Pest Control: When and What to Expect

 

Most of us deal with pests the same way. We spot a cockroach, grab the spray, wipe the bench, and forget about it. Then a week later there's another one, and you start wondering how many you don't see. If that sounds familiar, you're probably at the point where it's worth talking to someone like Pest Control Sutherland Shire, so here's how to know when it's time and what the visit looks like.

Signs it's time to call someone

The pests keep coming back. If you've cleaned, sprayed and set traps and they're back within a couple of weeks, the spray is only killing what you can see. The nest is somewhere else, and that's what needs dealing with.

You're finding evidence but not the pest. Droppings in the pantry, chewed packaging, a musty smell in a cupboard, or scratching in the ceiling at night all mean something is living in your house. If it's the ceiling, it's usually rats or possums, and it's better to sort it out before they chew through wiring.

It's termites, bed bugs or rodents. These three are where DIY tends to go wrong. Bed bugs hide in mattress seams and skirting boards and shrug off most shop-bought sprays. Rats breed fast and get trap-shy. Termites are the sneakiest, because you can have a colony in your walls for months without knowing. Tapping a skirting board and hearing it sound hollow, or finding thin mud trails on a wall, is your cue to call straight away. In Sydney's climate, it's worth having a termite inspection done once a year even if you haven't noticed anything.

Someone in the house is vulnerable. With a baby, a pregnant partner, an asthmatic kid or pets that lick everything, you don't want to be experimenting with chemicals. A technician knows what's safe and where to apply it.

You're buying, selling or renting out. A pre-purchase pest inspection can save you a very expensive surprise. If you're selling or leasing, sorting out a problem beforehand keeps things smooth.

It's a business. Cafes, restaurants and shops can be fined or lose customers over pests. Regular service is just part of running the place.

What to expect when you book

The inspection. A decent company will look before they spray. They'll check around the house, the roof void and the subfloor if there is one, and ask where you've been seeing things. Expect questions. If someone offers a price over the phone without ever seeing the property, be a bit wary.

The quote. You should be told what pest they think you have, how they plan to treat it, how many visits it'll take, and what it costs. Ask whether a follow-up visit is included, because some infestations need one and some companies charge extra for it.

Getting ready. You'll usually get a short list of things to do beforehand. It might be clearing out the kitchen cupboards, putting food away, moving furniture off the walls, or washing bedding on a hot cycle if it's bed bugs. It's a bit of a hassle, but the treatment works noticeably better when you do it properly.

The treatment itself. This depends on the pest. Cockroaches are often dealt with using gel baits and targeted spraying. Rodents involve traps or bait stations plus sealing up the gaps they're getting in through. Termites can mean a chemical barrier around the house or bait systems in the ground. For a normal home it's usually a few hours, though termites and bed bugs can take longer.

Afterwards. You'll be told how long to keep pets and kids out of treated areas, and when it's fine to wipe things down. Listen to this bit. If you scrub a treated surface too soon you wipe off the product that's meant to keep working.

The follow-up. Very few problems are gone after one visit. Eggs hatch, survivors turn up, and a second visit is how you catch them. Ask what happens if the pests come back after treatment and whether that's covered.

Keeping them away. A good technician will point out the stuff you can fix yourself, like a leaking tap under the sink, gaps around pipes, bins that are too close to the house, or a pile of firewood stacked against the wall.

A few things to ask before you hire

·         Are you licensed and insured?

·         What products do you use, and are they okay around kids and pets?

·         Is there a warranty on the work?

·         How many visits do you expect this to take?

·         What's the total cost including any follow-ups?

Some honest expectations

Don't panic if cockroaches seem more active for a few days after treatment. They're coming out of hiding as the product gets to them, and it usually settles down. Also, the cheapest quote isn't always the bargain it looks like. Very low prices often mean a rushed job with no follow-up, and you end up paying twice.

And you don't need to call anyone for one ant on the windowsill. But if the same problem keeps returning, if it's the kind of pest that damages a house, or if you're just tired of dealing with it, getting a professional in is usually cheaper and far less stressful than another six months of trial and error.