Pest Control

Pest control can come in many different forms and pests can cause numerous problems for the sufferer. Throughout the USA many animals can be considered as a pest control problem, requiring that a consumer rely on pest control products and pest control services. These can include ants, bed bugs, cockroaches, fleas, rats and mice and termites to name but a few.

There are various ways to treat each specific problem and a full investigation is required before any form of treatment can begin. This is why it is always advisable to obtain the services of a professional rather than using any home help remedies that are available on the market.

If you discover that you have a pest control problem within your home it is important to get a qualified and licensed pest controller to look at the situation. Many pest control companies are willing to provide the consumer with a free consultation to assess the issue that the consumer is faced with. They can be found in your local listings or online, and the Internet can serve as a valuable resource that will help the consumer discover which pest control services have the best service plans and prices. The first thing the pest controller will do is to complete a thorough inspection of the building and its surroundings.

Once the inspection is complete you will receive a written report with detailed specifications for an integrated pest control program. The cost of such an inspection report and quotation for the treatment recommendations may be up to several hundred dollars for an average size dwelling. It all depends on the property's style of construction and the ease of inspection access. This inspection and report is a vital first stage before any work can be carried out.

You may find that some pest control companies offer a "free quotation" but you need to be cautious as many only carry out a superficial inspection and then make up their costs within the treatment proposals. So do your homework first and find out if the company is reputable.

This professional pest control inspection and report could save you thousands of dollars in the long term. The specific areas of the inspection should include accessible timbers within the sub-floor, roof void, exterior and interior of the building and any other timber structures, fences and trees with a 50 meter radius of the buildings within the property boundary. Therefore any potential problems within these areas would be discovered and any work required could be carried out.

Ants are considered a serious nuisance pest and a homeowner may require the professional services of a pest control company to resolve issues created by an infestation of ants. They live in a permanent nest which, depending on the species, can be found either in the soil, timbers, under pavers, wall cavities or roof voids. Ants will travel considerable distances to find food for their colony. So it can be a real nuisance when large numbers infest the kitchen and BBQ areas.

Identifying the species of ant is vital to ensure the correct control program is used to eradicate your pest control problem. The most common ant is the White Footed House ant whose nest is usually found either outside, in wall cavities, in roof voids, in architraves and fireplaces.

The Odorous House ant has a disgusting smell and if crushed can smell like rancid butter. The Common Coastal Brown ant nests in wall cavities, garden beds and sub floor areas. The Bulldog ant is also commonly known as the Soldier or Jumper ant. They nest in gardens or bush and will bite if provoked. With so many different species of ant it is important to ask a professional to identify the particular ant which is causing your pest control problem.

The pest control program chosen depends on the species of ant you are dealing with. There is a permethrin dust which is used in wall cavities and roof voids. The recently developed ant baiting systems include an insect growth regulator in a sealed plastic dispenser which is then placed near a high activity area. Specialist granulated bait has also been brought onto the market which can be placed in external infested areas. Any treatment that is carried out should be covered by a three to six month written service warranty.

Bed Bugs are blood suckers and it is a problem that should be addressed by a professional pest control company. They are most commonly found in motels, hostels and boarding houses although they can also be found in buildings used to store second hand furniture or clothing. The bed bugs are transported with luggage, clothing and other articles but not on the person. Bed bugs can become a severe pest control problem.

The bed bug has five nymphal stages from the egg to its adulthood. The adults and nymphs leave their harborage area every two to three days to feed. They feed in the early morning hours for three to five minutes. Bed bugs can survive for long periods without a blood meal.

If you have been bitten the following morning you will see dots of blood in a line across the bed linen. The blood has a sickly sweet odor. You may also find dried blood around the bed head and flooring.

Adverse skin conditions can occur after a bed bug bite. The bed bug injects an anti-coagulant chemical into the blood stream which prevents the blood from clotting. The effect of the bite can be severe, especially to those with soft sensitive skin. Scratching the area can be hard to resist but if you do it can cause an infection. If you do have a problem then you should seek advice from your doctor or chemist and get the appropriate medication.

If you find that bed bugs are your pest control problem then a professional pest controller should be engaged to ensure the safe and effective control of the infestation. The pest controller will use specialized equipment with a variety of insecticidal formulations. The safer synthetic pyrethroid dust or spray should be used in certain locations. Also the entire area may require treatment using a fogging machine to ensure a satisfactory result and the total eradication of your pest control problem.

Borers can be a significant pest control problem for certain timbers; a professional pest control company can get an infestation of borers under control and prevent the damage that such pests produce. The Anobium Borer is particularly aggressive and attacks Baltic Pine timber flooring and antique furniture. In severe infestations of Baltic Pine flooring can cause the timbers to become totally useless. This can then require the replacement of the complete timbers and the use of another timber which won't be attacked. If a more moderate infestation is discovered then a regulated insecticide can be applied to the underside of the flooring over a three year period to cover the life cycle of the borer and so totally eradicating the problem.

If antique furniture becomes damaged from borer infestation then it is possible the effects may not be noticed for many years. Once infection has been found it is essential to fumigate the furniture in a Government approved fumigation chamber with methyl bromide gas. This gas penetrates the timber and kills all insect life within and then later breaks up into harmless molecules.

There are many different varieties of borer and they also attack under various circumstances. These can include the borers inhabiting living trees, those that can attack moist timbers and those that prefer dry seasoned wood.

The majority of damage done to timbers is caused during the larvae stage of the borer life cycle. The adult borer lays her eggs within the timber structure and as her eggs hatch they begin to feed on the starch content of the timber. They then bore their way through the grain of the timber creating a network of tunnels. Then when at the pulpate stage they exist in a large hole made within the timber until they reach their adult stage.

The size of the hole and the dust it leaves behind allows the pest controller to identify the borer and therefore implement the correct pest control program required to eradicate them.

Various State Governments have now enacted a Timber Marketing Act which prohibits the sale of timber if it has more than 25% sapwood content. It is the sapwood content of the timber that is susceptible to attack and damage from the Lyctus Borer, also known as the Powder Post Beetle. Although damage to the timber is not structurally significant if you purchase timbers with Lyctus Borer damage it should be returned and exchanged.

Cockroaches are known carriers of serious diseases including salmonella, dysentery and various stomach complaint organisms. Further, cockroaches breed at a terrifying rate and pest control services can help to ensure that they do not overtake one's home. Their eggs often enter domestic and commercial buildings in food and other packaging.

Cockroaches are nocturnal feeders choosing to breed and rest during the day in a dark warm place. They can be found in the roof voids, the cracks and crevices in the kitchen and bathroom, in wall cavities, electrical appliances and foodstuffs.

Sanitation and hygiene are important with regard to this pest control problem but even the cleanest places can become infected. This is due to minute deposits of grease, sugar and other food deposits being left in difficult to reach places such as drains or cracks and crevices in kitchen cupboards.

For the effective eradication of this pest control problem a synthetic pyrethroid dust is used inside roof voids and under floors. In dry dark areas the insecticide remains effective for long enough to break the cockroaches life cycle. There is also new gel bait available on the market which is highly attractive to cockroaches and keeps the problem under control for many months.

There are six different species of cockroach which cause a pest control problem in many domestic and commercial buildings. It is essential to identify the correct species to ensure an effective pest control program so a professional's advice should always be sought in such circumstances.

Fleas are a parasite that sucks on the blood of warm blooded animals, including humans. They pierce the skin and inject an anti-coagulant chemical into the bloodstream. A flea bite can cause severe irritation, infection and in some cases the transfer of other parasites, for example tapeworm. Since Fleas transmit diseases, it is important that a homeowner contact a professional pest control company as soon as they identify a problem with Fleas. Fleas often enter the building on cats and dogs and usually reside in carpeted areas, in the garden, the yard and under the building.

To ensure this pest control problem is kept in hand then carpets need to be thoroughly vacuumed, especially in low traffic areas including under the furniture. Then the main habitat areas should be treated with a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide which contains an insect growth regulator. This will then inhibit the development of the fleas during the egg and larvae stage of their life cycle.

The cost of this professional pest control service to remove fleas varies in price depending on the size of the property. They will use a safer, although more expensive, yet more effective flea control products. They should also offer a service warranty which will vary in length depending on the risk of reinfestation.

There are flea control products available in the market places which are cheaper than hiring a professional. Unfortunately many companies use cheaper solvent based pesticides which are much less effective. These products can also cause health problems for those with asthma or bronchial ailments.

To also try and prevent re-infestation the property owner is required to regularly vacuum the carpets and wash the dog or cat with a shampoo containing a flea control product. It is also advisable to restrict access for the dog or cat to internal and sub floor areas, especially in the summer months.

Rats and Mice can pose a serious pest control problem. There are two species of rats commonly found in domestic and commercial properties, the black rat and the brown rat. There is also the common house mouse which poses a potential problem. The identification of the species is required to formulate an effective pest control program.

Rats and Mice carry many health risks from their droppings and constant incontinence. Rats also often cause many electrical fires. This is due to their natural need to gnaw on plastic electrical junction boxes to cut back their constantly growing incisor teeth.

Rats and Mice will live in any area with a potential food and moisture source. This can include drains, sub floors, garbage refuse areas, kitchens and roof voids. They often become a pest control problem during winter as they come in from the cold. There is also a chance that excavation work disturbs the nesting location or the food source changes.

Professional knowledge of rats and mice is required to eradicate the problem. For example the rodents will not take bait if it has been touched by the human hand. Pest control options may include the use of sticky straps, mechanical traps or the use of the latest baits. Any bait used should be placed in an area which is secured from children and pets, for example the roof voids or a sealed sub floor.

In simple circumstances a handyman can seal any potential rodent entry points to effectively seal the building as a preventative measure from rats and mice entering. If the job however is more complicated then the pest controller can offer a list of specifications and a quotation for the work to be carried out.

If termites become your pest control problem then a professional should be called. There are two main methods which can be used to eradicate the problem, either a chemical soil barrier or termite bait.

A chemical soil barrier involves treating the soil at the base of the building with a registered termiticide chemical by following the instructions provided on the product label. The chemical then acts as a deterrent to the termites so that they don't travel through the soil to get to the timbers of the property above. This process has been found to be the most effective pest control treatment available.

The installation of a chemical soil barrier requires expert knowledge and specialized equipment. The pest control treatment then offers a complete and continuous barrier to protect the building from termites being able to enter and causing a possible infestation.

Special care and equipment can also be used to locate a subsidiary termite nest hidden within the building structure. This often occurs in wall cavities where there may be a regular moisture supply from a leaking shower, broken roof tiles or faulty guttering or plumbing.

Termite baits are used as a pest control measure when trying to eliminate a full termite colony. There are two main suppliers of termite monitoring and baiting systems, Sentricon and Exterra. Both products are insect growth regulators which affect the termites by stopping the molting process required for the termites to grow.

The circumstances of the pest control problem are a highly rating factor in the termite baits success. If circumstances are favorable it can take from several weeks to a few months to eradicate a colony but if factors are against you it could take years or fail altogether. This is where the use of a licensed pest controller is paramount as they have the experience to decide where the monitoring and baiting system should be placed for the maximum effect.

Monitoring of your pest control problem is essential. Having the treatment done once won't always guarantee that the problem will occur again. Therefore it is suggested that a regular competent inspection is carried out either monthly or at least every three to six months for the first twenty four months to ensure the pest control problem is kept under control.