Archive

Tips to Keep Your Home off the Termite Radar

Published on December 5, 2009 in General, Termite Baiting, Termite Control, Termite Inspections and Termites. 0 Comments

Surprising as it may be, the humble termite can cause more devastation to your home than even a fire. Termites have been around as long as we have and there’s no reason to assume that they’re going anywhere anytime soon.

The homes facing the biggest risk from termite infestation are older homes or homes which have not been well kept. Termites are also a threat to new homes, especially in areas where trees have been cleared to make room for new construction. When you have termites in the immediate area, they will likely be more than happy to relocate to your home! Even homes with brick or concrete underpinnings or slabs are at risk.

There are considered to be two basic types of termite, those that seek burrows in the earth and those that live in dry wood. Prevention is seen as the most effective method of protecting your home, so a proactive stance is essential. To protect your property against pest invasions the following measures may help:

- Prevent standing water from gathering around your home – this can attract termites and other pests.

- Make sure to keep your rain gutters and spout cleaned out. Install splash guards to direct water away from your home.

- Keep your home dry – make sure that your attic, basement and crawlspaces are kept dry. Plastic moisture barriers are a good way to keep termites out of your home.

- Have leaky pipes and other plumbing issues taken care of straightaway.

- Keep any foundation cracks repaired to thwart the invading hordes of termites that may have plotted a course for your home.

- Always keep wood free from contact with the soil, if you have wooden underpinnings you can have these areas treated to help prevent termites from setting up residence. Wooden steps or supports should always be on some type of concrete base.

- Never have firewood or lumber lying on the ground near the home structure.

- Keep plants away from your home. This includes vines, shrubs and trees. These plants provide a great entry point for termites to infiltrate your home from.

- Keep your home as finely maintained as possible. Make sure that the paint on the exterior surfaces is kept in good condition. Keep vents screened to keep out the flying pests.

- Before buying a home have it thoroughly inspected and follow up with yearly inspections. Stopping termites before they can become established in your home is the best way to protect yourself.

If you do find that you have a termite or other pest infestation on your hands, get professional help right away. Professional pest management companies can recommend the best plan of action and help you correct the situation. Your home is your most valuable asset, so protecting it should be one of your top priorities.

No Tags

Why You Need A Specialist To Rid Your Home Of Cockroaches

Published on November 15, 2009 in Cockroach Control and General. 0 Comments

Hopefully cockroaches aren’t a problem you have to contend with every day, but if you’ve been seeing them around a lot as of late, you’ll need to get some professional help. You can use all of the insect bombs and other products you like, but they’ll just be back again before you know it. How can we be so sure of this? We know because Pink’s Sydney Termite Control has been around for some time now and we know everything there is to know about mice, rats, termites, fleas, cockroaches and any other household pests.

We’re here to help you solve your problems, but you may still want to try your hand at eliminating the problem yourself. We’d like to ask you what you know about the anatomy and the lifecycle of cockroaches – the less you know (and you probably know less than you think), the less likely you are to be able to handle them on your own.

Cockroaches are one of the toughest living creatures on the planet. Even with their head cut off, cockroaches can live for almost a year! This kind of durability may be admirable, but it certainly doesn’t work in the homeowner’s favor. They’re one of the most difficult pests to eradicate; which is why a cockroach problem calls for the help of a professional service like Pink’s Sydney Termite Control.

After all, if there was ever a nuclear explosion, the termites would survive while the human race would just evaporate. While we’re not going to go into detail about it, this is a fact when it comes to how hard cockroaches are to kill. If you’ve tried using most of the retail store chemicals to kill off your cockroach problem, you know exactly what we’re talking about.

A true service will come out to your home, assess the problem, and then take the appropriate action to eliminate it completely. While you may think all exterminator companies take this approach, it’s simply not the case. In fact, most companies will only try to get rid of the adult cockroaches running from room to room. However, Pink’s Sydney Termite Control gets to the root of the problem, which means finding the eggs and using the chemicals on them.

We could go on and on about why you need a specialist to do the job, but if you feel the need to take another stab at it is our guest. Just keep in mind that cockroaches can hold their breath for as long as 45 minutes. This means when you use spray or house bombs to counteract them, they can simply keep from breathing until there is a safe place to get fresh air. Did you know that?

So if you want to learn more about the cockroach, how it goes through its day, and what you can do to get rid of them, let Pink’s Sydney Termite Control help you. In the end you will be able to save money, time, and all those headaches you’ve had up until this point. Plus, your family will be safe from getting sick by these little creatures or the chemicals you’re using now.

If you’re concerned about any of these common pests and need some help exterminating them, you can contact Pink Pest Services for professional pest control in Sydney or call 02 9529 5222 for immediate assistance.

No Tags

Buying a Home? Ten Facts You Must Know About Termites

Published on November 5, 2009 in Commercial Pest Control, General, Pest Control, Termite Baiting, Termite Control, Termite Inspections and Termites. 0 Comments

Termites! They are everywhere and in Australia they are a real problem. A little known fact is that there are areas in Sydney that are termite-prone. If your home is located in one of these zones then you should have regular inspections scheduled. Another thing to keep in mind is if you are planning on purchasing a new home in Sydney then you need to make sure that the previous owners has been working to combat any such termite problem, because the last thing you need is to take on a big problem that can get much worse.

The fact of the matter is that you need to have pest control in your home in Sydney no matter if you own a home or if you are paying rent. Here are 10 termite facts that you must know, especially if you think you don’t need to take any precautionary action.

1. The termite menace is on the rise in Australia and the financial damages are phenomenal. Every year Australians lose millions of dollars in termite damage.

2. The estimate for new termite damage is about 130,000 homes each year. There are about 20% of homes damaged by termites in Australia.

3. The losses reported from termites are five times more that the losses seen from a combination of flood, fire and storms.

4. Coptotermes Acinaciformis (subterranean) and Kolatermes (dry wood termites) are the most common termite species in Sydney. These termites are well known for attacking structures that are brick and steel as well as those that are timber framed.

5. Termites develop a liking for building materials that are increasingly used in the construction of homes.

6. One averaged sized termite colony can chew up a room’s floor in just 3 months – yes, termites have quite an irrepressible appetite.

7. Termites do not stop when they eat the wood leading inside. Once there they begin to eat other things such as shoes and clothing, your furniture and even the electrical wiring.

8. If you attempt to rid your home of termites then you can actually cause more damage. Termites are smart and they know how to burrow into the soil to a safer place and once the poisons you have placed are no longer harmful they will return to their food source in your home and continue with their destruction with even more brute force. So the best thing you can do is leave the exterminating to the experts.

9. Most people know that you can detect termites by tapping on wood with a screwdriver handle. However what most don’t realize is that even doing that could cause the wood to crumble and give way. This will disturb the termites and will limit the options for treatments.

10. Not just anyone is qualified to treat termites, only those that have experience and have been trained in the specialised area of termites.

If you intend on purchasing a home in Sydney or if you already have one then you need to hire a pest control agency with termite specialists who knows these destructive creatures like the back of their hands. If you don’t then you are only placing your home and health in peril.

If you’re concerned about any of these common pests and need some help exterminating them, you can contact Pink Pest Services for professional pest control in Sydney or call 02 9529 5222 for immediate assistance.

No Tags

How to Win Hide and Seek Against Cockroaches

Published on October 22, 2009 in Cockroach Control, Commercial Pest Control, General and Pest Control. 0 Comments

No one likes cockroaches.  They’re large, quick-moving, insidious pests that can quickly take over your house.  They eat human food and pet food, and carry microbes on their bodies that can be potentially dangerous to people, including tropomyosin, which has been linked with asthma.  Finding one may be a sign that you have an infestation somewhere in your house.

We have all heard that cockroaches are hard to kill, but is it true?  The answer, unfortunately, is yes.  They can survive for a month without food, and some can go without any air for over half an hour.  This can make it difficult to get rid of them once you’re infested, and they’re also very hard to find.  A cockroach can fit into small crevices, some as tight as half a millimeter!  So how do you know if you have cockroaches?

They’re very hard to sneak up on, since the cockroach has a nerve running from their tail to their head that allows them to know quickly if there’s something coming up behind them.  But there is one good way to catch them, and that’s with light.  Cockroaches are nocturnal by nature, so it’s easy to find their hiding places.

First, enter a dark room very quietly, taking your time and moving slowly.  Then, simply flip on the lights and watch as the cockroaches run for the dark places.  They may hide behind your sinks, under cupboards and cabinets, or even inside of them, behind loose baseboards, beneath furniture, behind a mirror or picture hung on the wall, and of course, beneath beds, in closets, and in basements and attics.

Once they enter your house it’s hard to keep them away, but there are steps you can take to keep them from coming in.  First, don’t leave food out.  Wash your dishes, clean up all food and liquid spills, sweep and clean in the dark corners of your house often, and store your food in tight, pest-proof containers.  Roaches like to hide in cardboard boxes and woodpiles, so keep your firewood stacked away from the house.

Seal up any cracks in your foundation and walls, as well as those in your walls, floors, and ceilings.  Refresh the seals and caulking around your windows, tubs, and sinks as well as around any plumbing fixtures, furnaces, and outlets.  After all, they can squeeze through tiny, tight spaces, and will do so to get to food and shelter.

But how do you take care of them if you are infested?  There are a variety of bait traps out there, though the ones using boric acid, or containing hydramethylnon gel are the most effective.  Any bait with an egg killer agent can help you reduce the cockroach population in your house.  However, while these are useful against the occasional roach, what do you do against a full infestation?

To truly remove a cockroach infestation from your house, you should hire a professional extermination service.  They have more tools at their disposal to take care of the problem, the ability to answer your questions, and a guarantee that you won’t find in a small boxed trap.  Exterminators can also tell you if you have more than just roaches.

Cockroaches are hardy, clever pests that wreak havoc on homes around the world.  Preventing them takes only common sense, but getting rid of them takes the knowledge and experience that a professional can bring.  If you think you may have an infestation, rather than play a game of hide and seek with cockroaches, win!  Call an experienced and professional exterminator and get rid of the roaches forever.

If you’re concerned about any of these common pests and need some help exterminating them, you can contact Pink Pest Services for professional pest control in Sydney or call 02 9529 5222 for immediate assistance.

No Tags

Are Termites Eating Away Your Number 1 Asset Without you Knowing About it?

Published on October 5, 2009 in General, Termite Baiting, Termite Control, Termite Inspections and Termites. 0 Comments

Your home may be at risk right now from a menace which won’t make its presence apparent until the most serious damage has already been done.  Termites are a problem which cost five times as much in terms of damage than all natural disasters and fires taken together. There are, however some ways to identify a termite infestation. These insects are hardy and will change their habits to meet the conditions they find themselves in – this is why it’s important to get a professional inspection to determine whether or not your home is at risk.

A single colony of termites can do great damage to your home or your commercial building. Without being inspected, it is nearly impossible to tell that you have a termite infestation – until your building has been seriously damaged. There are risks to your building beyond structural damage; termites can create a fire hazard by damaging the coating which protects your wires. Termites cause a lot of damage to your home and can create a threat to the lives of you and your family.

And it’s not just wood that termites are after – they will eat just about anything, even furniture and clothes! Just imagine putting your hand into your pocket and finding a termite eating away at your clothes!

The number one investment you have is your home or business. To protect this investment, you should try to keep it free of the threat of termites. One thing to look for is the telltale sign that termites are digging channels in the wood of your walls. Look for any ridges in walls which come up from the ground as well as in your foundation. These are the channels created by termites as they literally eat away at your home.

Packed earth on the foundation walls is another sign of termite infestation. A build up of earth will often be left by termites where the flooring meets the joists in your home. You should also check spider webs for termite wings. There are even some sounds and odors which may be due to termites.

You should look for prevention as the primary means of dealing with termite infestation. Termites can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home in as little as three months, making regular termite inspections of crucial importance. Especially if there has been a infestation nearby, you should have your home inspected at least once per year. If you live in Sydney, you must be especially careful – keep in mind that termites will move around and you certainly don’t want these uninvited guests showing up for dinner since your home is on the menu!

If you find any signs of an infestation, contact a specialist immediately. If you try to deal with them without professional help, they may simply go deeper into the soil and wait; breeding and waiting for the right moment to return.

If you suspect that your home may already have termites, or you just want to make sure and give yourself a little peace of mind, get a professional to help.  Pink Pest Services have fully trained and certified termite specialists that can assess your problem or let you relax knowing your valuable asset is safe.

Pink Pest Services uses state of the art equipment like fibre optics and thermal imaging to detect termite infestation. If they find termites, they will devise a plan to rid your building of the threat. If Pink Pest Services find nothing, you’ll be able to rest easier knowing your woodwork is termite free.

If you live in Sydney, you should have your home inspected at least once a year. Before buying a new home or commercial property, always bring in an expert such as Pink Pest Services – this can save you thousands of dollars; when it comes to termites, an ounce of prevention is certainly better than a pund of cure.

No Tags

Why do Termites Eat Houses and How do I Stop them Eating Mine?

Published on September 14, 2009 in General, Pest Control, Termite Baiting, Termite Control, Termite Inspections and Termites. 0 Comments

We absolutely love when people ask us why termites eat their homes. Keep in mind they don’t do it because of the irritation it’s causing you, but because it’s good for them! Seriously, how can wood be nutritional to any entity? It’s a debatable subject, but Pink’s Sydney Termite Control has been dealing with these issues for years. The goal is to help you understand how the pest works, then what needs to be done in order to eliminate the problem.

However, this doesn’t mean setting a trap on the floor and hoping they will all run to its location. Termites are a lot smarter then people give them credit for, which is why you should think about having a reputable exterminating company on your side. Oh, and if you’re still wondering what they do with this entire wood, wait until you read the answer we give you.

See, termites have enough microorganisms in their body to turn the wood they’re gnawing on into a nutritional diet. We definitely don’t suggest trying it, but the point is they can feast upon wood for as long as needed until it’s time to go elsewhere. Even if you’ve tried pesticides, enough servings of this from your home and they can become immune to it.

The only true way to get rid of termites permanently is by getting rid of the nest. Unfortunately, this is extremely difficult to find. The biggest problem will revolve around trying to contain the issue before their population expands. Why? Well, once you hit a certain timeline, they could destroy the inner walls of your home and bring on a costly reconstruction project.

Do you really want to take that risk? Of course not, and Pink’s Sydney Termite Control doesn’t want you to either. You may be sitting there thinking, “Eh, you’re just trying to sell me,” but the fact of the matter is this is a necessity if you don’t want long term problems. Just take a step back and think about it for a moment. Would you rather pay for a complete overhaul on your home, or trust the people who have been getting rid of termites for years?

Sure, once everything is all said and done you may need a little reorganising of your home, but every situation is unique. Even if you have a complete infestation, it’s a much easier process to call someone like us then it is making a phone call to you builder. The end result is thousands of dollars out of your pocket.

If we can educate you on everything a termite does regarding their feeding habits, where they enjoy nesting, and the appropriate steps to eliminate them, you’ll feel more comfortable using Pink’s Sydney Termite Control. After all, it’s in our name and we’ve been helping individuals just like you for a very long time.

, , , , ,

You Make Your Money When You Buy Property and You Can Lose it too

Published on August 5, 2009 in Commercial Pest Control and General. 0 Comments

Property investment is something which is attracting more and more people to the world of investing every single day. A lot of money can be made in this way, as long as you invest carefully. The potential profits are large in property investment, but so are the potential losses.

Here you will find some key information about potential problems that come with property investment. This will give you the knowledge to enable you to make right choices and make the most profit from your property investments.

First Things First – What Can go Wrong?

Let’s say that you’ve found that perfect property to invest in. It seems ideal and you can visualize the potential profits which the property can offer. You’ve got the cash on hand, you know they’ll accept your offer and you already have ac clear idea of what you will do with the property – so what can go wrong? The answer, sadly, is a lot!

Mr. Booth has just purchased his ideal investment property. Listed for $150,000, he managed to negotiate a closing deal of $120,000. Situated in an ideal location, the property is likely to bring in $180,000 at least once the required changes have been made. The changes themselves are minimal. Mr. Booth inspected the property himself and though he did find some problems, they seemed to only to be cosmetic – nothing that a few coats of paint and a few replacement lights wouldn’t fix. However, a month after the property had been purchased Mr. Booth noticed that the walls had become damp. After calling out an expert, he found out that the original owner had not repaired a leaky pipe. The pipe had started to leak more than ever and it had caused serious damage. It would cost thousands of dollars to repair as the pipes needed to be ripped out and replaced and a mould problem had developed which also needed eliminating.

The above is just one example of what can go wrong. There are so many unexpected problems that can arise from property investment that many people just do not consider. Other common potential problems include:

The cost of the property exceeds the selling costs

There are hidden problems with the property

Ending up with a property which is different than expected

Becoming emotionally involved with the property

Failing to recognize the competition

The above are just a few of the most common potential property investment problems. There are many more that you should also become aware of if you want to ensure that you make the right choices. So just how can you avoid making these mistakes?

Hiring a Professional

The easiest and sure-fire way to ensure that you do not fall for the most common potential property investment problems is by hiring a professional.

Hiring a property inspector is very helpful; they will give the property a thorough look and let you know what the problems are with the property, helping you to plan for investments. They can also give you information on the energy efficiency of the property and whether it is in compliance with building regulations.

You put a lot of money into investment properties so it makes sense to do things properly. By hiring a professional you will avoid making the mistakes that so many property investors make and therefore you will earn the most profits.

No Tags

Preparing Fish Tanks For Your Pest Control Appointment

Published on July 21, 2009 in Pest Control. 0 Comments

The importance of protecting our homes from pests cannot be over-emphasized. Living in an insect-free home is optimal and protecting the largest investment we make a must. In today’s real estate market we employ every selling advantage and cannot let the sale of our property be undermined by pests.

We choose to keep safe our selves, our families, and our cherished pets with regular pest control inspections and appropriate management. On treatment day some of us are off to work, some to school, and the pooch and kittens are in the garden – all set! Oops – not so fast. What about the beautiful, meditation-inducing exotic fish in the aquarium; and let’s not forget Fluffy the tarantula or Judy the bearded dragon in your son’s room.

These finned and multi-legged friends of the family must be protected on pest control day. The most important reason to safeguard these creatures is that they are indeed a part of the family and loved by one and some (Sorry, Fluffy.). Another important reason to keep these unique pets safe is that veterinarian visits are expensive, and replacement would be a high-priced endeavor.

There are some pest control companies who will tell you the chemicals used are safe for humans and therefore safe for fish and other aquarium-dwelling pets. Not so. Consider that we humans have biologically precious little in common with these cold-blooded swimmers and crawlers. What we as humans are able to withstand does not speak to what these critters can.

Consider how a chemical cocktail designed to kill insects, their eggs and larva might do no harm to fish and other small cold-blooded beings. This seems unlikely because it is. When preparing your home for pest control be mindful of all your pets. How might this be done? So glad you asked.

To begin, cover the aquarium and filter with a towel or sheet and double up if the fabric you are using appears permeable. Seal the fabric to the outside of the tank leaving no gaps for a flow of air to enter the filter. The chemicals used are air-bourn and can waft up into the filter and ultimately be worked into the aquarium water. This is why covering the filter is so important. However, be very careful when covering the filter; if the power is on the warmth from the covered motor may be a fire hazard.

Another word of caution. Please cover or remove all food from the area being treated. If you’ve purchased six-legged delicacies for Judy’s mid-day snack, hide them somewhere. The pest-control professionals have a difficult time differentiating a bug from an item on the menu.

Along with moving the food from the area being treated, be sure to also remove or cover any fish or reptilian supplies used in their care. The water buckets, filter equipment, tubes, nets, and feeding utensils should be kept separate during the treatment as well to avoid contact with the air in the location being treated.

Following these simple steps to safeguard your aquarium-dwelling pets will ensure their safety during the pest control process and provide you with peace of mind.

No Tags

Why Cockroaches Will Survive A Nuclear Explosion

Published on June 15, 2009 in Cockroach Control. 0 Comments

It may be hard to believe such a tiny creature could actually survive a nuclear explosion, but it’s the truth. Obviously you can’t just take our word for it, but if you understand the differences between humans and cockroaches, we’ll be able to paint you a better picture. Well, Pink’s Sydney Termite Control explained it to us the best.

As a human, we can only withstand around 5 rems of radiation before our body’s tissue starts to deteriorate. So if a nuclear explosion came along; POOF, we’re gone. However, the abilities of a cockroach to withstand one are unbelievable. In fact, they have the ability to withstand anywhere from 67,500 rems to over 100,000. Big difference right?

These levels are equivalent to the rems produced by a thermonuclear explosion!

The point is its not easy getting rid of these little pests unless you find a reputable company. They should know everything about a cockroach that will give you the upper hand in eliminating the problem once and for all. This is why you should listen to Pink’s Sydney Termite Control. Not only will they be able to provide information like this, but also help you get rid of your cockroaches for good.

One of the first things that they’ll do is ask questions about your situation. It’s important to understand that every household is unique and getting rid of them all will be a difficult task. However, unlike many other companies who try to rid you of only the adults, we make sure they eliminate the eggs as well. This way you won’t have to deal with baby cockroaches surfacing over the next few months.

Seriously, if you’re trying to get rid of your problem, why try to do it alone. It’s like decapitating a cockroach if you take this route. Oh, by the way if you do take the head off a cockroach, it will still be able to live for several weeks without food and water. Crazy right? Well, these are the types of things you need to know when you’re dealing with cockroaches.

Granted you’re probably not going to have a thermonuclear explosion in your area anytime soon (which would make the cockroaches happy), but you’ll probably have children, friends, and family over and you don’t want them to be exposed to the cockroaches. The truth of the matter is you don’t want to sit on this problem. You need to take action and let Pink’s Sydney Termite Control help you.

Did you know a cockroach can live without any food for months, just by taking advantage of the glue on the back of your postage stamps? We can get rid of them …. now.

No Tags

10 questions to ask before choosing a pest control company

Published on March 4, 2009 in Pest Control. 0 Comments

Pest Control is a necessary part of keeping your home safe and hygienic but there’s a few things to think about before you select a service.

1- Are the chemicals safe for humans to breath?
A great deal of testing goes into developing these products so as to ensure they are safe for humans. In some cases, the chemicals that are used are not even classified as poisons. While it is best to limit one’s exposure to the fumes these chemicals may emanate, they really do not pose a health hazard to humans.

2- Are my plants safe?
The chemicals will not present a serious danger to any plants in your home. Additionally, your plants will not be sprayed with the chemicals so they will not absorb anything through their leaves or soil.

3- Do I need to move or cover pets such as turtles, fish, reptiles etc
Yes, it is very important to prevent overexposure to these chemicals. Direct exposure to such chemicals can be poisonous to fish. You must cover all fishtanks or reptile enclosures.

4- How much experience do you have?
The company you choose should have extensive experience in all kinds of pest control, with licenses and training visible to the customer. Ask for qualifications and licences before making your decision.

5- How long do I have to stay out of my home/business for?
Believe it or not, in 90% of all instances it is not necessary to leave the premises when it is being sprayed. There are a few exceptions to this rule. Namely, pregnant women and small children should stay out of the vicinity for at least four hours.

6- How do I get a quote before selecting a company?
It is certainly helpful to receive a comprehensive quote in order to find the right service for your needs and all pest control providers should give you a quote up front to prevent nasty surprises. You don’t want to receive a massive bill at the end for jobs which you didn’t actually need.

7- I have asthma and am allergic to many chemical fumes, can I use your service?
Yes, you can still use our service and it is advised you take a few simple precautionary measures. Namely, those with allergies should also exit the premises for at least one hour to avoid any problems. This is usually all that is necessary to avoid such problems.

8- Are the chemicals you use dangerous?
Most pest control companies use very mild chemicals, selected specifically for their effectiveness on bugs, termites, rodents and other pests. The chemicals are generally only dangerous to insects and small animals, but not for humans, but you should always ask.

9- How long will the treatment last?
The effect of the treatment can last for several years or it can even be permanent. However, to ensure that the problem does not repeat itself, it is best to take advantage of our comprehensive examination of the property. This way, your selected company can root out any nests and make sure the termites are never able to return.

10- Do you offer a guarantee or warranty?
A good pest control company will offer a warranty or guarantee. That means that if the termites return to your premises, they should return as well.

No Tags
Home | Services | Testimonials | FAQ | About Us | Contact Us
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Site Map | External Resources

© 2005-10 Pink Pest Services