Australia is known for many things including its spectacular beaches, diverse wildlife, and unique culture. However, it also has a reputation for being home to a diverse number of pests that can be a huge nuisance to homeowners. Pest control in the Mornington Peninsula and other areas in Australia can be a challenge but with the right knowledge, homeowners can easily deal with any infestations they may encounter.
However, before you tackle any pest problems, it’s important that you understand what it is that you are dealing with. Different pests will be handled in different ways so to ensure that you deal with the problem effectively, you need to know how to recognise the more common pests. Once you have established which pests you are having issues with, you can read here to find more information on the kind of pest control services available for dealing with them specifically. Some infestations are definitely best left for the professionals, particularly if they have spread quite severely. In less severe cases, a few straightforward measures can go a long way in preventing or lessening the problems caused by pests.
Keep reading to learn how you can combat some of the more common infestations and avoid the headache of having these bugs around your home.
Termites
Especially during the spring and summer months, termites are known to expand their colonies. Unfortunately, this expansion often makes an inroad into our homes. Severe termite infestations can cause serious damage, however, you can work to stop the spread before it even starts.
To start, eliminate as much moisture from your home as possible. Termites build their colonies close to patches of moisture and you will make your home less inviting to unwanted guests if you monitor these levels inside and around the foundation of your dwelling. Also, be sure to keep firewood at a reasonable distance from your home and trim away any branches or foliage that may overhang onto your roof which may provide an entry point for termites.
Cockroaches
While they are even rumoured to survive nuclear explosions, you can certainly take steps to keep cockroaches off your property. The key point to remember is to be mindful of sources of food for the roaches. Make sure to keep dry goods in sealed containers and keep a clean kitchen/waste areas. It’s also a good idea to de-clutter your home to remove any hiding places and consider sealing gaps in your walls (around pipes, for example) which offer easy points of entry and exit for cockroaches.
Spiders
Spiders are highly valuable creatures in a broader ecological sense for maintaining insect population, however, sometimes they can cause problems for homeowners if they are legion. Spiders eat other insects and therefore removing their source of food will make your home less attractive to them. As with other infestations, seal up cracks along walls or sockets and under doors. While it may seem like a bigger decision, consider getting a cat to chase down spiders for you and keep them out of your house. Finally, keeping your rubbish bins, which attract flies, outside can help to keep spiders at bay.
Ants
Ants are ubiquitous in nature, although indoors they can cause significant distress and damage. Infestation can be prevented by sprinkling chalk, talcum powder, or even cinnamon on the edge of cabinets or countertops. Keep your kitchen tidy and clean, especially remembering to wipe down anything that is sticky or sweet like honey or sugary drinks. Removing ant hills near your home can prevent them from coming inside en masse. Some people suggest sprinkling cornmeal around hills, which ants eat but cannot digest, to slowly kill off the colony.
When facing particular types of ants that are capable of dealing with heavy damage, such as carpenter ants or fire ants, make sure to recognize when to call a professional.
Home Remedies Vs. Professional Pest Control
Pest infestations are unpleasant but common experiences in the life of virtually every homeowner. While some of these home remedies may be useful for preventing infestations if your situation is particularly severe, and if you have already tried to use anti-pest chemicals yourself with little success, it is more reasonable to call a professional pest control service to get the situation under control before your home is compromised any further.
