Archive for the 'Pest Control' Category

Choose a Pest Control Solution that Considers the Safety of People, Pets, and Plants

Published on December 19, 2007 in General and Pest Control. 0 Comments

The very act of searching for the right pest control solution leads to many concerns, not the least of which is safety. Just finding pest damage can be quite disturbing, but once the shock has worn off, several questions begin to form; and many of them involve the safety of the things you care about the most:

  • Will the pest themselves cause structural damage to my home?
  • Can they be causing health issues for my family?
  • What kind of safety precautions are taken when implementing the pest control solution?

While concerns for the safety of your home and family are often the first considered, there are secondary worries, as well:

  • Will the pest control solution endanger my pets?
  • Are my plants in danger of being hurt or killed by either the pests or the pest control solution?
  • Are pesticides going to contaminate the water or soil around my home?

Of course the financial aspects of pest problems are troubling, but most of us are even more concerned about the safety of the people and animals we love. In today’s environmentally conscious world, we also want to be sure we’re safeguarding the planet on which we all live. While getting rid of the pests is often your first order of business, doing so safely can quickly become an even bigger issue.

When the safety of your family, pets, and plants is on the line, you’ll want to be sure to choose a professional company that is dedicated to these same concerns. There are many different pest control solutions available today, and the company you hire should be willing to take all of your worries and concerns into consideration when recommending the right one for your situation.

Keep in mind, though, that each situation is unique; so there is no one-size-fits-all pest control solution. Companies like Pink Pest Services will strive to offer you the best option, while keeping in mind the safety of your family, pets, and the environment. In some cases, for example, a fairly low-impact method of termite baiting might be the method of choice. Baiting stations use an insect growth regulator that is not poisonous, and the stations themselves are tamper resistant.

Pink Pest Services is proud to be an Australian-owned and operated business servicing the Sydney area. The fact that we are family-owned means that we are serious about pest control solutions that ensure the safety of your family and ours. When we say that we’re “family friendly,” we mean it. After all, we know that your pets and your property make up an important part of the family. Like you, we want to protect them all from the unwanted pests and from any safety threats that could have been caused by other pest control solutions.

Contact us about pest control solutions that are safe for your children, pets and plants.

No Tags

How To Prevent and Control Cockroach Infestations in Sydney

Published on December 19, 2007 in Cockroach Control, General and Pest Control. 0 Comments

Sydney is home to two major types of cockroach infestations: those of the big, ugly Australian variety and those of the smaller German cockroaches.

Despite their names, these insects are not necessarily associated with national geography, and can be found in any size or type of home. As cockroaches are known for their transmission of diseases and their contamination of food, it is in the best interest of every citizen of Sydney to prevent and control all cockroach infestations.

The ideal path to take is one of prevention. Like all living critters, cockroaches need a place to live, food, and water. In order to keep your Sydney property clean and free of cockroach infestations, the best approach is to deny them these three essentials.

Deny them a place to live:

  • Repair holes that give access to your home or living space. This includes those around water pipes, doors, and windows.
  • Put barriers over vents and floor drains. Obviously, air and water still need to be able to flow through these vessels. Use a barrier that is big enough to keep them running but small enough to keep the cockroaches out.
  • Keep clutter to a minimum. Cockroaches love to hide in boxes, piles of paper, wood piles, and garbage.

Deny them food:

  • Store all your food in air-tight containers. Never leave food uncovered (for cockroaches, garbage is food, so don’t leave that out either).
  • Try to keep your sink free of dirty dishes. Go one step further by rinsing everything once you are done using it.
  • Sweep or vacuum your kitchen often.

Deny them water:

  • Repair any leaking water sources.
  • Don’t leave standing water.

Unfortunately, even the most diligent preventative measures can’t keep all the cockroaches out of Sydney. We all know how hardy these insects are!

If a cockroach infestation does occur, you will have to control the problem. This includes not only ridding your home of the cockroaches currently residing there, but also taking steps to ensure that all eggs have been eliminated.

Chemical controls are the most widely used method of managing cockroach infestations. These have advantages and disadvantages. The obvious disadvantage is the averse effect some chemicals have on the living environment. The only way around this barrier is to use pest control companies that are trained in minimizing the risk to you and your family. Many commercially available insecticide sprays, dusts, aerosols, and baits are not ideal for this. Fortunately, Pink Pest Services only uses treatment agents that are safe for your home, children, pets, and even plants.

Cockroach infestations are not fun for anyone, and the method of ridding your home of every last insect and egg can be a timely process. This process is only drawn out when it is not done by a trained professional. If you’re struggling to keep your home completely free of cockroaches in the Sydney climate, the next best step is to use cockroach control services you know are safe and guaranteed.

Make Sure Your Sydney Pest Control Company Has PestCert Accreditation

Published on December 19, 2007 in General and Pest Control. 1 Comment

In Sydney, the field of pest control is open to two types of companies: those with PestCert accreditation, and those without. Current legislation allows anyone—even those businesses with only the most basic of qualifications—to become a part of the city’s pest control solution. While this is great in providing options for today’s savvy consumer, this same legislation doesn’t hold anyone up to much-needed quality standards. PestCert accreditation steps in where the legislation does not and helps ensure a focus on safety and quality.

Pest control is a field wherein public health and safety should always be primary factors. This is especially true considering the use of chemicals within residential and family dwellings.

Entire families, pets, communities, and the environment are at risk when pest control measures are not held to strict standards. Additionally, even the pests themselves can provide a public nuisance if they are not addressed professionally and effectively. For the protection of all, it is not enough for a company to simply claim experience; experience must be demonstrated on a consistent, long-term basis.

PestCert steps in to make up for the deficiencies of the existing policies regarding pest control in Sydney. As a not-for-profit accreditation program, PestCert was developed for the sole reason of making sure each pest control customer gets quality, professional care. It certifies only those companies that stay current in the field, especially regarding education, skills training, and customer service. Additionally, there is no underlying cost to the consumer for PestCert accreditation, and there are no ulterior motives in making sure that safety measures and a strict moral code are upheld.

As holders of PestCert accreditation, all organisations have a demonstrated history of knowledge and skills testing, a high level of public accountability, and continued education in the latest technology. This latter issue—that of staying abreast of current technologies (as well as possible deficiencies of old technologies)—is one of the most important ones facing pest management companies today.

While these alone are incentives enough to seek a pest control company with PestCert accreditation, there are also additional legal ramifications. PestCert steps in with legally binding conduct codes that certify safety and professionalism in all areas of pest control services. These codes include, but are not limited to, vehicle operation standards and equipment safety regulations.

All pest control consumers are strongly encouraged to make sure a company is PestCert certified before making any decisions. This can be done in three ways:

  • Look for the PestCert logo on the company’s paperwork or website
  • Call 07 3390 5228 to confirm the company’s accreditation status
  • Check the PestCert website at www.pestcert.com.au

As a proud member of the PestCert accreditation program, Pink Pest Services strongly encourages all consumers to take an active approach to their pest management solutions. Located right here in Sydney, we truly believe that for the safety of everyone and the best services for your dollar, no company should ever be hired without it.

,

Is Your Commercial Pest Control Company HACCP Compliant?

Published on December 19, 2007 in Commercial Pest Control, General and Pest Control. 0 Comments

When hiring a commercial pest control company, be sure to choose one that is HACCP compliant. This adds an extra level of safety and expertise to the work you need done in your home or business. There are many licenses, certifications, and qualifications that a technician and his or her pest control company can earn; and being HACCP compliant is one of the areas that should be taken into consideration when making your choice.

HACCP stands for “Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point”, and becoming HACCP compliant means understanding and demonstrating the seven principles of specific guidelines that have been created to keep food safe for human consumption. When working with pest control agents of different kinds, it is important for a pest control company to have a clear understanding of how to keep people and their food safe. Businesses do this by creating a HACCP plan that includes the seven principles:

  1. Conducting a hazard analysis before the project begins.
  2. Determining “control points”, or the steps during which chemical factors can be controlled.
  3. Establishing a maximum and minimum value at which the pest control agents need to be maintained to avoid food safety hazards.
  4. Establishing monitoring procedures.
  5. Being prepared to take corrective action if needed.
  6. Creating and following procedures that show the validity of the plan that is in place.
  7. Keeping accurate and appropriate records and documentation.

The focus of these principles is to have procedures in place to keep food safe at every step of the process. It is not just enough to test when the work is finished and discover that a mistake has been made. Each step in the plan involves predicting or testing outcomes. The processes and procedures needed for a pest control company to be HACCP compliant are incredibly complex, and this is why you should investigate any company you hire and ensure that they have the proper training in this area.

The principles become especially important in treating businesses or facilities that are directly a part of the food industry. Pest control companies must be well-trained and prepared to work in these environments in a way that protects the public’s food supply.

Factories, warehouses, and restaurants in the Sydney area, for example, would need to be especially aware of the need for a pest control company that is HACCP compliant. In fact, hiring a commercial pest control company may well be part of that business’ own HACCP plan. The two work hand-in-hand to protect the integrity of the food being distributed to the people of Sydney.

With more than 30 years’ experience working with private sector and government clients, and a number of accreditations and qualifications, Pink Pest Service is a pest control company that can offer you the peace of mind of creating a HACCP compliant plan to meet your needs.  Read more about our commercial pest control services here.

, ,

Bedbug Infestation Makes a Resurgence in Sydney – Here’s How You Can Fight Back

Published on December 19, 2007 in Bedbug Control and Pest Control. 0 Comments

There are few images more sacred than the comfort, relaxation, and cleanliness of a bed that is free from a bedbug infestation. After a long, hard day, nothing is more appealing than the thought of curling up in the one place where all the world’s problems fade into the background. Many people—from homeowners to travelers looking for a reputable hotel—look forward to the comfort in store for them at the end of the day. So what happens when a bedbug infestation ruins that comfort?

According to a recent survey of Australian pest management companies, the prevalence of bedbug infestation in Sydney has increased by 5,000 percent in the last few years. Due to the reproductive abilities of these major pests, this is a number that won’t decrease unless the infestations are tackled head-on.

Although any dwelling can fall prey to a bedbug infestation, the industry most impacted by this recent pest insurgence is the hospitality trade. Bedbugs, tiny insects that feed off of the blood of humans and other hosts, are often carried in the luggage of unsuspecting travelers. With an increase in Sydney’s international reputation comes a multitude of travelers and potential carriers. Unlike these travelers, bedbugs don’t discriminate when it comes to the size or magnitude of a hotel. Five stars mean nothing to these hungry little critters; and each and every hotel in Sydney has the potential to experience an infestation of its own.

Contrary to popular belief, bedbugs cannot be controlled through cleanliness alone, and they aren’t restricted to just beds. Infestations can happen anywhere and at any time. In most cases, attempts to control bedbug infestations by non-specialist pest control providers only delay the care of a problem that needs attention now—especially when a hotel’s reputation and accountability are at stake.

To successfully eradicate these little pests, it takes specialised training and equipment. Bedbugs are known for being hard to find and catch; many pest control companies don’t have the means to detect them, let alone eradicate them. In fact, until recently, bedbugs took a backseat in terms of priority to many other pest infestations, and very few companies have been able to stay abreast of the best ways to fight back against bedbugs.

In addition, the latest techniques in chemical and steam treatments are needed to eliminate bedbug infestations thoroughly enough to ensure there isn’t a repeat occurrence.

With 30 years of experience and intensive training in the use of the necessary equipment, Pink Pest Services is one of the few companies in Sydney capable of eliminating bedbug  problems for good. Visit our website for more information on bedbug treatment in Sydney.

,

The Top 3 Questions to Ask when Choosing a Termite Control Company in Sydney

Published on December 18, 2007 in Pest Control and Termite Control. 0 Comments

Choosing a termite control company can be a real blow to any homeowner’s sense of security. First of all, running across those nasty little bugs often brings with it a sense of having your home invaded, which can leave anyone feeling annoyed and taken advantage of. Secondly, the discovery inevitably leads to the question of how to find a termite control company that won’t take advantage of you for a second time. In order to protect your home—and your wallet—take the following into consideration when choosing a termite control company that is right for the job.

#1. Do the company and its pest control technicians have the proper training, licensing, and certifications for the job?

This should be your number one criteria in choosing a termite control company. Any pest control technician working in New South Wales is required to be licensed by Work Cover.

If your technician doesn’t have this license, then you should definitely find a more reputable company to work on your home. While there isn’t a legal standard requiring pest control technicians to have specialised training in termite control, utilizing one who does is definitely in the best interest of your home and your family. Ask if the technician is qualified in Unit 8 and 10 of the National Pest Management Competency Standards.

Additionally, you may be more comfortable choosing a termite control company that is a member of the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association (AEPMA). Members of the group are held to a code of ethics, and there is a complaint system in place if you feel the company has breached these ethics.

#2. Is the pest control company properly insured?

You’ve just discovered that your home has been attacked, and you’re looking for a solution, not more problems. Ensure you’re choosing a termite control company that won’t leave you high and dry if something goes wrong. If the company answered “yes” to question number one, then you’ve already managed to protect yourself to a large degree. Still, be sure to enquire about insurance when making your choice. In addition to having Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance, you want to check that all of their policies are current. They should be able to provide certificates of proof.

#3. Does the pest control company have a good record of service?

One of the best methods for determining if you’re choosing a termite control company that will meet your needs is to take a look at its reputation. First of all, how long has the company been in business?

If the company you’ve chosen has been in the pest control game for quite some time, then that is a sign that they have satisfied their customers time and again.

But don’t just take the company’s word for it, go ahead and ask the customers yourself. A good business understands the importance you place on choosing a termite control company that will do a great job, and will therefore be willing to give you a list of references to contact. You might even find the right company by talking to friends and neighbors and seeing who they refer. Those who have had good experiences will let you know, and those who have had bad experiences will let you know LOUDLY!

Needing to find a pest control company is not an enviable position, however, knowing about the problem is definitely a step in the right direction. After all, you can’t solve a problem you don’t know exists. Be sure to avoid any future surprises, though, by asking these three questions when choosing a termite control company.

Pink Pest Services can answer “yes” to all these questions, so give us a call for termite and pest control solutions in Sydney.

,
Home | Services | Testimonials | FAQ | About Us | Contact Us
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Site Map | External Resources

© 2005-7 Pink Pest Services