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How Professional Pest Control Can Help With Spider Infestations

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 16:14:10 GMT

Spiders are one of nature's most effective pest controllers. They keep pests like mosquitoes, flies and even mice from becoming too numerous. Unfortunately, spiders can themselves become household pests when they infest homes in large numbers.

DIY pest control can be ineffective, not to mention dangerous, especially when dealing with venomous spiders. If spiders have taken over your home, a pest control service can assist you in many useful ways.

Species identification

Australia is home to about 2000 species of spider . Fortunately, only a handful of those species are venomous. The venomous spiders that you don't want in and around your home or building are:

Redback spiders
White-tailed spiders

Many other species of spider can infest homes too when the conditions are right, such as:

Brown house spiders
Black house spiders
Daddy long legs spiders
Huntsman spiders
Wolf spiders

Sometimes, spider species can be difficult to tell apart. This is the primary reason to hire a professional pest control service when dealing with a spider problem. A pest control service can help you to avoid a potential bite from a venomous spider.

Spider removal

Spider removal can be difficult and messy. This is especially true when the spider you need to remove is fast-moving. Fast-moving spiders like huntsman spiders, wolf spiders and white-tailed spiders can escape and move into other areas of your home. A pest control service that specializes in spider removal has the tools and experience to deal with fast-moving spiders.

Entry point identification and removal

A pest control professional will seek to determine how spiders are getting into your home or building too. With an inspection of your home's walls, roof space, windows and doors, professionals can identify probable entry points.

Identification of causal factors

You need to know why spiders have taken an interest in your home or building. Spiders will gravitate toward buildings with:

A plentiful food source (insects)
Shelter (clutter and seldom used rooms)
Plentiful entry points
An environment safe for breeding

If you remove the spider-friendly conditions from your home, spiders will be less likely to invade. A pest control professional can find out why spiders choose to enter your home. If the cause of your spider problem is insects, a professional can deal with the insect problem. A pest control professional can also give you advice on how to avoid attracting spiders in future.

Preventative treatment for high-risk areas

Once your spider problem is eradicated, you need to prevent spiders from returning. One way to do this is with preventative treatment. For instance, a pest control professional can treat areas where redback spiders build their webs, such as:

Bin handles
Furniture
Garden tools
Barbecue grills
Letterboxes

With regular preventative treatment, such as spray application, you can keep spiders away from your yard and home.

Professional advice on living alongside spiders

You can't eradicate spiders from around your home entirely. But you can learn to live alongside them without attracting them to your home or encountering them on a regular basis. A professional can give you advice on how to live safely and comfortably with spiders.

Have spiders taken over your Perth home and yard? Then now is the time to call on a professional pest control service. Call Champion Pest Control today, and we'll remove your spider problem and keep your home safe from future infestations.

Flea Infestation: What the Signs Are and How to Prevent One

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:32:47 GMT

Many homeowners dread flea infestation. Fleas can lead to numerous health problems in pets, including skin allergies, hot spots from constant scratching, and, in extreme cases, anaemia.

To make matters worse, these insects might bite humans, leaving behind itchy or painful fleabites. Luckily, you can prevent flea infestation in several ways, such as thoroughly cleaning your home and treating pets.

Dig in to learn about both the common signs of a flea infestation and the ways to prevent a flea infestation from happening. Fleas do not have to be a part of your home, so ensure that they are not with the following information.

What are common signs of a flea infestation?

Fleas multiply fast and can make your home inhabitable in no time. But, before preventing or eradicating these pests, you need to know the signs of infestation. Start by looking out for the following:

Hopping fleas on your upholstery, rugs or draperies
Excessive scratching in pets
Red, irritated skin patches and welts in humans and animals

How can you keep away a flea infestation?

Use the tips below to prevent a full-blown flea infestation in your home.

Keep your home clean

Dirt and debris can provide the perfect hideout for fleas. To ensure that these pests don't take over your home, you must keep every corner of your property clean.

First, deep clean your home while paying more attention to hard-to-reach spots. Remember, fleas love to hide in cracks and crevices, so be sure to move furniture and clean under things.

Also, don't overlook the importance of regular vacuuming. The property will appeal less to the fleas when your home is dirt-free. Most importantly, ensure that you empty the vacuum bag after each use so fleas don't end up back in your home.

Lastly, keep your pet's bed clean and flea-free by frequently washing the bedding in hot water.

Treat your pets

Dogs and cats are common flea victims. And if your pet is infested, they will likely bring the fleas into the house. Therefore, to avoid an infestation, seek treatment for your four-legged friend and comb their fur regularly.

You can quickly tell if your pets have fleas if they have tiny black specks on their fur. The black spots are likely flea droppings, otherwise known as flea dirt. Fleas also irritate your pet, so if your dog or cat suddenly starts to scratch or bite more than usual, you may have a flea problem.

Keep your yard clean and dry

Fleas love to hide in long grass. Therefore, trim and mow your lawn regularly so they can't find a place to hide and lay eggs. In addition, remove debris like mowed grass and fallen leaves from your lawn because fleas can hide in and under them.

Don’t forget that fleas prefer moist conditions. So, avoid overwatering your lawn at all costs. And if it has a drainage problem, fix it to avoid providing these critters with a friendly breeding ground.

Although you can take measures to prevent a flea infestation, these insects are small and hard to notice. That means you may not realize you already have the problem until it's too late. If you suspect to have a flea infestation, seek professional help immediately.

You can count on a professional like Champion Pest Control Pty Ltd to inspect your property for fleas and provide you with the best treatment options. Our team of experts has the skills, experience, and tools necessary to spot and deal with these pests effectively. We are certified and strictly rely on safe pest control methods to treat homes and businesses. Don't let your loved ones and furry friends suffer anymore. Contact us today!

2 Reasons to Get a Termite Inspection Before You Sell Your Home

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 18:23:32 GMT

Whatever the reason to sell your home, you want it to be out of the market as quickly as possible. You also want potential buyers to meet your asking price.

While there is a lot you can do to speed up the sale of your house and maximise the property's value, few beat the power of a comprehensive home inspection. To be precise, a termite inspection report will improve potential buyers' confidence in your property and make them agree to your terms. Read on for two more reasons to get a termite inspection before you put your home on the market.

Termite inspection allows you to find and rectify problems sooner

Termites are silent destroyers. If you are not keen, you may not realise you have a termite problem until half of your building foundation is gone. Here are some common damages caused by termites.

Damage to the walls

Often, termites find their way to your home through a wall. The pests eat the structure of your wall, which causes the wall to weaken and wear prematurely. Unfortunately, damages to the wall are hard to detect until the worst happens.

Damage to the foundation

Termites are always on the lookout for food and an ideal environment to thrive. And that's precisely what your house foundation offers.

Termites start to eat away at the supports beneath your home, and eventually, the issue may cause your foundation to crack or collapse. This damage can be very costly to repair and make your home unsafe.

Damage to the ceiling

Termites can easily make their way to the ceiling. The tiny pests start to feed on the wooden beams that support your ceiling. So if you don't spot the problem soon, your ceiling begins to sag, or worse, the ceiling may collapse.

Damage to the floorboards

If you notice cracks on your floorboard, that may signify that you have a termites problem. The cracks form when termites eat away at the supports under the floorboards.

Contact a professional pest control company for a comprehensive inspection. The specialists will detect and deal with any evidence of termites before you hand over the property to someone new. Otherwise, minor issues may escalate to huge and costly repairs that will lower the value of your home.

Termite inspection helps with price negotiation

A lot comes to play as you set a reasonable home sale price. The price should favour you and the buyers. Therefore, you should strive to give buyers more reasons to accept your asking price.

Pre-sale property inspection is a chance to prove your honesty to potential buyers. Show the prospects that you have their best interests at heart. And prove that you are not just interested in selling your home fast and leaving them to deal with the worst.

If you present a home inspection report, buyers will have no reason to force you to drop your asking price. And if they do, the drop will be by a minor margin.

On the other hand, if buyers find fault with your home on their own, they may suspect there is a lot more damage than you are disclosing. Such issues can turn away serious buyers. Also, buyers could use pest inspection costs and possible damage repairs as a bargaining chip to push your selling price down.

Conclusion

Don't assume your property is safe because you have no visible signs of termites. Instead, contact a reliable pest control expert to inspect every corner of your property.

Even if your home is free from pests, the inspection report goes a long way to ensure a fast and satisfactory transaction for you and your buyer. You can count on our skills and expertise for accurate inspection results. Contact us at Champion Pest Control for timely termite inspection services to help speed up your property sale.

All You Need to Know About Pest Inspections

Thu, 19 May 2022 00:00:53 GMT

Pests such as spiders, rodents, cockroaches and termites are a cause for worry for any homeowner. Pests are a health risk to your family and damage various fixtures in your home. Pest inspections are an essential aspect of pest control. However, many homeowners do not appreciate the importance of the procedure.

The guide below details a few things homeowners should know about pest inspections. Hopefully, it will compel you to schedule an inspection in the near future.

What are the benefits of a pest inspection?

A pest inspection enables you to identify the presence of pests before the infestation becomes severe. For instance, a termite mud tube on a wooden structure could initially seem harmless. However, if you do not conduct pest treatment, the termites could damage the property's foundation and trusses within a short period. An inspection gives critical insights regarding the cause and extent of the infestation, ensuring you take immediate and appropriate action.

Pest inspections are a vital aspect of the property buying process. Many pests like to hide in dark places; hence it would be difficult for a prospective property buyer to determine if the property has a pest infestation. For example, rodents could damage expensive furniture and electrical wiring. A pest inspection enables you to determine whether the property is a worthy purchase and safe to occupy.

Have you or your family members suffered illnesses such as salmonellosis or tularemia? Food contamination originating from pests harbouring in your home could be a possible cause of these illnesses. A pest inspection goes a long way in protecting your household from such diseases.

Typically, the inspection verifies the existence of these pests, allowing you to take immediate and long-term interventions. For example, you should cover foods to prevent pest contamination. You should consider short-term pest control measures such as installing traps as you await professional pest treatment.

Who conducts pest inspections?

Pest inspectors and exterminators are professionals with the training and experience needed to inspect and treat pests. Consider these tips when hiring a pest inspector;

Consider locally based professionals since they understand the local pests and their infestation patterns.
Examine the inspector's insurance. The rule is that they should have general and professional liability coverage.
Assess the inspector's track record. Customer reviews will help you determine the success of the inspector's interventions.
Evaluate the price points of several inspectors and choose one offering quality services at a reasonable cost.

What happens during a pest inspection?

Pest infections don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach. When drafting an inspection protocol, the professional examines the area's climate, pests and risk factors. For example, if the location is prone to termites, the inspector checks the area around the property for termite nests that could cause an infestation.

The area's climate could also determine the pest risks. For instance, the spider population appear in spring and warm weather in certain parts of Australia. If you commissioned an inspection during this period, the inspector examines your property's susceptibility to a spider infestation. For instance, food sources and clutter around the property could attract spiders into your home.

The inspector often examines past inspection reports to establish the efficacy of the current pest control measures. For example, a physical or chemical termite barrier installed several years ago may no longer be functional. In this case, the inspector recommends measures to prevent an infestation.

What happens after the pest inspection?

After the inspection, the professional sends an inspection report detailing the level of pest infestation in your home. The report also points out pest risks and the long and short-term prevention measures you should consider. At your request, the professional conducts pest treatment, protecting your home from all kinds of pests.

Pest inspections are at the forefront of any pest treatment protocol. The assessment gives insights into the pests harbouring on your property and recommends various treatment options. When commissioning a pest inspection, the general rule is to ensure you work with accredited companies such as Champion Pest Control Pty Ltd. Contact our team today for all your commercial and residential pest inspection needs.

How Pest Infestations Threaten Your Health

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 19:33:46 GMT

Pest control is the regulation or containment of any species defined as pests. Different animals depend on human beings to survive, yet they are a nuisance. You do not need such petty issues in your life, especially when they pose a health threat to you and your loved ones. This piece discusses several threats posed by pests to your health and points out some common ways to control these pests.

Vector-Borne Diseases

One of the main dangers of pest infestation is the risk of vector-borne diseases . If pests raid your residence or workplace, you are at risk of Zika virus, rabies, and Lyme disease. Pests act as vectors for a variety of these and many other conditions, so ticks, rodents, mosquitoes, and other animals that invade your residence pose severe threats to your health.

Getting pest control experts is a great way to avoid vector-borne diseases. For example, laying traps for rodents is a sure way of avoiding Hantavirus, Tularemia, Salmonella, lymphocytic choriomeningitis and many more diseases. Therefore, ensure you get an expert to eliminate pests that are vectors for some of the conditions mentioned here.

Allergies and Asthma

Living with allergies and asthma can be traumatising. You might strive to avoid all triggers around your home or office. Still, having pests around might cause allergic reactions that directly threaten your life.

The best example of pests that cause allergic reactions is cockroaches. Even though these pests are easy to ignore, you may want to keep a keen eye on them if anyone in your home is prone to allergies. The saliva, shedding body parts, and faeces of cockroaches can trigger both allergies and asthma.

Allergens from cockroaches act like dust mites that aggravate symptoms when in the air. Therefore, getting pest control is an essential step in preventing allergic reactions for people and pets in your home. Ensure you watch for the presence of pests such as cockroaches and take the steps needed to control them.

Microbial Infections and Diseases

Different acellular particles and microorganisms such as prions, viruses, bacteria and protozoans cause infections in people. Most hospitals, food-processing plants, and clinics have various precautions for detecting and preventing the infestation and spread of pests. These institutions recognise the value of eliminating pests and the threat posed by microbial infections.

Microbial infections might result from attacks by lice, fleas, and bed bugs, which might transmit yellow fever, chikungunya virus, or dengue fever. These pests might also cause bacteria such as plague and Lyme disease. Other microbial problems from parasites may also include sleeping sickness, malaria, filariasis and leishmaniasis.

If you want to avoid these microbial diseases, ensure you have an expert get rid of pests in your residence.

Final Word

Most homeowners struggle with pest infestations since they consider pests to be a nuisance rather than a health risk. However, be aware that a pest infestation can cause life-threatening illnesses in your household. The easiest way to deal with pests is by asking professionals to conduct pest inspections quarterly, bi-annually, or annually depending on the susceptibility of your home to pest infestations.

During the inspection, the professional looks out for signs of pest presence in the attic, roof, insulation, foundation, basement, and the area surrounding your home. The inspector devises long-term strategies to keep pests away from your home. Moreover, they recommend hygiene practices that help control pests.

Having your pest control protocols in order could prevent anything from an asthma attack to a microbial infection. Finding the right fit pest treatment company can be a nerve-wracking experience. At Champion Pest Control, we pride ourselves on our possession of the experience and expertise required to conduct pest inspections and treatment. Contact our team today and let us help you eliminate pest infestations in your home.

Beware of These 6 Common Autumn Pests

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 00:19:29 GMT

As the seasons change, you will likely find yourself clearing house, organising your personal belongings or otherwise preparing for slightly cooler weather. One thing you should keep at the top of your seasonal to-do list: checking for pests and scheduling professional pest control solutions.

Below, discover the most common pests you will find in the autumn season and how you can determine if they are settling into or around your home.

1. Termites

Cooler weather usually welcomes several different species of termites, and these pests can wreak havoc on your home's overall structure. While termites feed on the wood in and around your property, you might not always see the damage right away. But do look for signs of external damage, such as weakened or damaged wood, holes, hollow sounds within the wood, sagging floors, and anything that looks like sawdust.

And if you have any piles of wood outside your home, look there, as these areas can invite termites near your home and even inside if they are next to or on your home.

2. Ants

Ants also like to settle and build colonies within wood piles, but they can also live in between brick or other portions of your home that offer them protection. Most commonly, you will see anthills around the outside of your property as the largest indicator that the area has been infested. But also look around your kitchen for signs of trailing food that ants may have left behind.

3. Carpet beetles

Carpet beetle larvae can damage any kind of textile, not just the flooring they are named after. If it is a natural fibre—including furniture upholstery and clothing—they will leave notable damage behind. You may also spot faecal remains and shed skins around affected areas.

4. Moths

Like carpet beetles, moths also love natural fibres. However, moths typically use these items to lay their eggs, and the larvae then eat these fibres after they have hatched. Moth larvae are pretty easy to spot: just look for any white caterpillar-looking insect within your wardrobe or other areas of your home with textiles. Aside from being very visible to the naked eye, moth larvae also cover their surroundings in silk webbing.

5. Cockroaches

You will often find roaches anywhere you have ample food and water for these creatures—even if it is unintentionally left there. And because cockroaches are professional escape artists who fly under the radar, spotting them can be difficult. A minor cockroach presence can become a larger infestation over the autumn and winter seasons.

Be on the lookout for the physical presence of roaches in addition to brown streaks throughout your home (cockroaches leave these behind if they have access to plenty of water), droppings that look like ground coffee and an odd odour that smells similar to must.

6. Garden pests

Some of the most common garden pests you may notice in your yard include caterpillars, slugs, snails and aphids. These pesky insects often use gardens as a food source, damaging all your hard work. Slugs and snails often leave a sticky, silver trail of goo behind in addition to chewed, damaged leaves.

Like moths, caterpillars can be equally as bothersome. These critters lay their eggs outdoors and are particularly harmful to cruciferous veggies such as cauliflower and broccoli. They will eat chunks of the leaves and leave the intact but damaged plant life behind.

Whether you have noticed signs of the above-mentioned pests or you simply want to ensure your property is consistently pest-free, get in touch with Champion Pest Control Pty Ltd . We will help you clear your home of any pests and rodents so you can continue enjoying your space year-round.

4 Telltale Signs That You Have a Cockroach Infestation

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 16:50:46 GMT

Cockroaches are a common pest in Australia, attracted to homes by warmth, moisture and food. They enjoy eating leftover food, as well as other substances like packaging and paper, and can multiply quickly. They also look and smell unpleasant, and can cause various health risks.

Because cockroaches are quite small and mostly active at night, you might find it difficult to know whether you have a cockroach problem. This guide gives four telltale signs that your home has a cockroach infestation, from seeing egg cases to seeing living bugs.

1. You've found cockroach droppings and egg casings

Cockroaches themselves are sometimes difficult to find because they like to live in warm, dark spaces. This means they may hide out under your sink or in your bathroom cabinet during the day, so you might not see them at first. However, their droppings and egg casings are telltale signs that you have a cockroach problem.

The droppings typically look like coffee grounds or pepper, but they can be as large as grains of rice. The more droppings you find, the more cockroaches are in your home. Egg cases are oval-shaped and brown and are a sign that cockroaches are breeding in your home. You can clean up droppings and egg cases yourself, but be careful and wear gloves while doing so.

2. You know your neighbours have cockroaches

Infestations, whether of rodents, termites or cockroaches, tend to spread easily from house to house. Therefore, if you know that your neighbours have been dealing with cockroaches, you should get a preliminary inspection of your home by a professional pest control company. This is especially true if you share garden space or a common hallway, porch or entrance.

Even if you don't think you have cockroaches, paying for an inspection is worth setting your mind at rest for your family's health–Better Health Channel explains that cockroaches can carry disease and can trigger allergies.

3. You can smell cockroaches

Cockroaches have their own smell, though it can be hard to recognise. Many people describe it as an oily and musty smell, which results from the oleic acids released by the roaches. This smell will get worse as the infestation multiplies.

If your home has a strange smell that you can’t explain in any other way, especially if it's paired with other signs, it might be another sign of cockroaches. If this is the only sign you have, speak to a pest control company about a full inspection.

4. You've seen a cockroach in your home

This might seem like an obvious sign, but it's often hard to tell the difference between a single cockroach and an infestation. If you've only seen one cockroach, you should look for more. As described above, cockroaches love places that are warm and moist. They are also much more active at night.

Try going into your bathroom or kitchen at night and quickly switching on the light to see if you can catch a glimpse of scuttling roaches, or look in your cupboards and under your sink for evidence of more cockroaches. If you aren't sure, or simply want peace of mind, get an expert to come out and look at your home— even if you only have a few roaches, it can easily develop into a full, problematic infestation over time.

Finding that you have a cockroach problem can be upsetting and worrying. However, you have many options to take care of this problem, as well as preventative strategies to help avoid future issues. If you notice any of these signs in your home or are worried about a potential cockroach problem, contact Champion Pest Control today to discuss your options.

4 Early Signs of a Rodent Infestation

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 14:23:34 GMT

Rodents can easily settle in your home without your knowledge. In fact, you might only detect their presence once they start to breed and create a serious infestation. By the time you realize the severity of a rodent infestation in your home, you may already have issues such as chewed electrical wires and contaminated surfaces.

Before things get out of hand, identify these telltale signs of a rodent infestation.

1. Rodent droppings

Rats and mice leave behind distinctive droppings that you can easily identify. You are likely to notice droppings long before you see these critters. You can expect to find droppings near food sources such as pantries and drawers. You could also find rodent droppings around the pests' nesting sites.

Depending on the appearance of these droppings, you can tell the type of rodent, severity of the infestation and the sites with the most pest activity. Mouse droppings are dark brown and about a half-centimetre long with pointed ends. Rat droppings, on the other hand, are at least a centimetre long. Fresh rat or mouse droppings are moist, shiny and dark. Old droppings appear hard, dusty and grey and tend to crumble when you touch them.

Remember to protect yourself if you decide to collect droppings you see on your floors and countertops. Use protective gloves and sealed plastic bags when you handle the fecal matter. Rodent droppings are known to transmit diseases such as Lassa fever, tularemia and murine typhus. So, do not sweep away or vacuum the droppings, as they may spread harmful pathogens to the rest of your home.

2. Strange noises

You are likely to hear strange noises at night if you have a severe rodent problem. Rodents are nocturnal creatures, which explains why they are so active at night.

Look out for the following noises that often suggest a rodent infestation:

Gnawing noises. Rodents constantly chew their way into new hiding spaces. You may hear gnawing noises as they chew on paper or wooden baseboards.
Scurrying or scratching noises. As mice and rats move from one place to another, they dig their claws into surfaces for a better grip. Therefore, expect scurrying noises as they hurry their feet in search of food.
Squeaking noises. At night, when everything is silent, rodent sounds are often much more conspicuous. You might hear squeaking sounds from your roof void as the critters interact in their nests.

At the first sign of a rodent infestation, call an exterminator to eliminate these unwanted pests. The experts can also inspect your home for suitable rodent hiding spots and locate any entry points.

3. Odd pet behaviour

Most pets have great hearing and an incredible sense of smell. Therefore, they can easily sense if rodents are present in your home. You may notice some unusual activity from your pet if they catch a whiff of these critters.

For instance, some dogs may stare and fixate on the rodent's active site. Other times, your dog could scrape the floor or scratch the wall vigorously if they sense anything unusual. Once you notice such odd behaviour, do not ignore your pet. Instead, ask your pest control service to inspect your home for further confirmation.

You need to act fast before a minor rodent infestation turns into a nightmare. Once you notice any of these signs, reach out to licenced exterminators like Champion Pest Control Pty Ltd as soon as you can. We can visit your property, look over the signs of rodent activity and provide treatment so that you can have peace of mind in your home. Please let us know of any questions or concerns you have.

3 Rodent Species You're Likely to Find in Your Home

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 02:23:11 GMT

Rodents can find their way into your home through cracks in the foundation, floors, and walls. Though there are many types of rodents, you can identify those in your home through their unique features and habitat preferences.

An experienced exterminator can draft and implement a proper rodent control plan once they confirm the identity of the unwelcome guest in your home. Learn more about the common household rodents that are likely to invade your space.

1. House mice

You're likely to find house mice in your kitchen, drawers, and cabinets––basically, anywhere with enough cover. These rodents are quite agile and can jump considerably high to access the food you store in your kitchen cabinets. Unfortunately, the mice can spread their droppings and contaminate anything you keep there.

House mice enter your home through holes as small as 15 millimetres in diameter. So, if you want to keep them off your property, seal all possible entry points with stainless steel mesh. Also, keep your food and trash inside a rodent-proof bin. Lastly, disinfect your house to eliminate the risks that mice droppings bring in order to maintain a safe home environment.

You should also check the exterior of your property for any potential entry points house mice could use to enter your home. If you have firewood, store it above the ground and away from your house. This way, the mice can't easily gain access to your home through the wood.

2. Roof rats

Otherwise known as ship rats or black rats, these rodents often nest in the upper areas of your home. The pads on their feet help them grab onto branches, trees, and telephone wires near your house. They use these things to gain access to your home.

Once roof rats enter your home, they settle in secluded spaces like the attic, cabinets, and false ceilings. These rodents also occupy laundry rooms, garages, patios, and swimming pools.

Roof rats often feed on fruits and nuts. However, if their preferred meal isn't available, they will eat almost anything they can get their hands on––including pet food, candle wax, and paper. In addition, as roof rats search for water, they might still chew through plastic pipes. Such structural damage to your pipes could cause water leaks that damage your home.

To avoid a roof rat infestation, get rid of food and water sources that attract these rodents. Also, make sure you block entryways that these rats could use to get into your home. For instance, you can put stainless steel mesh on your vent pipes. In doing so, roof rats can't use the vent pipes to access the attic or roof. Also, since roof rats are agile climbers, trim the branches closest to your house to block off any potential access points.

3. Norway rats

Unlike the roof rats, Norway rats aren't steady climbers. You will often find Norway rats hiding in the basement and crawl spaces. These rats leave grease stains on objects and walls as they move around. If they have invaded your home, you'll also notice gnaw marks on your furniture and pipes.

Since these rats survive on leftovers, be sure to empty your garbage bins regularly. You should use a secure lid for rubbish bins placed outside your house. Make sure you store your food in the refrigerator or seal them in containers.

Also, clean up crumbs or spills that could attract these rodents to your home. Ensure you close your doors and windows, especially at night since Norway rats are nocturnal. In addition, seal any gaps in your chimneys and use screen covers on your dryer vents.

An effective rodent control strategy ensures your property remains safe from accidents from electrical fires and severe structural damage. Contact Champion Pest Control today for the best rodent prevention techniques.

Is Your Home Safe From Termites? Tips to Protect Your House

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 01:34:05 GMT

Termites are pervasive pests in Perth and other areas of Western Australia. The pests damage wood structures extensively because they organise in colonies, and you are likely to notice a termite infestation after substantial destruction. Explore the tips below to keep termites away from your home.

Check for plumbing leaks

Plumbing leaks are common causes of termite infestation. The pests are readily drawn to moisture, and water leaks underneath the ground and behind your walls create an ideal breeding spot. A slow-leaking pipe also softens wood and creates a conducive environment for termites.

Some signs of water leaks include pooled water in the yard, slow drains, mould on the walls and unusually high water bills. Plumbing leaks are often not obvious, but professional leak detectors quickly identify the source and location of any leak.

Keep structural wood away from the ground

Wood-to-soil contact provides termites with access to shelter, food, moisture and direct entry to your home. Ensure that wood structures like siding, door frames and latticework are at least 70mm above the ground. Often, homeowners build decks or extensions against the side of the house and fix uprights directly into the soil. Such renovation projects can lead to termite infestations.

Maintaining a distance between wood and soil may mean using stones or cement to create physical barriers or regrading the soil around the house. Also, check hardware stores for metal stirrups that prevent timber structures from contacting the earth.

Put in chemical barriers

A chemical termite barrier is a chemically treated area that deters the entry of pests into your home. Pest control experts can spread the chemical under the concrete slab or around your building's perimeter. The termites take back the chemicals to their tunnels, resulting in the death of entire colonies.

The most common termite chemicals are Fipronil, Bifenthrin and Imidacloprid. While previous treatments lasted for decades, health concerns have favoured safer solutions with limited lifespans. Thus, pest control professionals need to reapply the treatment as the manufacturer advises. Also, check that the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority approves the termite treatment in use.

Keep woodpiles away from your house

Store firewood and wood debris away from your home's foundation and siding. In addition to offering a source of food for termites, stacked wood and cardboard boxes let the pests bypass treated soil and enter your home. Also, the wood outside can become damp and attracts termites. The dark and damp conditions that occur if you leave woodpiles in crawl spaces also invite termites into the house.

Clean up your home's surroundings

The vegetation around your house contributes to moisture and can result in termite infestation. Some prevention methods include keeping garden beds away from walls and not directing water too close to your home. When putting up fences or landscaping, use treated timber and inspect it regularly.

Mulch is another common cause of termite infestations. Avoid shovelling mulch off the side of the road as it may have termites. Instead, get treated mulch from a reputable supplier, and keep mulch levels lower than the slab edge and weep holes.

Inspect regularly

Termites can do large-scale damage before you realise you have an infestation. Most homeowners are disappointed when they discover that their general insurance policy doesn't cover termite attacks.

Regular inspection is ideal for preventing out-of-pocket repair costs due to termite activity. If you have never witnessed the damage these pests can cause, you are likely to miss warning signs.

Contact us at Champion Pest Control today if you are worried about termites damaging your home. We uncover hidden termite activity, carry out the required treatments and prevent future infestations.