Pest services

Tag: disease

Mosquito Prevention Sydney

Mosquito Prevention Sydney

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:

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

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.

Further Reading:

Mosquitoes in Australia 

Where do Mosquitoes Breed

Pest Control Today SydneyPest Control Today can assist you with your mosquito pest control needs. For free advice on mosquito management click to call or contact us via our website.

 

Pest Control Today

Where do Mosquitoes breed?

Where do Mosquitoes breed?
Mosquito Pest Control Sydney

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.

Further Reading:

Mosquitoes in Australia 

Pest Control Today SydneyPest Control Today can assist you with your mosquito pest control needs. For free advice on mosquito management click to call or contact us via our website

 

Pest Control Today

How Do Rats & Mice Survive Winter?

How Do Rats & Mice Survive Winter?

How Do Rats & Mice Survive Winter?

Rats & Mice in Sydney

Need Rodent Pest Control ?

 

When temperatures get low and food gets scarce, rats must find a way to keep up the same lifestyle they enjoy in the Spring and Summer.

Unlike other pests that hibernate during the winter months. As the weather cools and the normal food source for the rats & mice become limited, they enter your home, looking for warmth and food.

Pest Control Today have noticed a change in the behaviour and breeding of rats and mice where they are becoming more of an issue all year round. This has mainly pinned to the increase in construction in and around Sydney.

Each year, when winter arrives, we know the calls about rat infestations will increase.

So…. How do they do it?

Storing Food Resources

 

Rats are not able to fatten themselves up, like other mammals, but they so prepare themselves for winter in other ways.

In Autumn or even late summer, rats and mice become more aggressive in their pursuit of food. Instead of eating opportunistically, they start seeking out extra food in which we believe they may store any extra food they find.

Rats will eat anything, including garbage, so they have a great range. Rats will drag their food findings back to an area they can access easily and leave it there for later.

A favoured food item for a rat may include :

  • Bird seed
  • Pet food
  • Paper
  • Nuts
  • Compost waste
  • Fabrics

Mice like to collect fallen bird seed, so if you have a bird feeder, it’s a good idea not to keep it near the house.

Mice & Rat Burrows

 

Mice & rats need to stay warm, but luckily for them, they are excellent diggers.

They will seek out a structure like a rock, wall, or fence, and dig a burrow beneath or against it.

We recommend looking for small holes against Air Conditioning boxes and electrical units near your home & along fences.

Rodent burrows are usually shallow and small, with one entrance and exit. They also don’t spend all their time in their burrows, they prefer to venture out to seek food or to upgrade their shelter.

Rats and mice would prefer to use your house for shelter rather than burrowing. If they can find a way into your home, they will use it every time.

Be on the lookout for ways rats could enter your house, such as by eating through insulation or by running along utility lines.

Rat & Mice Nests

 

Nesting for rats and mice combines both their food storage and their ability to burrow. Rat nests are very similar to bird nests, but dirtier, disorganised, and on the ground. Rats will drag whatever they can find to a secluded place and bunch it all together.

The location of the nest is more important for rats than the material. They will seek out warm, dark places where they won’t be disturbed by humans or other predators.

Their ideal location would also include areas that are most where they can gain easy access to water.

The secret to prevent rats from nesting in or around your home is to deprive them of stuff they like.

Did you know…

 

Mice can sneak into cars to stay warm during the winter?

Or that…

Mice can leap up to four feet vertically?

Entrance Points

 

The best way to ensure you keep mice and rats out of your home is to look for any possible entries, no matter how small & seal up these entrance points. Ensure you maintain good cleaning habits, storage and organisation of stored goods.

Mice & rats will do almost anything to get out of the cold, which means you should be vigilant in keeping them out.

Further Reading

Rodents

Mice & Rat Control Sydney

Mice & Rat Droppings

Pest Control Today SydneyIf you end up with a rat or mice infestation in your home this winter–don’t panic!

Click to call the professionals at Pest Control Today on 0416 070 587 or contact with us via the contact form available at our website.

 

Pest Control Today

Rat & Mice Droppings Sydney

What is the difference between rat and mice droppings?

What is the difference between rat and mice droppings?

What is the difference between rat and mice droppings?

 

Need Help?

 

What is the difference between rat and mice droppings?

What is the difference between rat and mice droppings?

What is the difference between rat and mice droppings?

 

As the image below shows rat droppings are different from mice droppings.

 

What is the difference between rat and mice droppings?
Rat and Mice droppings

Mice Droppings

 

Mice constantly deposit faecal matter in the form of pellets. It is common for house mice to deposit 70 to 150 pellets per day!

Their droppings are brown or black in colour and resemble the appearance of a seed or a small grain of rice.

Their droppings are are commonly tapered at at least one end but can be round.

Mice droppings are almost always found scattered in areas where they explore. It is for this reason that any area where food is prepared and crumbs are likely to be a hotbed for mice droppings.

Many people do not know when their homes are invaded by these pests but one sign that always indicate this is when you see animal faeces around your house.

What does mouse droppings look like? 

 

Size: Typically 6 mm long

Shape: Small with 1 or both ends tapered (pointed)

Colour: Brown or black

Rat Droppings

 

Rats deposit faecal matter at a much higher rate than other pests. A rat can leave 25000 droppings a year! This is due to the fact that rats leave droppings as they move.

It is unusual to find rat droppings in clusters, instead they tend to be dispersed randomly. 

A rat’s droppings are dark in colour and soft when fresh, after a few days the colour will fade and the dropping will harden.

Generally the droppings can range from 9 mm -14 mm in length and are relatively  thick.

The shape of the stool depends on what species the rat is, but commonly rat droppings are long and spindle-shaped.

Visually, rat droppings are often compared to a raisin.

What does rat droppings look like?

 

There are different kinds of rats but they can easily be identified by looking for these things:

Norway Rat:

 

  • Size: Approx 19 mm in length
  • Shape: larger and rectangular with blunt ends
  • Commonly found in small clusters of 20 or less

Roof Rat:

 

  • Size: Approx 12 mm in length
  • Shape: Large and curved sausage like shaped pellets with tapered ends
  • Commonly found scattered around

What is the difference between rat and mice droppings?

What is the difference between rat and mice droppings?

What is the difference between rat and mice droppings?

If you have found droppings and would like us to Identify them, click to email your photos or contact us on our form via this website.

 

What is the difference between rat and mice droppings?

Rat & Mice control in Sydney

Rat and Mice control in Sydney

 

Found a rat or mouse in your house?

 

 

Rat and Mice Pest Control Sydney  – Facts, Identification & Control

Scientific Name: Order Rodentia

What Is a Rodent?

A rodent is a term that is used to group nuisance pests such as rats and mice which can contaminate food, damage property and spread disease.

The rodents that most often come into conflict with people both in residential and commercial properties are:

Rats

By instinct are wary of things that are new to their environment, which can include rat control measures such as traps and bait.

They tend to live in roof cavities, under the house, inside wall voids, external burrows, under concrete and porches and in other hard-to-reach places.

Disease

Rats can harbour and transmit several serious diseases. They can also introduce disease-carrying parasites such as fleas and ticks into your home.

Mice

Invade your home seeking food, water and warmth and each mouse can contaminate much more food than it eats.

Further Reading

What Do Rodents Look Like?

Rodents are warm-blooded mammals that can be found throughout the world. They have oversized front teeth for gnawing which are adapted for chewing.

Rodents chew on a variety of items available to them and cause great damage in and around homes.

Where Do Rodents Live?

Rodents thrive across the world in almost any habitat with access to food and water. Because of their small size, they can be difficult to keep out of a home. Rats and mice only require a small hole to gain access to your home or business

What Damage Can Rodents do?

Rats

  • Cause damage to wiring
  • Can chew through floor joists and walls
  • Cause damage to insulation
  • Because rats burrow they can undermine hill sides & retaining walls

Mice

  • Unsanitary
  • Multiply quickly
  • Cause significant damage to your home
  • Contaminate food and other materials
  • Chewing mouth parts
  • Implicated in causing house fires

Are Rodents Cause for Concern?

 

Rodents & Disease

In addition to being tough to control, rodents can carry diseases which can transfer to food with waste, fur, and saliva, as previously mentioned mice can contaminate about 10 times the amount of food they eat.

Rats & mice are also hosts for fleas, which can spread diseases such as Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus.

This illness mostly affects those with weakened immune systems and may result in headaches, fever, and meningitis. It can also cause complications during pregnancy.

What diseases can be transmitted by rodents?

 

There are several diseases which can be transmitted via rodents such as:

  • Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
  • Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
  • Lassa Fever
  • Leptospirosis
  • Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM)
  • Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever
  • Plague
  • Rat-Bite Fever
  • Salmonellosis
  • South American Arenaviruses
  • Tularemia

Fortunately, many of these diseases that are mentioned above do not occur here in Australia but since overseas travel is so easy & many of our citizens do travel overseas where these diseases can be a problem.

Diseases Spread by Droppings

 

When it comes to droppings it is important that you remove them as soon as possible using gloves and discard of any materials used to collect, seal the droppings in a zip lock bag and dispose of immediately as there is a risk that diseases can be spread when dust in your home is contaminated by a rodent’s urine or droppings.

We all know dust flies and there is a risk that urine or faecal contaminated dust can become air borne throughout your house.

The diseases that are of concern when it comes to rodent droppings are:

  • Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
  • Leptospirosis
  • Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis
  • Rat-Bite Fever
  • Salmonellosis
  • Tularemia

We strongly advice that if you come across a pest rat or mouse that you do not physically hand it as they are equipped with large teeth and can transmit a variety of bacteria, viruses and diseases through their saliva, faeces and urine.

If you find a rodent within your home or business, it is best to contact a pest management professional for removal and identification. The presence of one rodent within a home or business could signal an infestation.

Life Cycle of Rats & Mice

 

Rodents tend to be rapid breeders. Some species breed year-round, and populations are maintained through constant reproduction.

A single mouse can deliver 8 litters a year and each litter can contain between 4-7 pups per litter, this accounts to an increase of 32-56 pups per year per female mouse!

A single rat can deliver 4-7 litters a year and each litter can contain between 8-12 pups per litter, this accounts to an increase of 32-84 pups per year per female rat!

Seeing these figures, you can clearly see that a mouse or rat infestation can become from bad to worse very quickly.

Do rats & mice hibernate?

 

Unlike most animal’s rats and mice do not hibernate during the winter months and will actively seek warmth and quickly begin reproducing.

Rats and mice usually more of an issue during the winter months, as the weather cools and the normal food source for the rats & mice become limited.

They enter your home, looking for warmth and food.

However, in saying this, we have noticed a change in the behaviour and breeding of rats and mice. Rats & mice seem to be more of an issue all year round.

This has mainly pinned to the increase in construction in and around Sydney.

What Can I Do to Prevent Rodent Infestations?

 

Prevention methods should be implemented to maintain a rodent-free home. Rodents reproduce rapidly, and small populations become full-blown infestations in very little time.

Food storage

  • Keep any possible food sources away from rodents.
  • Seal garbage  & goods such as grains and cereals in metal or glass containers to prevent contamination.
  • Store Fruits and vegetables properly
  • Waste in sinks or on counters can invite rodents

Cardboard

Cardboard objects prove attractive to rodents, as they tend to chew them up for use in their nests.

Seal entrance points

Due to the fat that rodents are able to squeeze their bodies into small holes. Close all holes to prevent entry and re-entry of rodents.

Contact a pest control professional for assistance.

Rodents are some of the most adaptable creatures on the planet and can be extremely difficult to exterminate.

Damage

 

Rat & mice infestations cause considerable damage to infested buildings and agriculture.

Disease

 

Rodents are carriers of many diseases and are a health hazard to humans.

Reproduction

 

Rodent populations grow quickly and steadily.

To protect your home, garden and health from existing rodent infestations, professional, customised solutions are often necessary.

Problems with Do it yourself

Homeowners may seek DIY treatment solutions to their rodent problems. Many of the suggestions online are not capable of addressing full-blown rodent infestations.

Further Reading:

List of Rodents in Australia

Rats

House Mouse

Mouse Plagues in Australia

 

Contact a Professional

Pest Control Today SydneyIt is recommended that anyone experiencing a rodent infestation contact a pest control professional to arrange for a consultation.

If you have an issue with rats or mice in Sydney click to call Pest Control Today or get in contact with us via the contact form available at our website.

 

Rat and Mice Pest Control Sydney

Filter by category

Recent posts

Archives