FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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 °C) will kill of the larvae.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot we can do if a possum is entering your backyard or your garden as they aren’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.