizontally-150 times their own length!

A female flea can lay up to 25 eggs in a day and over 800 in a lifetime. The eggs hatch between 5 & 14 days becoming larvae. These are blind & leg-less and feed upon organic matter such as dried blood from the host. After 2 to 3 weeks the larvae are fully grown, spin a silk cocoon and become pupae. When a stimulus in the form of vibration or heat is sensed, the pupa emerges as an adult. This can take from 2 or 3 weeks normally, or over a year to happen. An adult flea can survive for over 4 months without a blood feed.

Rats & Mice (Rodents)

Rats and mice are, next to man, the most successful animals on earth in terms of abundance and diversity. Man has unwittingly help their spread throughout the word by exploration and his own success. However, they have in some circumstances become his worst enemy.

They are so prodigious that within a year a rat can have between thirty and eighty offspring, depending on the species -one pair could generate fifteen thousand rats in their life span. Rats can squeeze through a hole the size of a 20 cent piece, fall 20 metres with no injury, tread water for 3 days, eat all sorts of food and survive an atomic bomb test.

The Roof Rat

(Rattus rattus) or black rat/ship rat is the rat responsible for the Black Plague and the death of millions of people from its flea. Its abilty to climb spread it throughout the world by climbing ships hawsers. It likes to live in trees and roofs of buildings.

The Norway Rat

(Rattus norvegicus) or brown/sewer rat likes to burrow (unlike the roof rat) and prefers to live near water and damp places. It has a thicker body, shorter tail and smaller ears than the roof rat.

The House Mouse

(Mus domesticus) Mice are a much bigger economic problem than rats in Australia, with population densities reaching 32,500 per hectare in plagues. They need much less free water than rats, with a shorter gestation period and at forty-two days, are at nearly half the breeding maturity of the Roof rat.

Mice are distinguished from young rats by smaller heads and feet, larger ears in proportion, and much longer tail.

Pest Control of Rodents

Baits -Since the 1940's warfarin, a chronic anti-coagulant has replaced thallium, strychnine and arsenic as a poisonous bait. Since the last ten or so years, rodents have become largely resistant to warfarin. Strains of rats can survive a dose that is many times stronger only ten years ago. Some strains of mice seem largely unaffected by it at all.

A major advance took place in the 70's with the discovery of brodifacoum and bromadiolone, though resistance is starting to take place. It is worth noting that the roof rat prefers moist foods (use liquid baits) and norway rats prefer dry foods (use cereal baits)

Prevention : Good hygiene and limiting supply of food and water is the best for preventing rodent infestations.

Rodents are repelled by the smell of mint, camphor and pint tar. Cats and dogs (especially terrriers) are helpful for hunting small numbers of rodents in the early breeding stages.

Silverfish

Silverfish are a small, wingless insect measuring normally 20mm or less in length. They have three tails or cerci and their body is covered in tiny silver scales.

Silverfish are commonly found outdoors under bark, rocks, leaf and plant compost, in soil and animal burrows. They also can live inside homes in dark, humid, crevice-ridden enviroments – especially bathrooms (take away these elements and it will not be able to survive). They feed on fungi and plant materials. In homes they like to feed on starch rich substances such as paper, book bindings, wallpaper glue and sometimes photographs.

Pest Control of Silverfish

Keep areas un-cluttered and clean. This will limit the possible number of crevices and breeding areas. Keeping an area cold will also deter Silverfish. Freezing can kill silverfish but will not necessarily kill their eggs.

Spiders

Female spiders may reproduce up to 300 spiderlings per hatching 2 or three times per year, depending on their species. The spiderlings (baby spiders) are then distributed en masse on gusts of wind on parachutes of web, or crawl to their new home. When we treat your home, we pay attention to all the potential spider harbourage areas including webs.

First Aid Treatment of Bites

A pressure bandage is used for Funnel Web bites, applied between the bite and the torso. This is used to slow down the movement of the venom. A plastic bag filled with water and a little ice is best for Red-back and other spider bites because it is a much slower acting venom.

Caution! Do not apply a pressure bandage to Red back spider bites as this will only increase the pain.

SPIDER INFORMATION SHEET

Biology
All spiders belong to the class have eight legs and two body sections; the cephalothorax and abdomen. The cephalothorax is a combination of a head and thorax found in insects. Palps (sensory organs) and fangs are at the front of the body.

Sexual Identification
The easiest features to identify spiders of the same species is the difference in body size. The male is usually much smaller, with slender body and longer legs and palps. The males do not usually spin webs except for mating purposes.

Dangerous Spiders
There are nine Australian Spiders whose venom ranges from extremely toxic to resulting in painful bites. Common sense and awareness will safeguard most people from the danger of attack. These spiders are as listed below:

• SYDNEY FUNNELWEB (MALE)
  The most dangerous spider in the world is the male Sydney Funnel Web. It has killed three children in under two hours. This spider is quickly identified by a glossy black body with long spinnerets. An aggressive spider which rears up when challenged. His venom is seven times as toxic as the female, yet is dangerous only to primates. Secondary identification is a pointed spur on each second leg and reddish black undersides.
• SYDNEY FUNNELWEB (FEMALE)
  Similar in appearance with a stockier body than the male. Lives in web-lined retreats in moist, cool locations. The female although less toxic than the male, has caused fatalities, mainly amongst the young, old and sick population.
• RED-BACK
  This spider has a pea-shaped abdomen with a characteristic red or orange stripe. The male is much smaller and harmless. Makes untidy webs around rubbish and pot plants. Poison is much slower acting than the Funnel Web and bites causes severe pain with localised sweating. Around 300 spider bites are recorded every year from the Red-Back with seven fatalities attributed.
• MOUSE SPIDER
  Females often mistaken for Funnelwebs. Large glossy black bodied spider, with the male having a red forepart of the cephalothorax. Female lives in holes with double doors in the ground. Has blunted spinnerets and strong jaws. Toxic and painful bite.
• WHITE TAILED SPIDER
  A small dark brown spider with a characteristic white spot on the end of the abdomen. Usually encountered inside houses sheltering from the weather or introduced on clothing brought in from the clothes line. Bite is not usually painful, though may become very painful at a later stage. Ulcers may develop to a stage where necrosis of the skin occurs.
• BLACK HOUSE SPIDER
  Both sexes are dark brown to grey/black with body markings. Builds webs in dark corners of windows, verandahs, sheds or fences. Bite very painful with severe vomiting and nausea resulting. No fatalities recorded.
• WOLF SPIDER
  Mottled grey and brown body with Union Jack appearance on cephalothorax. Carries young on its back. Makes web-lined holes in the ground. Moves rapidly when disturbed. Bite may be toxic and painful for a short while. Ulcers from bite suspected of developing necrosis of skin.
• BROWN TRAPDOOR
  Brown to dark brown covered with fine hairs. Leggy spider with male having "Boxing glove" palps. Does not usually leave lid over hole. Painful bite.
• HUNTSMAN
  Grey to brown spider with large very leggy body. Lives under bark during day and emerges during night. Walks sideways on occasion. Non-toxic and rarely bites. Is known to hide under sun-visors in cars.

Pest Control of Spiders

Spiders that we contact with the spray will definitely die after a short period of time, ranging from just a few hours up to a couple of weeks.

It is not our aim, nor is it possible to eliminate all spiders on your property. Spiders play an important role in our food chain and it is much more environmentally responsible to concentrate on keeping spiders from entering your home.
No pesticidal residue that is available on the market today will kill spiders when they crawl over it. What will occur though, is a reduction of the spider population in your area.

WE CANNOT ELIMINATE ALL SPIDERS ON YOUR PROPERTY OR GUARANTEE THAT WEBS WILL NOT RE-APPEAR AFTER TREATMENT.
What we can guarantee is that all potential harbourage areas will be treated and spiders will die after being contacted with the spray.

Q. How can I reduce spider populations safely around my home?
A. Be aware that spiders may become more active after spraying and check boots and clothes on the washing line before wearing.

A good idea after about 2 weeks after having your home treated is to vacuum away webs with a vacuum cleaner. This is a safe way of cleaning up spiderlings which may not have been contacted by the spray

Possums

Possums are nocturnal marsupials, native to Australia's bush land. Although there are many species living in the wild, some species of possums dwell in domestic backyards and local parks. When they wander into roofs and attics, however, they become a noisy and troublesome pest.

Features

• Possums naturally live in cavities of trees. They shelter there during the day, and emerge to feed & explore at night.
• Possums enter roof voids when their natural nesting sites have been removed, mainly through broken tiles, damaged eaves & displaced ridge capping.
• When in the roof they make noises at night, urinate & defecate on ceiling plaster, causing stains and odours. Chimneys are also favoured sheltering places.

Habits

Possums naturally live in cavities of trees. They shelter there during the day, and emerge to feed & explore at night. Possums enter roof voids when their natural nesting sites have been removed, mainly through broken tiles, damaged eaves & displaced ridge capping.

When in the roof they make noises at night, urinate & defecate on ceiling plaster, causing stains and odours. Chimneys are also favoured sheltering places.
Solution

Possums are protected animals and thus we are not permitted to harm or kill them. The following procedures are followed when dealing with possums:

• We send technicians to investigate the noise in the roof, which may well be caused by roof rats, birds or other animals.
• Once it is established that possums are dwelling in the roof, our technicians set cages for the animal.
• Cages are checked on a daily basis until the possum is caught. Our technicians then release the possum back into the wild, taking special care not to harm or stress the animal in the process.
• Once it has been established that there are no more possums in the roof, our technicians seal all the entry points.

We would be delighted to offer you any of the above services, or assist with identifying and exterminating any other pests not listed on our website.

Please feel free to contact us regarding your requirements, and we can tailor a specific treatment schedule for your business.