Is your Home in Northern Beaches Infested With Termites?

Repairing an old refrigerator, carpet or bathtub is one thing and repairing a home that's infested with termites is simply another thing. If your home is infested with termites, it's the attack of living organisms, which simply cannot be repaired. These pests will continue to infest your house slowly disrupting your well-being and lifestyle.

The problem of termite infestation is thus not a simple home improvement project; it is a war. The experience of the home owners all over Sydney and Australia shows that no home, old or new, is safe from these pests. These pest problems are very common in Northern beaches, Sydney and cost the home owners billions of dollars every year for treating this problem. Without taking the assistance of professionals who are experts in termite inspection and treatment in Northern Beaches, you may have very little chance of driving the termites out and saving integrity of the house. 

Signs of termite infestation may include seeing the winged termite in your home or noting their mud tunnels around flooring and foundation walls. If you find these signs, its essential that you get in touch with a professional pest exterminator in Northern Beaches as fast as you can. The sooner you correct the termite problem, the better would it be for you. The longer you take to delay the treatment, the more damage will the termites do.

However, if you do not see any winged termite in your house or if you do not find any kind of structural damage, this won't mean that you do not have termites in your house. When colony swarms, winged termites can be in air for some minutes and it is likely that you will not see them. Termites even eat wood from inside out, making their actions detectable only by professional termite inspectors. Make sure you hire a professional termite inspection team every year to see whether your property is being damaged by termites or not.

Termite inspection is always essential before starting a treatment. Actually, professional will be able to know the extent of termite infestation and the best way of attacking the termite problem. After all, termite inspection is basically a great barometer that reveals the professionalism of a termite professional.

The professional you hire for termite inspection must be able to give you a detail and a written estimate after completing the estimate. The professional should be courteous enough to help you feel comfortable allowing him or her come to your house and taking care of the infestation. After the inspection is complete ask a lot of questions. This is going to help you understand the situation a lot more better, including why termite treatment is important, how termite treatment works and getting an idea about the professional.

Every Property in Sydney is at Great Risk of Termite Attack

Research developed by CSIRO rates Sydney as the second highest risk area for termite attack in Australia, second to tropical regions in far North. This actually means that most of the properties in Sydney is at great risk of termite attack. Hundreds of species of termites are found in Australia. But it is mainly the three kinds of termite species that are more commonly found-subterranean termites, dampwood termites and drywood termites. 

The subterranean termites usually live in the mounds on ground, on trees, in nests or in grounds itself. They can even have sub nests to a food source through the underground tunnels or over the structures under protection of the mud tubes. Most of the economic termite problems are caused due to the subterranean termites. 

The dampwood termites generally make their nests and galleries in the damp and rotten wood. Although they are not the main pests, their attacks can damp wood in a home. Decking timbers, garden timbers, fences and sometimes subfloor areas usually with his moisture readings need to be regularly inspected for finding these pests. 

The drywood termites basically make their nest as well as their galleries in dry and sound wood. They do not need any ground contact and get their mositure from wood itself. They are mainly limited to humid areas, north of Tropic of Capricorn. They live in several small independent nests are are able to destroy small pieces and furniture of joinery and structural timbers. There aren't many drywood species that are regarded as a major pest problem except these West Indian drywood termites. This is a species that are very much destructive in nature. It has occurred in New South Wales and Queensland to a large extent. They have also been found in Northern Beaches recently. 

However,the species, which causes the most amount of damage to the homes in Northern Beaches are the subterranean termites. These species invade buildings from a complicated network of tunnels underground, frequently radiating some distance from main nest colony. Mound building species and also some aborial termites are even included in this group. 

If you ever think that your house is infested with termites or you find signs of termites attack, hurry up and get in touch with a company that offers termite inspection in Northern Beaches. You will find a number of companies that offer termite inspection. Leave the skilled work to those professionals and let them help you with termite control. After all, termite inspection is necessary to all the home maintenance programs. It is recommended that termite inspections be carried out once in every year and more often in the high risk zones.

Common Pests And Where Are They Usually Found?

A pest is a plant or animal that has a detrimental effect on human beings, their living conditions as well as their foods. Pests generally include animals that:

• Bite people. For instance, bed bugs. This pest is quite difficult and costly to control. The bites may cause great irritation to people and become infected when scratched.
  
• Attack and consume cereal crops and vegetables for instance grasshoppers and caterpillars
  
  
• Carry disease causing parasites and micro-organisms, for instance mosquitoes
  
  
• Attack and eat the station and farm animals. For instance foxes kill lambs, poultry and other species of native wildlife.
  
  
• Damage the stored food. For instance, mice and rats can eat grain in silos, biscuits or rice in homes and shops and contaminate the food with their urine and faeces.
   
• Damage clothing. For example, silverfish eats hole in the garments.
  
  
• Damage buildings. For instance, termites cause significant damage to timber in the buildings. 

There are a number of pests that are harmful to human beings. In this blog, let us discuss about the common pests and their living and breeding places.  

Flies- Rubbish, dirty benches and tables, food scraps, under eaves, open leach drains, open septic tanks, animal faeces and lawn clippings are the common places where flies live and breed. 

Cockroaches-Food scraps, rubbish, drains, dirty tables and benches, behind the fridges and stoves, kitchen and bathroom cupboards, leach drains, septic tanks and under the floors of old houses are the favorite places of cockroach.

Mosquitoes-You can often find mosquitoes in places like dark and damp places, car tins and tyres, leach drains/septic tanks, protected corners of the effluent ponds, water storage tanks and natural water bodies.

Fleas-This pest like to live in sandy areas. They require blood for breeding. They will bite human beings if they find no animals around. A lot of fleas are brought into houses by people’s clothes. They are even transported in bedding. You can generally find fleas on animals such as dogs and cars. So, it’s important to keep these animals out of house if you want to reduce the likelihood of infestation of these pests in your house. 

Mice and rats-Exposed food, rubbish, wall holes, kitchen cupboards and storage places are the common places where rats and mice live. They are even found in insulation, pipes, in ceilings, under the buildings and in the tress as well as gardens. 

Bed bugs-These pests are generally transported from one place to another on or in a person’s luggage. They hide in the beddings. They bite a person in bed during night and consume their blood for living.  Their bites may be quite itchy and when scratched can become infected. 

It is very essential to control these pests. Pest control is actually the action that is taken to keep the pest numbers down to a level where risk to people, environment and food is minimized. Many companies offer Integrated Pest Management in North Shore. Contact one of them for your pest control job. 

What Is Meant by Integrated Pest Management?

Integrated Pest Management or IPM as it is popular called is a long term, preventative, low toxicity means to control pests. The approach to IPM relies on common sense practices. The program makes use of current, inclusive information on life cycles of the pests and their interaction with environment. This information in combination with the pest control procedures is used for managing pest damage by economical means and with least possible hazard to the property, people and the environment.

Though IPM was initially developed for agricultural industry, a number of libraries, museums and archives are finding the principles of Integrated Pest Management relevant to protection of their holdings. In fact nowadays the IPM approach can be applied to both the non-agricultural and agricultural settings like garden, workplace and home. It takes advantage of all the apt pest management options including the sensible use of the pesticides.

There are many advantages of IPM program over the traditional pest management program. Traditional pest management is as the repeated usage of chemicals without giving importance to the understanding of the species or the number of pests that are present. The advantages of Integrated Pest Management are:

1.Decreased usage of chemical application, which

• reduces the risks associated with the health of the people who are present in the premise where the chemical is applied 
• reduces the risk of deterioration and disfigurement of the holdings 
• can result in financial savings
  

2.Environmental improvements made to different facilities for implementing the IPM program. This enhances the long-term stability of holdings over protection against the pests.

3.Solution to the long-term pest related problems where chemical products haven’t worked.

IPM isn’t a single method of pest control but a series of pest management decisions, evaluations and controls. The companies that provide pest management in North Shore follow a four-tiered approach. The steps are: setting action thresholds, monitoring and identifying pests, prevention and control. 

Principles of Australian Integrated Pest Management System

The Australian Integrated Pest Management system revolves around six basic components. 

Control and not eradication

According to Integrated Pest Management, wiping out the entire pest population is not possible. The attempt can rather be unsafe and expensive. The IPM program thus gives emphasis to control and not on eradication. They first work to set up acceptable pest levels known as action thresholds and then use means of control when those levels of thresholds are crossed.

Prevention

Choosing things that are best for local growing conditions as well as maintaining the healthy crops is the first thing that’s done. Cultural techniques and plant quarantine like crop sanitation is the next thing. Beneficial bacteria and fungi are added to potting media of the horticulture crops that are vulnerable to the root diseases, reducing the requirement for fungicides greatly. 

Monitoring

Regular observation is very important. It may be in the form of inspection as well as identification. Visual inspection is used for monitoring pest levels and identification is essential for treating them. IMP also gives importance to record-keeping.
 

Mechanical controls

When pest infestation reaches an unacceptable level, mechanical methods are used as the first option. These methods include traps, barriers, hand-picking, vacuuming as well as tillage. All these methods disrupt their breeding. 

Biological controls

Natural biological methods and materials generally offer control with acceptable environmental impact. The primary approach is to promote the beneficial insects which parasitize or eat target pests.

Responsible use of synthetic pesticides 

Synthetic pesticides are only used when needed and only a certain times. There are many pesticides which are obtained from naturally occurring substances or plants. The active component in those pesticides is altered to offer increased stability or biological activity. Matching the technique of application to the pest, crop and pesticide is important. Low volume of spray minimizes the overall use of pesticide.
 

Historically, the main emphasis of IMP was on the agricultural insect pests but nowadays the program of Integrated Pest Management in North Shore are extensively being used for encompassing weeds, diseases as well as the other pests, which interfere with the management objectives for the sites like commercial and residential structures, turf and lawn areas, community gardens, home etc.

Some Tips to Control and Eliminate Cockroaches

Previously cockroaches used to be found in older homes and apartments. But this unhealthy creature has spread their wings into luxury hotel kitchens, new homes and almost everywhere. There are modern methods as well as traditional ones to control and get rid of them.

Keep your home as clean as possible. Cleanliness is detrimental for the growth of the cockroaches.
 

If you see cockroaches don’t panic. As a first step of defense you need to cut the water and food supply for those creepy creatures.
 

Dining table is the place where we eat. If you do not clean the table then it will attract the cockroaches. Clean the dining table top neat and clean. Same formula applies for the pantry in the office. The staffs of offices are also advised to keep their desks clean without keeping any food particles.

Before going to the bed check make sure there are no soiled dishes left on the sink or on the dining table. Cover the foods if not in use. If you do not have the time for washing the plates, put soapy water in the sink and keep the plate in that.
 

Boric powder is poisonous for cockroaches. This has been the successful method for getting rid of cockroaches. Mix boric powder with flour pellets, spread them over the floor.

Cockroach repellents come in pump or spray. The solution in the repellent can kill the cockroaches instantly. This spray is toxic in nature and can cause hazards to children.
 

However, I would always advise you to hire a company that offers professional pest control in Northern Beaches. Look for someone offering Integrated Pest Management services. These services generally don’t kill the pests but applies techniques that will control cockroach infestation in home ultimately helping you get rid of them.

How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally Without Using Toxic Sprays?

There are about 12,000 species of ants found all over the world. Most commonly found in and around homes, they are one of the most annoying pests. Usually these species are wingless. However, the winged forms exist at the time of colony reproduction or swarming. They are natural predators of several insect pests like fly larvae and flea, termites and caterpillars. But there are times when it becomes necessary to get rid of them especially when they enter homes in look out for food.

Here are some suggestions, which you should follow to get rid of ants naturally without using toxic sprays.

Like all other pests, ants too need water and food to survive. So, the first thing you should do to get rid of them is eliminate their basic necessities. If you do this, you will find that the number of ants to your home has reduced to a great number. To do this, you need to store the organic wastes and your food in sealed containers. Wipe down the countertops and tables regularly with a vinegar solution or mild bleach. You must also ensure to keep your kitchen neat and clean always. Don’t also forget to empty the dust bin every day.

Spot the cracks that are around the foundation of the home and use caulk to seal those points. This will prevent their entrance from outside. Places where electrical wires and pipes enter the house, spread boric acid to keep them out. The best way of keeping the ants from entering indoors is to locate their mound and destroy their colony.

Apply substances and scents which ants don’t prefer. How about using cinnamon, peppermint oil, vinegar, black pepper, whole cloves or bay leaves? They are being used largely by homeowners and companies that offer integrated pest management in North Shore. 

3 Effective Cockroach Trapping Methods

If you hate the sight of the roaches and want to get rid of them from your house-all you need to do is set a trap. It is a great alternative to bug spray. You can even save a lot of your money by doing this.

We are a company providing residential pest control in North Shore. We always suggest our customers to opt for trapping methods. Here we have discussed about these methods, which you can use to get rid of the cockroaches from your home.


Sticky tape and onion trap
Do you have some sticky tapes? Use them as a trapping tool. You will also need onion for it. Chop off a small piece of onion and put it right in the middle of the sticky tape. Make sure to place the tape in some dark place of your room and keep it overnight. In the morning, you will surely find many cockroaches being trapped. They will be stuck on that sticky tape.

Jar trap
If you don’t have any sticky tape in your house, you can use a glass jar for trapping roaches. But remember the jar must be like a spaghetti or mayonnaise sauce jar-a quartz size one with a slight shoulder. Duct tape all over it the outside portion except the underside portion and coat at least four inches down from top in the inside portion of the glass jar with petroleum jelly. Put a fruit that’s smelly like banana peel or anything other in the jar’s bottom and then place it outdoors or indoors wherever you have cockroach problem. The roaches will surely climb up and fall in without being able to get out from the jar. At this moment, you can pour some boiling water to kill those insects.

Once they are killed, flush them down the toilet and recharge the jar with more petroleum jelly and a new fragrant fruit or banana peel or anything other.

Red wine trap
This might be a bit costlier option than the other two methods that have been mentioned above but it is surely a better alternative than bug spraying. To put this method into effect, all you need to have is some red wine and a glass or container which is cylindrical in shape. The glass must at least be filled half with wine. You can even water and wine if you think it to be a bit costlier. Make sure to place the glass in a strategic position all over the night. 

Cockroaches will generally get attracted by the smell of wine and may fall inside not being able to come up instantly. They won’t be able to come up because of the shape of the glass and they will die probably because of the effects of alcohol. 

The Best Way to Control Cockroach Infestation at Homes in North Shore

Cockroaches are species, which are two inches long and are largely found in homes in North Shore. They carry various diseases and are regarded as pests. Those, which are found in tropical areas, are larger than the ones that are found in other kinds of climates. The cockroaches have six legs and two antennae. Some have wings even but most of these winged ones are unable to fly.

The various types of cockroaches that are found in Sydney’s North Shore include Smoky Brown cockroach, American cockroach, Brown Banded cockroach, Australian cockroach, Oriental cockroach and German cockroach. These species crawl around the house and gives an unpleasant look. They eat everything when hungry-pastes, glues, foods, paint, solid soaps and many more things and are a menace to the property.

To exterminate these unpleasant looking species, get in touch with a company that offers services of integrated pest management in North Shore. They will either advice you on how to eradicate them or may even come to your house for pest extermination. The specialty about these integrated pest management services is that they do not use chemicals or non-environment friendly products to control the infestation of cockroaches. They use methods like setting up a trap or obstructing the entry points from where the cockroaches enter the house and so on as their methods.

R.I.P. Pest Management, one of the popular integrated pest management services in Northern Beaches, always advises to set up a trap to control cockroach infestation. They use many trap methods like sticky tape and onion trap, red wine trap, jar trap, wine bottle cockroach trap and many others for controlling the invasion of these species in house. They also use many products to do away with these species but all are environment-friendly.

In our next blog, we will come up with the cockroach trapping methods in detail. Till then stay tuned to our blog!