General Pests
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SPIDERS
How do you identify that you have a problem?
Externally - Black House Spiders create unsightly webs around your guttering, downpipes, windows, fences, under eaves, and doors. Smaller spiders create webs on your clothesline and can crawl into your clothes. Red Back Spiders create webs under outdoor furniture, plant pots, in between stored goods such as pavers, bricks, or boxes in garages.
Internally - Daddy Long Leg Spiders like to hide in cornices, tops of cupboards, and inside cupboards. Small spiders (money spiders) like to also make tiny webs and hide along your ceiling cornice and behind/under furniture. If the external spider activity is high then you will start to see Black House Spiders inside as well around windows and doors.
When should you call a specialist to take a look?
If spiders are building up outside and making their way inside and it's causing distress, or you are at risk of being bitten it's time to give the experts at Pixel Pest Control a call. Webs can make your home look untidy and if you have a large garden or shrubbery spiders can build webs between these that you may walk through. Just remember that if pests are undesirable and overstepping their welcome just give Pixel a call.
What treatments do you offer for webbing spiders?
After an initial site inspection for safety and discussing problem areas with the homeowner, we then outline a treatment plan, some of this is also discussed over the phone prior to our service. Common treatments for webbing spiders consists of a low-medium pressure, low odour, insecticide treatment using a fan-jet style nozzle, of targeted problem areas. Pixel Pest Control also incorporates a Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach and utilises spray equipment to reach most high areas e.g. eaves and windows of a 2-3 storey or split level domestic home.
Exterior: Under eaves, guttering, downpipes, cracks in brickwork, under handrails and furniture, small-medium garden sheds, retaining walls, clothesline, around windows, doors, wheelie bins, and letterboxes. Fences are also treated (if safe to do so) making sure to get up in all the voids (especially in a colourbond fences) where spiders might be hiding.
Interior: For Spiders internally we target them directly that are along cornices, in cupboards, around windows and doors, behind and under furniture. We also use dust inside door voids, wall voids. From our experience if the exterior webbing spider activity is treated, this then reduces the activity inside the home!. Pixel Pest Control recommends an Exterior and Interior treatment for webbing spiders whenever they become a problem for best results.
What preparation is needed before the treatment?
Most importantly we ask the client to NOT broom down webs before our arrival. This helps us identify where the majority of the issues are, allows for spiders who may be hiding during the treatment to come out into the web and come in contact with the treatment. Home owners will need to close all doors and windows, remove any washing on the clothesline, remove pet food bowls, cover any fish tanks for fish ponds with a tarpaulin, cover bbq and remove any food utensils from outside. Pixel Pest Control follows all insecticide label requirements and you need to vacate the home for 2-3 hours, although we discuss our preparation requirements prior to any treatment for the safety of our clients and staff. Please take note of our Common practises below.
How long does it take to complete the treatment?
Generally the treatment takes approx 1-2 hours to complete inside and out depending on the home size.
How long before they're gone?
It may take upto 10 days before all spiders have come into contact with treatment. Leaving the spider webs up during this time after treatment helps to treat any spiders hiding during initial treatment. Pixel Pest Control recommends the spider webs be broomed down 14 days after the treatment, this helps to identify any new active spiders/webs and reduces the risk of unnecessary callbacks from existing spider webs which are non active. At request we can complete this task for you at a discounted rate if incorporated with a webbing spider treatment.
COCKROACHES
How do you identify that you have a problem?
The first sign of cockroaches in the home is normally droppings inside cupboards near wet areas such as under the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry sink , and inside the garage amongst stored items like boxes. Activity increases in the warmer months e.g. spring and then you may start seeing them on benches after turning on the light at night. Some species of cockroaches e.g. german cockroaches reproduce rapidly and a female cockroach is capable of producing almost 400 eggs! In a lifetime. This species of cockroach requires a more Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach which Pixel Pest has many years of experience with. Our most valuable asset in solving your pest management needs is communication with our clients.
Common Signs of cockroaches:-
- Droppings inside cupboards mainly in wet areas or the garage.
- On benchtops looking for food when you turn on the light at night.
- You may find egg capsules (ootheca) stuck inside cupboards. These are small rectangle shaped brown egg capsules.
- Smear marks in/on cupboards from where cockroaches crawl and lay unwanted waste.
When should you call a specialist to take a look?
As soon as you start seeing any of the above concerns give Pixel Pest Control a call, as the problem can escalate quickly if not treated. Cockroaches, especially German Cockroaches can reproduce very quickly and a few cockroaches seen in the kitchen can quickly escalate into cockroaches throughout the home. Just remember that if pests are undesirable and overstepping their welcome just give Pixel a call.
What damage can Cockroaches cause to a home?
Cockroaches spread disease and bacteria, contaminating food and utensils. Spread bacteria can cause food poisoning and asthma attacks. Because some cockroaches can reproduce rapidly, over 40 eggs at a time, and mature within 8 weeks, infestations quickly become severe. Damage to electrical wiring in whitegoods, and small electrical equipment e.g. the dishwasher, and inside the microwave,. Cockroaches can cause malfunction and are sometimes not covered under appliance warranty.
What treatments do you offer?
After an initial site inspection for safety and discussing problem areas with the homeowner, we then outline a treatment plan, some of this is also discussed over the phone prior to our service. Common treatments for cockroaches consist of a localised insecticide dusting of wall voids, and roof space areas with cockroach activity. Surface treatment focusing on the active areas e.g. kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, and garage. Gel baits are also utilised and placed in problem areas for maximum results e.g. under sinks.
In cases of high activity e.g. German cockroaches follow up visit/s are normally required, this would be assets after our initial service and a management plan discussed with you.
What preparation is needed before the treatment?
We kindly ask and recommend the homeowner remove loose items from the floor areas, and along walls e.g. kids toys, cloths, food utensils, pet food bowls, cover fish tanks, ect…, prior to our arrival. In the case of German cockroaches we also require items removed from the kitchen cupboard directly under the sink area, bathroom vanity cabinets, and we may need better access to more areas in extreme cases. If possible any fridges should be moved out from any enclosed locations. Assistance from you in these recommendations will greatly increase chances of a successful treatment, remember communication with our clients is key!. No warranty is included otherwise.
Pixel Pest Control follows all insecticide label requirements and you need to vacate the home for 2-3 hours, although we discuss our preparation requirements prior to any treatment for the safty of our clients and staff. Please take note of our Common practises below.
How long does it take to complete the treatment?
Generally the treatment takes approx 1-2 hours to complete inside and out depending on the home size.
How long before they're gone?
It may take up to 14 days before a reduction in cockroaches is seen due to using a a number of different types of treatments. Gel baits are used and encourage cockroaches to come out and consume bait. The slight delay in mortality caused by the active ingredients and surface treatments, allows cockroaches to consume and/or come in content with treatment zones! They then return to the harbourage sites to contaminate other cockroaches resulting in significant reduction in population levels.
ANTS
How do you identify that you have a problem?
Internally - Often you will see Black Ants track around the wet areas of your home, suchs as kitchen, laundry or bathroom looking for moisture or food. In the kitchen they are attracted to sugary or fatty foods such as honey, jams or syrups depending on the species of ants. Make sure these foods are stored in an airtight container. Any spills or drips of food such as honey should be cleaned up to prevent an incentive for ants to enter your home.
Ants outside your home can be found in garden beds, in your lawn areas, along the edging of paths & driveways. Most external ants we see are more of a nuisance ant rathan than a harmful ant. They dig up dirt in gardens, between pavers & driveways and generally make a mess. Some ants can bite like the common Green Ant and cause a sharp burning sensation which can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours. Although the bite is unpleasant, their venom is harmless.
When should you call a specialist to take a look?
If you notice Ants tracking in and around your home, causing a mess, or just being a pest then its a good idea to call Pixel Pest Control. Just remember that if pests are undesirable and overstepping their welcome just give Pixel a call.
What damage can Ants cause to a home?
Ants tend to be a nuisance more than a destructive pest. They make soil mounds in and around path edging and gardens. They can nest inside/under insulation, the roof space area, and around doors and windows. This can cause falling debris/nesting material to drop from downlights or ceiling vents creating a mess. Ants sometimes nest behind electrical power points or even inside electrical equipment e.g. hot water services which can cause damage or even a fire!.
What treatments do you offer?
Depending on the location or species of ants, there are a number of treatment options available. This includes surface treatments along path, driveway, and garden edging, gel baits & granular baits in locations or activity. Treatment options are assets after an initial service visit and/or discussed over the phone. The more information you can provide to us in relation to the ants and where they are activity causing a problem will result in a more successful treatment.
What preparation is needed before the treatment?
Treatment of ants does not require a lot of preparation prior to treatment from the homeowner. This is because most ant treatments are localised in areas of concern, nests we need to treat directly are normally in areas out of reach of human interaction e.g. kids coming into contact with treatment zones, and the treatments are normally down low along path edging limiting and problems with spray drift ect… We do ask if loose items around the yard/garden areas be moved, although this is mostly to provide better access which allows for a larger treatment area.
How long does it take to complete the treatment?
This treatment can take up to 1-2 hours depending on the size of the home.
How long before they're gone?
After the initial treatment you should see a large reduction in numbers. Some baits such as gel or granular are dependent on the ants tracking to the bait and taking it back to the nest for nest elimination. Depending on the species of ant and the treatment/s required reduction in activity could sometimes take upto 14 days. Feedback for our clients is that after our service they have not seen an ant for the entire spring/summer period which is the best time of year!.
RODENTS
How do you identify that you have a problem?
At night you might start hearing things in the roof space/walls are moving, scratching, gnawing or thumping around in your ceiling!. Stored goods may be chewed through or food stuffs in the kitchen left out overnight have been eaten. You may even see a cheeky mouse sneaking through your home or garage. Droppings are also a good indication you may have an issue, which tend to show up in garage areas, garden sheds, or in kitchen/wet area cupboards.
When should you call a specialist to take a look?
If you hear things moving around in your roof space/walls especially at night its best to call Pixel Pest Control to inspect your home. If rodents are left to do their thing then the situation/activity could increase very fast. In the case of mice they have a gestation period of 19 to 21 days. A female mouse gets pregnant about 5 to 10 times each year and can give birth to a litter of 3 to 14 pups. That's a lot of activity to have in your home!.
What damage can rodents cause to a home?
Rodents can cause extensive damage when chewing/gnawing on items in the roof space/wall e.g. roof truss timbers, electrical wiring, plumbing, insulation, sarking, and store items. They also urinate and drop feces frequently which can contaminate anything they come into contact with which is a health risk to you and the family. Rodents collect loose materials or damage items to use for nesting sites, they often damage insulation in walls and roof space areas to nest inside of. Out of all the pests we control, rodents by far can cause the most damage.
What treatments do you offer?
Pixel Pest Control would need to complete a site inspection, and gather information from the client. The inspection and information gathering helps us to devise a rodent management plan that is specific to your home/rodent infestation. We incorporate a Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach which may include but not limited to sealing entry point areas, changing the environment to be less desirable to rodents, tracking dusts to track activity, live traps, and lockable rodent bait stations. We recommend at least 1x follow up visit in any rodent management plan which is included in our initial service cost, in extreme cases we may need to monitor/control the infestation over the period of 6-12 months.
What preparation is needed before the treatment?
We don’t need preparation for rodent management, we need to see where rodents have been active so its advised not to clean up and evidence that has been left behind. In some rare circumstances we may need access to inaccessible areas or items moved, although we communicate this with our clients.
How long does it take to complete the treatment?
Inspecting your home and implementing the initial stages of a rodent management plan takes approx 1-2 hours. You don't need to be away from the property for this service and any Lockable Rodent Bait stations required are safe for pets, native animals such as possums, and your family.
How long before they're gone?
Depending on the management plan/service required this can be anywhere from 7-14 days. Lockable Rodent Bait stations are installed in locations where rodents have been identified to track. It may take 2-4 days before baits have been consumed or rodents have been caught inside live traps.
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