Geelong Pest Control

FAQs

Here are the answers to common FAQ'S for our most common treatments.

Slider

FAQs

I have a possum entering my property, what can you do?

Unfortunately, there isnโ€™t a lot we can do if a possum is entering your backyard or your garden as they arenโ€™t classified as a pest, they are a protected species and technically within their natural habitat. In this scenario, what we do recommend is a scarecrow sprinkler system which is designed to repel possums using a motion sensor that is activated by body heat, setting off a burst of water and noise. The only time Geelong Pest Control interfere with possums is if they are entering a dwelling, such as roof voids or subfloors.

How do I know if I have a possum entering my roof void?

Generally, the first sign is experiencing noise from within the roof void. As a rule of thumb, you will usually hear possums on two occasions. At dusk, they will exit the roof to go foraging for food and water and again at dawn, when they return from foraging to sleep throughout the day. Possums are much larger than rodents so make slower, heavier movements throughout the roof as opposed to the typical light scratching and scurrying noises rodents produce.

Why can't you catch and release possums?

Possums are a protected species under the Wildlife act, therefore, are not technically a pest and as a result it is illegal to harass or interfere with possums. This includes trapping them, although there are some exceptions there are very strict guidelines in place which if not
adhered to can result in fines up to and exceeding $44,000 and/or 2 years imprisonment. Please note that as an un-authorised agent under the DELWP it is illegal for a pest controller to trap possums. Possums are also extremely territorial and as a result can only be released no more than 50 metres from where they are caught.

How does possum proofing work?

Our technicians will assess where the possums are entering your roof void and find all possible entry points. We will then install a one-way door on to the main entry point and proof up all other possible entry points. It can take a few days for the possum to leave the cavity as they have an incredible sense of smell and will smell our scent on the door however, eventually they will need to leave to find food and water. Once they exit through the door they will inevitably try to get back in, please be prepared for some increased noise whilst they attempt this (usually for one to two nights). Once they realise it is no longer possible to get back in, they will move on to find a more suitable area. We then return to remove the one-way door and proof the final point.

What if there are too many entry points?

Typically, possum proofing includes a couple of small entry points that are easily proofed, if there are more than this then charges may apply to cover additional labour or materials. On the rare occasion that there are far too many entry points or building defects for us to be able to proof then we will make recommendations and suggest contacting a builder or handyman to rectify such issues leaving one area open so that we can then attach the one- way door. We will charge our $160 call out fee which will then be deducted from the total cost should you proceed once the necessary recommendations have been met.

Why do I have carpet moths?

Carpet moths are attracted to dust and natural fibres such as wool, silk and cashmere as these materials are high in keratin. It is the larvae that feed on these types of materials resulting in damage to carpet, insulation, and clothing. We find that carpet moths are more prevalent in homes that have woollen carpet. Carpet moths can present in a home that has been previously affected or they can enter the home by flying in.

What is the treatment process?

We apply products into the roof cavity and treat all skirtings and carpeted areas as these areas are more susceptible to carpet moth attack.

Can you treat my clothing that has been affected by carpet moths?

Unfortunately, we are unable to treat clothing directly. What we do recommend, is placing clothing into a black garbage bag and leaving it in the sun for a few hours or placing clothing into a hot tumble dryer as any extreme temperatures (above 55 ยฐC) will kill of the larvae.

What time of the year are mosquitoes most active?

Mosquitoes are most prevalent in the warmer months of the year and are typically most active at dusk and dawn. Some mosquito species can lay dormant in their eggs right throughout the colder months until temperatures rise again. However, you may notice less mosquito activity throughout the hot, dryer months as mosquitoes require still and stagnant
water to complete their breeding cycle, therefore humidity creates the perfect breeding environment and a water source as big as a bottle cap is all they need to lay as many as 300 eggs at a time. We recommend booking a mosquito treatment coming into spring as the products will remain effective over the period they are most active.

What is the process for a mosquito treatment?

A Mosquito treatment involves treating exterior walls of the home as well as surrounding foliage using a backpack blower, this allows for smaller particles to penetrate & agitate thick foliage where mosquitoes will typically be harbouring and provide an immediate knockdown effect. We can also apply a special product designed for stagnant water or water tanks (where there is no marine life harbouring) this product de-oxygenises the water subsequently preventing mosquito larvae being unable to survive long enough to become adults. This product has the benefit of being labelled for use in drinking water and therefore, poses no risk to human health. Please note that due to the nature of mosquito treatments we are unable to provide a warranty due to the fact we cannot control mosquitoes that may be airborne however, mosquito season typically lasts for a couple of months and this treatment is designed to provide mass knockdown to get you through the worst period, as the weather becomes warmer and more dry mosquitoes naturally drop off and cannot survive in such conditions.

Will a mosquito treatment harm bees?

Geelong Pest Control appreciates the importance of bees in our ecosystem and we take extra precaution to preserve such important insects during our treatments. When
conducting a mosquito treatment, we apply products to the under leaf of foliage and avoid all pollinated plants. Bees have an extraordinary sense of smell and due to the repellent qualities of the products bees are able to detect this and will instinctively avoid the area. After the treatment you may naturally notice less bees on the property initially but rest assured, they will return some weeks later once the products have settled.

How does Geelong Pest Control conduct a crawling insect treatment?

First we apply products through your roof cavity, subfloor and wall cavities. These are all very common places for crawling insects to hide and nest. After that we conduct an internal perimeter treatment around all skirtings around your home to stop any external or other internal crawling insect activity in their tracks. Next we apply products to all high reach areas such as cornices. We then conduct a full external area/perimeter spray covering all areas such as: Lawns, gardens, fence lines, sheds, BBQ/patio, clothes line and bins. This gives you all round protection for your full property.

How long after the treatment will I notice a difference?

95% of your pest activity will cease before your arrival home. Over the next few weeks you may see the odd pest but usually they will be repelled by the products we have applied and be no threat to you, your family or your pets. We typically have full control within 4-5 weeks.

How long do your treatments last?

Typically our clients only contact us every 12 months. On average our treatments last between 9-12 months with possibly the odd pest being seen but a dramatic difference compared to the usual activity youโ€™d experience without any treatment.

Are your products safe for my family and pets?

Yes! All of our products are derived from natural products and are purposely designed to affect the target pests. We also ask for all of our clients to allow a 2.5 hour vacation period including pets, so the products can dry and be completely safe and undisturbed before your family and pets return home. All fish ponds or open air fish tanks will need to be covered with a waterproof tarp or material during the treatment.

Will it affect my garden or fruit trees?

As stated above, the products we use are derived from natural products (Pyrethrum or Chrysanthemum flowers) therefor they have no effect on vegetation. All we recommended is that you treat your home grown fruit or vegetables like they were bought from a shop and wash them before consumption.

How long does it take before the treatment works?

We ask you to allow 4-5 weeks before all activity has stopped as some pests take longer than others to expose themselves to our treatment. White tails may take a little longer again due to their known habit of being โ€œrogueโ€ and wandering from areas we canโ€™t apply products, such as bedding and linen etc.

What should I do before Geelong Pest Control arrive?

We recommend:

  • Mopping/vacuuming
  • Take all clothes off the line
  • Clear light objects away from all skirtings or internal walls. (The more access to the skirtings, the
    more effective the treatment.
  • Close all windows.
  • Refrain from washing the outside of your windows or walls with pressure hoses.
  • Remove or turn pet bowls upside down
  • Remove pet faeces from grassed areas.

Anything I need to know post treatment?

After we complete the treatment we recommend:

  • No mopping/vacuuming around skirtings for 7-10 days.
  • Donโ€™t use a high pressure hose to clean the external walls, paved areas or decking. Cob web
    brush only to remove webs.
  • Avoid cleaning away cobwebs for 7 days post treatment.

Is there a warranty period?

Yes, all treatments have a 6 month warranty. Our terms and conditions are designed to get the best out of our treatment. After the 4-5 week post activity period, if there is any remaining pest activity, Geelong Pest Control will attend free of charge and conduct a โ€œspot treatmentโ€ in problem areas.

Does the weather affect the treatment?

Our products have been designed to handle tropical North Queensland weather conditions. Our products are very residual and have been proven to last the test of time as long as the weather at the time of application isnโ€™t too severe eg Too windy or too much rainfall. If the weather is particularly bad we will reschedule the treatment.

*Please note- The products only require a very short window of opportunity to dry, therefore if the rain or wind isnโ€™t heavy at the scheduled time, the products will set and be fine to handle rain later in the day. Our technicians always make not if the weather is bad on that day for warranty purposes.

How do I pay for the treatment?

All invoices are sent via email and can be paid either via Bank transfer, Cash or Cheque. We also accept card, cheque. All payments must settled within 7 days of treatment for residential clients and 30 days for commercial.

What areas will you cover for ants?

Anywhere they are currently active or trailing. We always conduct a general site inspection looking for problem areas such as garden beds, fence lines and looking for where theyโ€™re trafficking to and applying an array of products purposely designed to deal with that specific problem.

Since the treatment Iโ€™ve noticed ants in a whole new area, why is that?

Some products we may use are known as repellent products, which means the ants will be driven out of their hiding spots. If this happens you are most definitely covered under your warranty and we will apply Non repellant products directly to the affected area free of charge.

What products will you use for ants?

Typically for ants (especially if theyโ€™re trailing) we would use non repellent products. The reason for this is because it allows the ants to traffic through the product applied directly on the trail, and because of ants being a communal pest and communicating by touch, they will pass the molecule on till the eventually come into contact with the rest of the nesting colony or the queen and destroy the colony. This is especially important if theyโ€™re trafficking into a wall cavity.

Are the products safe for my family and pets?

Absolutely! Once again we may require a vacate period including pets but typically the non repellent product will contain an active constituent which is commonly found in plenty of flea treatments of today such as the gels we place on our pets neck.

Is there any risk of using any sprays I get from the local hardware store?

Yes! Aside from not using the correct PPE it can also be a repellent product which would be a big concern if the ants are in a wall or roof cavity, as it will trap them in there and enable them to grow as a colony and start to take over your home.

Can ants cause damage?

Yes! Ants have been known to cause massive electrical faults due to them nesting in wall cavities and staying close to power sockets as they will generate warmth.

Iโ€™ve discovered fleas in my house, what should we do?

For the best results we recommend treating your pet first with an oral tablet. The reason we recommend a tablet over the gel options are due to dogs and cats finding ways to remove the product before it makes way to their blood stream.

Secondly we would recommend steam cleaning carpets and any fabric couches and rugs to kill off egg cycles and some adults. After this we would also recommend vacuuming and mowing the lawns so it stirs up the activity, typically this should be done on the day of our pest control treatment or day before.

Then we would apply an IGR (insect growth regulator) which stops the egg cycle becoming adults and therefore stops them from biting and feeding on us.

Finally, we would use a product to kill off the adults to provide immediate knockdown.

Where would the fleas be coming from?

Fleas are typically found externally and lay dormant in soil and wait for movement before kicking into action and binding to a host eg. You or your pets. They can be coming from a neighbouring property or even under your house from neighbouring cats sleeping under there.

Is there anything I can do to reduce the numbers in my bedding or clothing?

Extreme temperatures are particularly very effective to knocking down flea numbers. A hot clothes dryer or placing bedding or clothing in a bin liner and leaving outside on a hot day can also be highly effective for those particular situations.

How long does it take to completely rid my home of fleas post treatment?

90% of the activity will be knocked down on application from our technicians, we usually expect up to 4-5weeks to have full control, however if the activity increases after that period again which can happen if theyโ€™re dormant, we will cover this under warranty.

How long will I have to vacate for?

For a flea treatment we usually recommend anywhere from 3-4 hours including pets to allow the products to dry.

Why have I got rodents in my house?

They are simply looking for heat, shelter or food. Roof cavities are a high traffic area due to what it provides e.g. Insulation, which acts as a blanket, down lights, which generate heat, and roofing, which provides shelter from the elements and from any predators.

What areas do you cover when treating?

All high threat and high traffic areas including, roof void, subfloor, garages and wall cavities. Other areas can be covered including sheds etc. also.

What products do you use?

We use a mixture of products including, baits, powders and bait stations.

What can I expect post treatment?

An overall increase in knocking noises due to the rodents interacting with the bait. Also be prepared for the noises to cease but then possibly return due to high numbers for the season coming in waves, this can happen several times but rest assured knowing that our technicians place more than enough products to last several waves of activity.

How long does it take to work?

We say to allow 5 weeks to knock the current population down due to rodents neophobic behavior (nervous of changes in their environment). During this period you may hear an increase in noises, particularly knocking noises, this is a great indication that the rodents have started interacting with the products and the process of gaining control will commence.

Will I have dead rats or mice in my house?

The products we use are designed to bring on the feeling of thirst for the rodent, to drive them out of the home to look for a fresh water source. That is the biggest difference between using our baits compared to hardware store baits is that our baits are โ€˜single feedโ€™ which means the rodents only need a small amount to feel the effects of needing to thirst, hence giving them time to seek water. Multi feed baits purchased at hardware stores are designed that the rodent has to eat a large amount before the product build up in their system and then the rodent canโ€™t move due to consuming too much, so ultimately they will pass away in the roof or wall for example. That is not to say that it cannot happen with our high quality products, but the chances of it happening are dramatically reduced.

How do I stop them from coming in?

To be honest there isnโ€™t a huge amount you can do aside from cutting trees back from the gutter line by at least 2m and not having any lattice or creepers against your home as theyโ€™re known in the industry as โ€˜rat laddersโ€™. To give you an idea, mice only need an approximate 5-6mm gap to gain entry to anywhere and rats is about 12mm or as we call it โ€˜the rule of thumbโ€™. Not to mention, they are prolific climbers.

Is there any threat to my pets with baiting?

Our technicians will always place our products away from family and pets, the bait stations are key lockable and we only place them in areas that you would approve of as the client.

What if my dog eats the rodent that ate the bait?

This is known as โ€˜secondary poisoningโ€™ this is extremely rare and typically only happens in very rural areas due to having literally thousands of rats and mice eat bait and then die. Even if you did have those extreme numbers, your dog (depending on size) would still have to consume a large amount of rats and mice to have any affect.

If I see my dog eating bait, what can I do?

Take your dog to the vet and they will administer a K1 vitamin injection and monitor them over time. This reverses the effect of the bait. Once again, we will not place any products in areas we deem to be a threat to you or your family including pets.

Should I be concerned if I see a possible wasp nest?

Yes. Wasps are extremely territorial and will attack if their nest feels even slightly threatened.

Are wasp stings painful?

Yes, wasp stings are extremely painful and will sting multiple times. Wasps have also been known to spray a pheromone on a potential target to send a warning signal to other wasps to attack! This cannot only be a horrifying experience but can also be fatal, as too many stings can lead to anaphylactic shock.

What can I do to protect my family from wasp attacks?

In warmer months in particular, we would recommend inspecting your gardens, retaining walls, rock gardens or even cracks and crevices around your home, for any wasps from flying back and forth from the entry point. This will be the wasps setting up a nesting site with the โ€œdronesโ€ going out foraging for nesting material and food. The inspection is particularly important to avoid your pets or children from wandering to an area which can potentially be a nesting site.

How does Geelong Pest Control treat wasp nests?

A Geelong Pest control technician will arrive and ask you to point out the general direction that the nesting site may be, without you getting too close and potentially being stung. We will then put on protective clothing and have an applicator with a pvc pipe to give us some distance from the entry of the nest. We then place the pipe in the entry and apply a permethrin-based powder with our powder applicator.

How long will it take for the wasps to be gone?

Typically all the wasps will be gone within an hour or two hours, however we still recommend waiting 24 hours to allow the drones to realise there is no longer a nest there and to eventually move on. During this time we recommend keeping all pets and children away as the wasps will be quite aggressive and also be looking for potential threats.