PEST CONTROL TIPS FOR LANDLORDS

http://a1pestcontrolcanberra.com.au/

Being a landlord is rewarding as property values increase around Canberra and I know that many landlords depend on feedback from property managers to make them aware of any pending maintenance issues..

PEST CONTROL definitely comes under the maintenance banner as having regular general inspections will protect your property against infestations by general pests or from causing property damage from termites.

TAX ADVANTAGES TO THE LANDLORD

Getting near the end of the financial year is a great time to book in any general pest control, termite inspection or termite barriers if termites are found. Its a claimable expense for investment properties.

WHAT PEST CONTROL IS POSSIBLE THIS TIME OF YEAR?

– termite inspection either visual or thermal imaging
– chemical termite barriers if termites are found
– general pest all the creepy crawlies, cockroach, spiders etc
– mice/rat baiting this time of year they head indoors
– possum removals are one of our biggest call outs this time of
year.

Call Bob 0407 065 413 or email bob@a1pestcontrolcanberra.com.au

Source: Safe Chemical Treatments

Canberra, Are There Termites in Your Street?

Not running scare tactics but it is good to know that A1 Pest Control Canberra have been in your street treating termite problems. We chase the termites out and then we put in barriers in giving you Termidor 8 year $2M warranty.

The termites are homeless and looking to grow their colony – check below:

STREET NAMES WE HAVE TREATED LATELY?

• Manyard St, Ngunnawal
• Gingana St, Aranda
• Sowden St, McKellar
• Wiltshire St, Dickson
• Carroll St, Hughes
• Tatchell St, Calwell
• Nunan Cres, Oxley
• Traynor St, Melba
• Rusten St, Queanbeyan
• Higgins St, Nicholls
• Cuthbert St, Wanniassa
• Cossington Smith St, Lyneham
• Fitzmaurice St, Kaleen
• Sweet Pl, Chisholm
• Cockrane, Theodore
• Walker Cres, Narrabundah
• Traynor St, Melba

The streets above have called us out to determine if they have termites and all the names listed have had them. We chase them out and they look for new homes sometimes they go to the house next door or a few doors down to make their new home.

Prevention is cheaper than the cure to replace beams and posts!

Whether your living, thinking of buying/selling or renovating a home or commercial property as part of annual maintenance protect your biggest investment with a termite treatments that come with a $2M 8 year warranty.

Call Bob 0407 065 413 or visit our website to read about thermal imaging http://a1pestcontrolcanberra.com.au

Source: Natural Remedies Canberra

Russian Roulette With Termites

With termites it is really unpredictable where they will show up next for instance your home may back onto a reserve and you have a few trees that are near the fence line that is on government land the termites maybe in the tree and you don’t even notice them there.

They may get bored and then move camp to your fence or garden borders without you even knowing and gradually make their way to your home all undetected.

When selling your home you will need to have a pest and termite inspection done and you call in A1 Pest Control Canberra who detect the termites and start the chase out first before placing the barriers in and here is where it gets interesting.

The termites are homeless they could go to your neighbors place next door or they can go 5 doors down there is no telling where they will turn up this is where the roulette comes into it. 

BUYERS LOVE THAT YOU HAVE TERMITES

There are 2 sorts of prospective buyers one is the one that will run to the hills with the mention of termites as they know that they hate the thought of sharing their homes with them OR there is the prospective buyer that will want to beat you down with the price your asking for your property.

THERMAL IMAGE – THE ONLY WAY TO CHECK

Thermal image inspection shows up movement, body heat of termites and damp areas of your home that termites source out to live.

With a thermal image inspection there is no limitations unlike visual inspections where you can not get access to certain areas, or the weather does not permit you going onto a roof.

Book a termite inspection TODAY call Bob 0407 065 413

This thermal image shows the cool/damp areas in a wall ideal conditions for the termites that are detected.

Source: Spider Pest Control

A1 General Pest Control

The first day of August which means spring next month. So over these last couple of months many of the troublesome insects and pests have been either sleeping, mating or both ready to make an appear when the warmer weather.

http://A1PestControlCanberra.com.au

European Wasp is a nasty one as the are often mistake for bees but unlike bees who sting and die the European Was can sting many times, and tells others to do the same!

Last year we unearthed a nest underground the size of a soccer ball. But here is the thing do not disturb them or as stated that they will turn on you to protect the colony at all cost. Even through the protect clothing our team wear the wasp can penetrate our gear so never ever go to rid of these pests yourself.

NOW IS THE TIME TO…
– do a general pest control
– check garden beds to see what pests are lurking
– clean up and wipe down pantry cupboard and shelves
– get a termite inspection done – thermal image one is best

Just a few ideas for general maintenance leading into the warmer months that can save you from pests and also save you money.

Call Bob 0407 065 413

Source: Spider Pest Control

ALL NATURAL HOME REMEDIES TO KEEP PESTS OUT

While you might enjoy going out and traveling to places, it is an undeniable fact that pests are trying to get in. They’re not all trying to grab a snack from your kitchen, many emerge from winter hiding once temperatures rise and begin looking for food and water.

How do you keep the pests at bay? 

Here are some natural remedies to keep pests away from your property:

Ants- Ants are one of the most frequent home invaders and one of the easiest to deal with in a sweet-smelling, natural way. You can also cut cucumber in small slices and place them on the likely entry point of ants in your kitchen. Bitter cucumber slices works better. If you don’t have the above-mentioned remedies, soap water spray works good against ants.

Mosquitoes- If you want a mosquito-free surrounding, you can consider lemon. Lemon grass, lemon-scented Pelargoniums (commonly sold as scented geraniums) and lemon balm are some of the ones you can keep in pots or in the garden. Lemon balm is a mint and like all mints, you’ll never have to think about it again after planting except maybe to cut it back to keep it under control. Speaking of mint, rubbing it on your skin is also an effective way to repel biting bugs. 

Furthermore, it is very necessary to keep your surroundings airy and clean, take concrete measures to remove standing water sources where , mosquitoes might nest in.

Flies- The best way to keep away flies is to keep your house and surroundings clean and neat. In both kitchen and bathroom keep the drains free and clean of debris. Small sachets of mint leaves in crushed form can be placed around the home to restrict flies entering your house.

Cockroaches- We use many products available in the market to keep away roaches. The best way to keep them out of your kitchen is to keep your kitchen clean and very neat. Soap solution spray can instantly kill cockroaches if sprayed directly.

In both kitchen and bathroom keep the drains free and clean of debris. And make sure your garbage cans and compost bin lids are fit securely not only to keep insects away but four-legged pests.

However, if the pests get out of hand, it is just appropriate to admit that you need the help of experts in removing them from your property. Call Bob on 0407 065 413 for all of your pest concerns TODAY. Or go to our site A1 Pest Control Canberra for further information and education.

Source: NATURAL HOME REMEDIES

FREE Thermal Imaging When Selling Your Home In Canberra!

Free thermal Imaging its a catchy headline right? Everyone loves a free anything but this is so true in Canberra alone as the seller needs to prepare their home to sell and needs to organise both building and pest inspections to give to their solicitor to ensure that the property is clear of termites and asbestos.

The buyer then buys the report off the owner at exchange and therefore is FREE to the seller!

This is only in Canberra ACT not in any of the other states.

Many sellers will take the visual termite inspection BUT this really does not give peace of mind to the buyer especially when its noted on the report that “weather did no permit access” or “not enough space under the flooring to inspect!”

THERMAL IMAGING Vs VISUAL INSPECTION

Thermal imaging will pick up not only termites, body heat & movement long before they do damage BUT building faults such as:

– roof leaks, bathroom leaks

– a/c duct leaks

– potential plumbing issues

– moisture & mold

– missing insulation

– electrical concerns

Basically, weather does not permit an inspection as thermal imaging sees through walls, concrete etc..

Compared to the visual termite inspection look around and tapping done by the inspector PLUS even when the property is sold and the new owners find new problems – the real estate agent will hear all about it and will need to act.

This is annoying to the seller as it not only delays selling the property but the buyer will use what they find in their investigation to negotiate a further discount on the property as they will need to fix the problem at their own cost.

Its therefore a lot less stressful to have a thorough thermal imaging done before putting it on the market.

Save yourself the trouble get a full thermal imaging termite report that will pick up any termite movement, moisture or body heat PLUS the added advantage of finding undetected house faults!

Call Bob 0407 065 413 A1 Pest Control Canberra to book your thermal image termite inspection TODAY!

Source: Thermal Imaging

Possum Catchers Hints and Tips

Those cute little big eyed possums are great in the wild but let them find their way to your roof void through broken tiles or not properly sealed cooling/heating units your peaceful nights will be no more!

In fact when you are getting ready to close your eyes the possums are ready to party and they do and scurry in your roof like they have army boots on, fight and mate that will keep you awake or disturb your sleep.

Bob and the team get called out regularly to trap/relocate possums and people think that they have only one possum but that is not true they travel in pairs with their mate and customers are very surprised when we do trap the 2nd possum.

HINTS AND TIPS

– never leave food out for possums as this encourages them to return

– rake up fallen fruit from fruit trees

– trim back bushes and shrubs from outside the house by a metre

– get rid of vines growing on the house as they are easy access to your roof

– check that installed air conditioning is properly sealed
– don’t leave pet food bowls with any food left in it outside

A1 Pest Control Canberra are one of only a few pest control companies that are fully licensed by TAMS to catch and release possums.

We can also hire the traps out for those that want to do this themselves (POA).

Call Bob on 0407 065 413

Source: Termite Treatments Canberra

Termite Specialist - A1 Pest Control Canberra

Why do we call ourselves termite specialists? I guess it has to do with the fact that we go over and beyond what is expected of a pest control company that we take pride in our work and want to help everyone of our customers get protection from the damage that termites can do.

It’s the fact that we invest in our own education that keeps us a step in front of the pack so we are aware of any changes in technology or new treatments that have come onto the market place that give better safer results we would want to know that too to pass onto our customers.

Many times we are called in and amazed at those that have come in before us and stated that there are “NO” termites and have just taken the inspection money and run where on closer inspection its very evident that there are termites.

Perhaps the other company didn’t go all the way under the house to check for evidence of termites or otherwise they would not of missed the mud tracks left by the termites?

Or they inspected the property on a wet day and was not able to gain access to a roof due to weather on the day, who knows all we know if there is one area that is miss or overlooked its like giving termites the keys to the house!

Our mission is to save you money and to use not only the tools we use visually, but to offer you newer technology like thermal imaging that detects moisture, body heat and movement of termites but also alerts you the owner of potential plumbing and electrical issues as well.

Weather does not prevent us from checking on roofs and checking under the house as the thermal imaging can detect through all surfaces.

I also know that we use only superior products like Termidor that give a $2million dollar 8 year warranty and we feel that alone gives the customers peace of mind when choosing a termite specialist.

We always choose people over profits and this also sets us aside from our competitors who will use a cheaper product and increase the price.

If you are looking for Termite Specialist who does pre-construction, commercial and domestic property contact Bob on 0407 065 413 or email Bob@a1pestcontrolcanberra.com.au

Source: Termite Specialist

Let’s face it pests are the unwanted guests in your home and there is nothing like to see evidence that they have visited you by their droppings to make you squirm at the thought that they are eating and vomiting on your food source.
Pest spread disease and can make you very sick or even become life threatening if you do not get rid of them.

Prevention is always easier than cure so let me share what I know that works is that you need to not tempt the pests in the first place by not giving them a reason to drop by your home in the first place.

Do you remember your mother saying cleanliness is next to Godliness? This really applies also to pest prevention.

MOST COMMON HOUSEHOLD PESTS

COCKROACHES
Cockroaches rely on water and warmth and this encourages their presence behind freezers, fridges and cookers, where they are often undisturbed.

RODENTS
Rodents spread disease through contamination of food or utensils with rodent faeces or urine. Life threatening diseases such as Salmonella or Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis.

FLEASFleas are a type of wingless parasite found worldwide. They feed off the blood of humans and animals such as dogs and cats. Since fleas use a wide range of hosts, diseases can be transferred from one host to another.

BED BUGSAre world travelers – returning from an overseas trip you may bring home more souvenirs than you want, but you may not even have to leave home to come across bed bugs you may stay in a hotel that has had a tourist stay in the same room and the bed bugs hide as they wait for the new guests to arrive!

Bed bugs need blood hosts to continue their life cycle and will gorge on your blood at night and you will wake to blood spots on your sheets and may have an allergic reaction to their bites.

TERMITESTermites do not physically hurt you but they will do structural damage and hurt your hip pocket to replace the beams, doorways and windows that they eat through. Most insurance policies will not cover the damage that they do which could be many thousands of dollars.

PREVENTION IS EASIER THAN THE CURE

• Don’t leave dishes on the kitchen bench or in the sink.
• Empty rubbish bins and store the bins away from the kitchen door, as this is an invite to go inside.
• Sweep the floors regularly to sweep up traces of food and crumbs.
• Open packets of anything will attract pests; keep open foodstuffs in a glass jar preferably with a lid. All contents of opened packets are an invite to rodents who will gnaw at the packet or the cockroach can make their way in packets that are just folded over.
• Get leaky taps fixed, as this is the water source for the pest; leave a plug in sinks to stop entry via drains.
• Plug holes with steel wool to deter rodent entry

UNWANTED GUESTS AT YOUR HOME?

One of the most worrying things with pests is that normally you will not see them as they come out to eat while you’re asleep and the house is quiet. If you are seeing either cockroaches or mice during the day you have a plague, which is a lot harder to treat and to break their breeding cycles – you will need a fully licensed Pest Control professional immediately.

Giveaway clues that you have pests:

• Look for droppings near appliances as pests like warm areas to congregate to eat and breed.
• Cockroach pupae in food areas or look for empty casings, which means they have hatched, and you will have a bigger problem.
• If you are waking up itchy with blood spots on your sheets and have red bites this could either mean you have bed bugs or fleas as both need blood hosts (you) to continue their life cycle.
• Saw dust on the floorboards or dropping near a hole or crevice big enough for a mouse to get in and out.
• Touching windows and or door frames you find that they have been eaten out and are now hollow.
• Fine dust appears on the floor boards could indicate termites or borers.

5 EASY Proven Tips to Keep PESTS Out Of Your Home TODAY!

1. Cleanliness is the key here keep the food sources kept away and washed up and or kept in the dishwasher. Empty garbage bins regularly and don’t have bins close to the kitchen door.
2. Keep foodstuffs in pantries in sealed containers.
3. Look for new access areas by give away signs
4. Identify pests quickly and remember if you are seeing cockroaches or mice during the day you have a BIG problem too big for you to treat on your own you need professional pest control help ASAP.
5. If you have had installed air conditioning installed checked that around the piping that has been sealed, as this is a common entry point for rodents. Stuff steel wool into the hole to deter entry.

WHEN TO CALL IN A PEST CONTROL PROFESSIONAL.

Following the many tips given above will help keep your home pest free but if you are not winning the war against the pests mentioned and due to their quick breeding cycles it does not take long to have an out of control situation. If the problem is not going away:

Call Bob on 0407 065 413A1 Pest Control Canberra

He can give you safe family and pet friendly treatments that are effective and long lasting.

Source: Pest Treatment Canberra