Cockroaches in Clean Houses

Cockroaches in Clean Houses Nobody wants roaches scattering around in their house roaming freely and contaminating their food and utensils; and the moment that cockroaches are spotted in kitchens or any other room often leads to impulsive cleaning and mopping.

Cleaning alone barely succeeds in complete eradication of these pesky pests from houses.

Need Cockroach Control ?

What is in houses that is inviting to cockroaches to invade homes? Why are cockroaches not deterred by cleaning?

The following could be the reasons roaches are invading your clean house!

MISSED CORNERS & HARD TO REACH AREAS

Cockroaches love to hide in corners, small crevices and areas that are hard to reach. When mopping floors there could be areas the mop just wont reach or get into, leaving these areas open to invite cockroaches into your home.

Areas of consideration such as behind the stove, or under the fridge should be cleaned on a regular basis as splatters of grease/oil or food spillage behind/beside the stove or under the fridge could be the reason cockroaches are entering your home.

OPEN FOOD PACKAGES IN THE PANTRY

Cockroaches in Clean Houses — Always store food items in air tight containers

When cleaning the kitchen remember the pantry. Open food items are a real attraction to cockroaches. Food should always be stored in air tight containers.

DARK AND WET AREAS

Cockroaches need water to survive and in their search for water end up in your home. Leaking water pipes, dripping taps or even standing water is a haven for cockroaches and they won’t be shy about taking up the opportunity. Other water resources that may be attracting cockroaches could be your pets water bowl, air conditioner and fridge condensation.

All species of cockroaches prefer to live in dark places, and if these places are damp the cockroach has found its resort! Areas in your home such as the basement, bathroom cabinet or the cupboard under the kitchen sink are wonderlands of everything nice for cockroaches.

COCKROACH DELICACIES

It is not just food items that cockroaches thrive on, they will munch on anything items laying around such as food debris, rubbish and anything else they can find laying around such as cardboard, books, leather, wallpaper paste, soap, grease, toothpaste, faeces and even human hair!

In saying this there could be an abundance of items which are luring cockroaches into your home.

An important thing to remember is that cockroaches can survive without food for up to 6 weeks!

UNKEPT GARDEN

When it comes to cockroaches the inside of your home may be spotless but if the garden outside is messy with overgrown grass and bushes then you should not be surprised when cockroaches venture indoors.

Cockroaches need 3 things to thrive, food, water and shelter. Overgrown grass and bushes provide dark shelter, water in flower ports, bird baths, pet bowls or gutters provide an easy water source and as we have previously mention cockroaches are not fussy eaters, so they will much on anything laying around such as mulch or leaves.

CRACKS AND CREVICES

Cracks or crevices in the wall are ideal hiding places for cockroaches as they also love a solid structure. Considering this, cockroaches will also take gaps between electrical installations as home as it provides them with shelter that is dark and damp.

All cracks and crevices should be filled!

Cockroaches are one of the most common pests found in homes & commercial properties, especially food handling premises. They are probably the most despised and widespread pests known.

Cockroaches are a high-risk pest to have in your home & business as they can cause diseases such as salmonella and gastroenteritis and their droppings have been linked to childhood asthma.

Apart from the health risks, cockroaches to many homeowners are disturbing their sight and the obnoxious odour they produce can contaminate nearby food and belongings.

Cockroaches breed rapidly and are resilient. A quick response is essential to prevent cockroaches in your home or spreading to your neighbours.

Further Reading

Cockroaches

We would love to find out more on how we may be able to help you.

click to call or get in contact with us via the contact form available at our website.

Mosquito Prevention Sydney

Need Help?

Mosquito Prevention in Sydney is important as mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance, they can transmit serious diseases.

To protect against mosquitoes and reduce the risk of diseases they transmit:

Wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outside
Apply mosquito repellent to all exposed skin;
Take special care during dawn and dusk where mosquitoes are at their peak;
Remove potential mosquito breeding sites from around the home
Screen windows and doors.

Take additional precautions when travelling overseas in areas with a high risk of serious mosquito-borne diseases.

Mosquitoes can transmit several serious diseases to humans.

In New South Wales, some types of mosquitoes can transmit viruses such as

Ross River Fever
Barmah Forest Virus
The virus that causes Murray Valley encephalitis.

When travelling overseas to countries that have a high risk of mosquito -borne diseases additional care should be taken by using repellents and other general protective measures to avoid mosquito bites.

Risk factors from mosquito bites in overseas countries can include

What you can do to protect your family this season from Mosquito bites in Sydney

Choose the right repellent for Mosquito Prevention sydney, new south wales

A topical insect repellent that contains diethyltoluamide (DEET), picaridin or one that contains oil of lemon eucalyptus, will provide the longest lasting protection.

Repellents that contain plant extracts such as citronella or tea tree oil, need to be applied more frequently to protect against bites.

When it comes to repellents, just dabbing it on here and there is not enough to stop the bites.

For the most effective protection insect repellent should be applied as a thin covering on all exposed areas of skin.

Brighten up your summer

Mosquitoes appear to like dark colours, especially dark blue. If you are planning on going outside choose pale colours to wear. They won’t stop mosquitoes from biting you, but it may reduce the mosquito’s attraction to you.

Peak Time – dusk and dawn

Mosquitoes tend to look for blood throughout the night but during the hours between dusk and dawn is when you really need to be vigilant in protecting your family.

Fill pot plant saucers with sand

Fill the saucers of your pot plants with sand. This method traps moisture but prevents water from sloshing around that mosquitoes could otherwise breed in.

Turn on a fan

Circulating air inside the house may assist in hiding you from mosquitoes. The moving air disrupts their flight and disperses the Co2 that we exhale.

Fun Fact: Mosquitoes rely on Carbon Dioxide that we exhale to find someone to bite!

Blue lights Traps – Do not work for mosquitoes

Light traps that electrocute bugs when they fly into them, do not work on mosquitoes. The reason for this is that mosquitoes are not attracted to light, so they will choose to stay away,

Smartphone apps, Really?

You have probably seen apps in the app store or google play store that claim to repel mosquitoes with high frequency sounds. There is ZERO scientific evidence that sounds will protect you from mosquito bites!

Smelly feet & cheese

In recent times scientists have discovered that some mosquito species are attracted to smelly cheese such as limburger cheese. The cheeses smell is produced by bacteria, like that which can be found between your toes, hence the weird link between feet & cheese. Choosing to wear closed in shoes rather than thongs may result in less bacterial odours being emitted, reducing

Mosquito Attractants

Some people have an increased likeliness to be bitten by mosquitoes than others. Some of these reasons are:

Drinking Beer could lead to bites

Studies have shown that drinking beer could increase your attraction to mosquitoes.

High Cholesterol levels attract mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are attracted to cholesterol hence not only lowering your cholesterol levels for health reasons, it can reduce also reduce the mosquito’s attraction to you

Taking steroids attract mosquitoes

Steroids usage whether they are being used to build muscle or for medical reasons there is a downside in the fact that steroids also attract mosquitoes. However, for people who need to take medically prescribed steroids for their health, one other down side the side effects that can come from this type of medication is an attraction to mosquitoes.

Carbon Dioxide attracts mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can detect carbon dioxide from a 50 meters away. Adults exhale more carbon monoxide than children which is a reason that adults are usually more of a target for mosquitoes. Pregnant women are also at a higher risk of being bitten by mosquitoes as their co2 levels increase due to the pregnancy.

Where do Mosquitoes breed?

Where do Mosquitoes Breed?

Need Help?

Is your backyard prone to mosquitoes during the warmer weather?

Are you constantly looking for solutions to protect yourself, your children and pets from mosquito bites?

Have you ever said, I don’t know where these Mosquito bites are coming from?

If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, then you should keep reading!

No one would knowingly plan to create a mosquito haven in their backyards however if you have ANY still/standing water in your hard then it is almost certain that mosquitoes are breeding there.

To allow mosquitoes to continue to breed around your home is a bad idea. Firstly, they can really make your outdoor time miserable but most importantly they are known for spreading serious life-threatening diseases.

What Diseases are spread by Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are responsible for the spread and transmission of:

Zika Virus
West Nile Virus
Ross River Virus
Malaria
Yellow Fever
Dengue Fever
Encephalitis

What do Mosquitoes look like?

Mosquitoes have a pair of scaled wings with a pair of halteres. They have slender bodies with long legs. Their size can often vary depending on the species, however mosquitoes are usually no bigger than 15 mm in length and weigh less than 2.5 mg.

These thin-bodied flies are also capable of delivering painful and itchy bites that can have you running indoors.

How do you limit mosquito breeding grounds around your home?

Pay attention to the following areas when eliminating potential breeding grounds

Garbage cans
House gutters
Buckets
Pool covers
Toys
Coolers
Flower pots
Other containers where rain water has collected.

These containers should be Emptied so mosquitoes don’t have the opportunity to breed in the standing water.

Remove the following items from around your yard that may collect water:

Old tyres
Drums
Bottles
Cans
Pots and pans
Broken appliances
Anything else that could collect water

Other Considerations

Pet bowls should be emptied & changed a few times a week
Replace the water in any bird baths weekly
Cover vehicles and boats with tarps to prevent water accumulation
Swimming pools should be kept in good condition
Empty kids blow up swimming pools when not in use

It is important to remember that by paying close attention to possible breeding areas around your home can decrease the number of mosquitoes you may encounter.

Remember that even if you do limit the breeding zones in your yards this does not guarantee you will be safe from mosquito bites. It is essential that you take additional care when heading outdoors. – More on this subject will follow in the next post.

Preventing the spread of mosquitoes is much more effective than trying to manage them.

Spring Termite Swarmers Sydney

Found Flying Ants or Termites?

With Spring just a few days away generally speaking most people would be envisioning warmer days & the flowers that are due to bloom.

In the pest control industry spring means the start of our peak season when insects are coming out of hibernation and their winter hiding spots.

Additionally, the biggest pest threat to Australian homes during Spring is termites!

Termites are an insect that have survived millions of years, they are social in their behaviour and they live in colonies that are usually located in the ground or in wood.

Furthermore, termites cause billions of dollars in property damage each year and not to mention often home owners insurance does not cover termite attacks.

As a matter of fact, termites typically remain out of site damage can go unnoticed for years which is why it is essential for homeowners to understand the social structure of a termite colony.

With this in mind home owners should realise that in spring when the temperature rises the young male and female swarmers leave their nests in large groups in search of a site to set up home.

The female releases an odour known as a mating pheromone to entice male termites. When a male finds a female they break off their wings that symbolises that they are a couple. The most compelling evidence of this is when customers call informing us they have located discarded wings in areas around their house.

The newly joined couple need to seek out a location to start their nest, where they will become the king and queen of the new colony.

What do Termite Swarmers Look Like?

Termite alates or swarmers can look like flying ants. There is a simple way to determine if the flying ants you are seeing are termites or flying ants, and this is simply by how many body sections there are.

As can be seen in the image below – Termite alates have 2 body sections while standard flying ants have 3.

Termite Swarmer

Differences in appearance and behaviour between ants and termites:

Termites have a straight waist, ants have a pinched waist.
Ants have bent antennae, termites have straight antennae,
Termites wings are the same length, ants have wings of different length.

NOTE:

Flying ants do not shed their wings.
In the event that you have seen flying ants or have found discarded wings, you may have identified termites in your property.

Pest Control Today highly recommends that you should be conducting annual termite inspections.

In the hope that you can prevent a termite invasion ask yourself Is it time for a termite inspection?

Further Reading

Termites

Termite Barriers

Pre Construction Termite Treatments

Termite Treatments

Termite Inspections

Pre Construction Termite Protection Sydney

Each property, building and location is different, a customised management solution should be designed to suit your specific needs.

We would love to find out more on how we may be able to help you.

Click to call or contact with us via the contact form available at our website.

Aged Care Facility Pest Control Services Sydney

Aged Care Living Pest Control Services Sydney

Need Help?

Aged care facilities are one of the key communities that can face issues with pests.

Pests are a major source of discomfort for people living in aged care.

What Pests can be found in aged care living?

Pests which can be found in the corner of rooms or kitchens of aged care living are:

What is the importance of pest control ?

Aged care residents are often over the age of 55 and their living quarters are often for people who need assistance.

For this reason there is a need to focus on their living standards.

When aged care living spaces are contaminated by pests, they can cause not only concern but also fatal, life-threatening diseases.

Active pest infestations become serious concerns for owners, managers and residents.

This is where Pest Control Today can help!

Why is pest control important in aged care living spaces?

Retirement and assisted living properties are often subject to unannounced visits by the Department of Health.

We promise professional and effective pest removal and eradication with proven strategies.

We will ensure your retirement home or assisted living community has zero complaints in the pest department.

Assisted living communities have various elements that a commercial pest control service provider must look out for.

The main focus being on the health and security of the people staying in these communities.

Why Choose Pest Control Today?

Pest Control Today have dedicated, experienced technicians who have years of experience in providing pest control services throughout Sydney.

Our main aim is to contribute in building a better community.

We only use the most advanced technologies to locate and eradicate pests in aged care centres.

Our technicians have the proper knowledge regarding how to go about these sensitive living areas.

With us, you’ll have all the information and procedures needed to keep your aged care facility safe from pests.

Pest services

Need Cockroach Control ?

MISSED CORNERS & HARD TO REACH AREAS

OPEN FOOD PACKAGES IN THE PANTRY

DARK AND WET AREAS

COCKROACH DELICACIES

UNKEPT GARDEN

CRACKS AND CREVICES

Mosquito Prevention Sydney

Need Help?

What you can do to protect your family this season from Mosquito bites in Sydney

Choose the right repellent for Mosquito Prevention sydney, new south wales

Brighten up your summer

Peak Time – dusk and dawn

Fill pot plant saucers with sand

Turn on a fan

Blue lights Traps – Do not work for mosquitoes

Smartphone apps, Really?

Smelly feet & cheese

Mosquito Attractants

Drinking Beer could lead to bites

High Cholesterol levels attract mosquitoes

Taking steroids attract mosquitoes

Carbon Dioxide attracts mosquitoes

Where do Mosquitoes Breed?

Need Help?

What Diseases are spread by Mosquitoes?

What do Mosquitoes look like?

How do you limit mosquito breeding grounds around your home?

These containers should be Emptied so mosquitoes don’t have the opportunity to breed in the standing water.

Found Flying Ants or Termites?

What do Termite Swarmers Look Like?

Differences in appearance and behaviour between ants and termites:

Aged Care Living Pest Control Services Sydney

Need Help?

What Pests can be found in aged care living?

What is the importance of pest control ?

Why is pest control important in aged care living spaces?

Why Choose Pest Control Today?

Further Reading

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