Pest Control

Very protective of their nests, wasps will defend against invaders with painful stings.  The common bee sting, while harmless to most people, can be very  painful.

What’s the difference?

Though bees and European wasps are of a similar size and shape, you will easily be able to differentiate between the two by their colours.

European Wasps are bright yellow and black with bright yellow legs.  European wasps 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 (sometimes joining the stripes).  European wasps also have longer, thicker antennae than bees.

Bees display a dull shade of yellow or a golden brown colour.  Bees 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.  These nests are easily sighted due to the constant European wasp activity above the nest.  However the nest holes could be well hidden amongst vegetation.

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.

Cockroaches can spread germs, make allergies Cockroaches can wreak havoc on your home.  To win the war in cockroach control, here’s what you should know:

Entry: Cockroaches can enter your home in many different ways, from the outside through cracks and crevices, vents, sewer and drain pipes.  We even bring them in on products like grocery bags, boxes, purses and on our person!

Ideal environment: Your home is an ideal breeding ground most species of cockroaches.  With plenty of food, warmth, water and nesting sites, they can remain active all year round.

Reproduction: Cockroaches reproduce quickly.  For every one you see there can be many, many more hiding and multiplying behind your walls.

Evasiveness: Because cockroaches are nocturnal, if you’ve seen one, you probably haven’t seen them all.  The few cockroaches you see by day could mean they were likely forced out by overcrowding; a possible sign of severe infestation.

Allergies/Asthma: The dust created by cast-off cockroach skins, dead bodies and droppings can aggravate allergies, especially in children and sensitive individuals.

Do-it-yourself ineffectiveness: Cockroaches are better at hiding than you are at finding them, and their eggs are naturally protected from insecticides.  Without special equipment, materials and know-how, cockroach control can be a losing battle.

Flies carry more than 100 pathogens that can cause dangerous diseases in humans and animals.

More than 100 pathogens are associated with the house fly including: Salmonella,Staphylococcus, E. coli and Shigella.  These pathogens can cause disease in humans and animals, including: typhoid fever, cholera, bacillary dysentery, hepatitis, ophthalmia, polio, tuberculosis and infantile diarrhea.  Sanitation is critical to controlling these pests, but accurate identification is essential for successful fly control.

Here are some other things you should know about flies and fly control:

• Depending on the species, the life expectancy of a fly is eight days to two months, or in some cases, up to a year.
• Flies plague every part of the world except the polar ice caps.
• One pair of flies can produce more than 1 million offspring in as little as six to eight weeks.
• As many as 33 million microorganisms may flourish in a single fly’s gut, while a half-billion more swarm over its body and legs.
• Flies spread diseases readily because they move quickly from rotting, disease-laden garbage to exposed exposed human foods and utensils.
• Because they only have two wings, flies land often and therefore can deposit thousands of bacteria each time they land.
• Flies contaminate or destroy $10 billion worth of agricultural products.

For every fly seen, there are an estimated 19 more hidden from view.  This means humans don’t even see most of the flies present at an infestation.

Instincts: Rats are instinctively wary of rat control measures such as traps and bait, and colonise in attics, burrows, under concrete and porches, in wall voids and other hard to reach places.

Disease: Rats can harbour and transmit a number of serious diseases.  They can also introduce disease-carrying parasites such as fleas, lice and ticks into your home.

Breeding: 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 metre’s with no injury, tread water for 3 days, eat all sorts of food and survive an atomic bomb test.

 Found in areas of high humidity, silverfish eat through paper and other household items.

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.

It’s name comes from it’s silvery blue colour along with it’s fish-like appearance and movements.  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 environments – 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.

Call us today to schedule your appointment.