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Your Go-to Guide for Bed Bug Control in Adelaide | Clean Bed Bug Infested Hotels, Healthcare Facilities and Apartment Buildings

Your Go-to Guide for Bed Bug Control in Adelaide | Clean Bed Bug Infested Hotels, Healthcare Facilities and Apartment Buildings

by | May 13, 2021 | Bed Bug, Blog

YOUR GUIDE TO BED BUG CONTROL IN ADELAIDE
BED BUG INFESTATIONS ADELAIDE

Over the past 10 years, the number of Adelaide bedbug infestations has been on the rise. They’ve become a menace in homes, hotels and hostels alike, and it’s not hard to see why.

Bed bugs feast on blood while you’re fast asleep, and their bites can cause allergies. Squished bugs and droppings will stain your linen, and they certainly get in the way of a good night’s sleep.

They’re good at avoiding detection and pesticide control, but that’s not all. Bed bugs breed quickly, and hitch-hike on clothes and luggage to spread all over Adelaide and beyond.

If you’re concerned that you have bed bugs, this guide will help you identify an outbreak, the problems caused by bed bugs, and how to prevent and control them.

What questions will this article answer?

What are bed bugs?

The most likely types of bed bugs you’ll encounter in Australia are the Common Bed Bug (Cimex Lectularius, C. lectularius) and the Tropical Bed Bug (Cimex hemipterus, C. hemipterus). Here’s some facts that will help you to understand why they are such a nuisance:

They are physically built to hide in narrow spaces in bed mattresses and ensembles

  • Flat oval shaped body
  • Grow to 1-5mm in size (fully grown adults are the size of an apple seed)
  • Rusty brown coloured

They feed on blood

They usually do this every 5-10 days, but can survive for up to 6 months without a blood meal.

They have evolved to feed without being detected

They have 2 mouth tubes:

  • One to pierce the skin to draw blood
  • Another to inject an anaesthetic and an anticoagulant so that they can draw as much blood as possible without you noticing

They like living in beds

Because bed bugs are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide, and tend to feed at night while you’re asleep, you are their preferred host. Apartment complexes, cruise ships, aged care facilities and hospitals can be a haven for exploding bed bug populations.

Signs you have an infestation of bed bugs

Bed bug outbreaks are becoming increasingly common in Adelaide, so it’s helpful to be able to recognise the clues that suggest it’s happening in your home or hotel room:

Bite marks on your skin

Bed bugs’ characteristic feeding pattern will leave the “breakfast, lunch and dinner” sign: a row of red bite marks on your skin, or blood stains on your sheets, they love the blood of humans. These can appear straight away or take up to 14 days to develop. They may trigger allergies such as blisters, rashes and hives, causing swelling, redness and itching.

In some cases you may have no reaction, or a delayed reaction and a mark on your skin.

Bite marks on your skin

Bed bugs’ characteristic feeding pattern will leave the “breakfast, lunch and dinner” sign: a row of red bite marks on your skin, or blood stains on your sheets, they love the blood of humans. These can appear straight away or take up to 14 days to develop. They may trigger allergies such as blisters, rashes and hives, causing swelling, redness and itching and even a secondary skin infection.

In some cases you may have no reaction, or a delayed reaction and a mark on your skin.

Bites on cats and dogs

Pets are not immune to bed bugs in a heavy infestation.

Dark Spots : dark brown or red marks

These are caused by bed bug droppings and by blood leaking from squashed bugs. Check for these on your upholstery, bed linen, mattresses, and walls.

Eggs and egg cases

These won’t be such an obvious sign. They are usually 1mm in size and require a magnifying glass to see them properly.

Bed bug cast skins

As bed bugs mature and grow larger, they shed an outer skin which is pale yellow coloured.

Sickly sweet or musty smell

This is a sign of a heavy infestation.

Common Hiding Spots : Have a peek at their favourite haunts

You won’t need to look far to find bed bugs as they only move short distances to feed. You can check the following places:

  • Mattresses: peel back stitched edges with folds as bed bugs conceal themselves there
  • Mattress Seams
  • Bed frames and slats, crevices of beds (check for bedbug excrement)
  • Bedside furniture
  • Picture frames, cracks in plaster
  • Behind wallpaper, crevices of walls, inside electrical outlets
  • Carpet edges, behind skirting boards, between wooden floorboards
  • In cracks and crevices

If you see them in the daytime

This means that the infestation is severe and they are very hungry.

If you suspect that you may have a bed bug issue, or you need some advice about how to treat it, contact one of our friendly Adelaide bed bug exterminators today.

Problems caused by an Adelaide bed bug outbreak

A few bed bugs can quickly become a large colony, with females laying up to 2-3 eggs a day, which take 5-10 days to hatch. It doesn’t take long for the situation to get out of control. Here are some of the issues that can come about from an infestation:

Sleep deprivation and stress

Once you’ve been bitten by bed bugs, it’s common to experience insomnia due to the fear of falling asleep and getting bitten again. This can lead to physical and mental fatigue over a long period of time.

Damage to belongings

Bed bug droppings, blood from squashed bugs and shed skin can stain furniture, bedding, flooring, curtains and linen.

Anaemia

In repeated bites in children.

Allergies

You can experience allergic reactions to their droppings and shedding, or the chemicals in their bites.

Infected bites

Continuous scratching at bed bug bites can result in secondary infections.

Ongoing infestations

As their eggs are deposited in hard to reach places, this makes treating the outbreak more challenging. The eggs will eventually hatch and produce more bed bugs, which in turn will keep laying more eggs, continuing the cycle.

Spreading to other places

Bed bugs “hitch a ride” and latch on to clothes, luggage, linen, and other materials, initiating an outbreak in a separate location. They then multiply very quickly – females can lay hundreds of eggs over their lifetime.

Bed bugs in accommodation and health care facilities

Bed bugs spell trouble within the accommodation, hospitality and health care industries. Their ability to spread and breed quickly means these businesses have to be especially vigilant in preventing and treating infestations.

A bed bug infestation can damage your reputation overnight. What’s more, you could receive hefty fines for breaching health and safety standards, and have to undergo a costly replacement of furniture and linen. A health care provider has the most to lose from a bedbug infestation.

Hotels, hostels and other accommodation facilities

With high foot traffic and new guest arrivals every day, it only takes one unknowingly infested traveller to create a bed bug infestation throughout the entire premises.

Read more about commercial bed bug control and pest control in accommodation businesses.

Hospitals and aged care facilities

The presence of bed bugs puts people with pre-existing medical issues and compromised immune systems at risk of further health complications.

Read more about bed bug control in aged care.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

or

8371 1277

How to prevent a bed bug outbreak

Here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of having these pesky creatures roaming around at night:

  • Avoid visiting infested areas or properties
  • Seal your mattress and pillow with a bed bug prevention case, check the seams of mattresses before you do
  • Avoid storing luggage under the bed, check any crevices in beds
  • Remove clutter and vacuum the floors frequently
  • Keep work or school belongings away from bedrooms
  • Don’t allow guests to use their own bed linen
  • Be wary of second hand furniture: inspect it carefully first before bringing it back with you

When staying at an accommodation facility

  • Check the room thoroughly for evidence of bed bugs, including the mattress, headboard and luggage rack
  • Keep your suitcase on a luggage rack away from the mattress and off the floor
  • Don’t leave an open suitcase lying around
  • When you return home, inspect your luggage before bringing it indoors, and wash your clothes immediately with hot water (above 60°C), or dry them at high temperature (using the hot setting for over 30 minutes)

DIY bed bug control

To control an Adelaide bed bug infestation, you will need to do more than apply conventional insect repellent. You will need to target all infestation sites and possible hiding spots with specialised bed bug treatment. The trouble is, bed bugs usually lay their eggs in places that are difficult to find and access. Here are some ways to gain the upper hand against an infestation:

Apply bed bug killer powder

There are several products which are commercially available through hardware stores.

Vacuum and maintain good hygiene

  • This is helpful to remove dust, debris and dead bugs before starting treatment, to make it easier for the chemical control to penetrate and be effective
  • Vacuum behind and under beds, paying attention to the corners of the room, near furniture and around fixtures
  • Immediately after cleaning, place the vacuum bag in a sealed bag, then incinerate or discard it appropriately
  • Don’t use appliances with stiff brushes as this may unintentionally spread the eggs

Physical removal

Adhesive tape can be used to trap a few insects.

Heat

  • This is useful on bedding and sheets
  • You can prevente bed bugs instantly if you apply heat above 60°C, and within 1 hour when exposed to temperatures above 45°C
  • Take care to not apply slow and gradual heating, as this causes them to migrate away from the heat source and infest another area

Steam

  • This is effective at getting rid of bed bugs in all stages of its life cycle
  • Steam can be used on all soft and hard surfaces, especially along seams and in small crevices

Freezing

Rapidly freezing infested textiles and fabrics can successfully remove bed bugs. Place them in the freezer for 10 hours per 2.5kg of dry linen weight.

Seal cracks and crevices

Use gap filler to plug small hiding places for bed bugs.

Professional bed bug control

In most cases, you will need professional help to exterminate bed bugs in Adelaide. This is especially important for any commercial facilities.

This will ensure you’re removing both the bed bugs and their eggs, as chemical sprays alone are ineffective on the eggs.

At Allstate Pest Control Adelaide, we are equipped to deal with the complexities of treating a bed bug outbreak.

We provide a comprehensive 5-stage treatment and prevention plan, which carries a 3-month warranty:

Pre-treatment inspection

A pest control technician will conduct a thorough assessment of the affected rooms, adjacent rooms, and all possible hiding places, to come up with a plan to treat the problem. We want to ensure that the treatment is successful the first time, so that bed bugs don’t build a resistance to the pesticides.

Control

Our licensed technicians are careful to only use pesticides that are permitted for use by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, and we are aware that some cannot be applied to mattresses. We normally use a combination of the following ywo treatment methods:

Bed bug powder/dust

This is helpful for penetrating voids and cracks. It is less effective in areas where they can be dispersed by foot traffic and vacuuming.

Spray

This forms a residue that can remove bed bugs from mattresses, cracks and crevices in furniture and flooring. This method is not effective on eggs.

We apply the spray is applied accurately and directly. Otherwise, there is a good chance any bed bugs that are not prevented properly will release pheromones to warn others away, so they will disperse to other areas of the building.

Follow up

We allow 1-2 weeks for bed bug eggs to finally hatch before we return to re-apply more pesticide.

Prevention

Once your outbreak is under control, we use mattress protectors to protect your bed from future outbreaks.

We report back to you

Once the treatment has been completed, our technicians will send you a report with recommendations and feedback so you can refer back to it at any time.

Why choose Allstate?

We understand the stress and overwhelm that a bed bug outbreak can cause, so our team of expert bed bug removalists is ready to help you any time.

Emergency call outs
For all urgent problems or advice, we’re here for you.

Available 24/7, anywhere in Adelaide
Contact us through the chat button at the bottom right.

100% guarantee money back guarantee
If you’re not satisfied with any of our pest control services, we will provide corrective service for no extra charge – or refund you if you are still not happy after 30 days.

Interest-free payment plans
So that you don’t have to delay your bed bug extermination.

Targeted, effective solutions with follow ups
We’ll take the time to inspect your outbreak, apply treatment and ensure that you’re permanently protected from another one.

Non-toxic treatments
Rest assured that the chemicals used are child, pet and environmentally safe.

We work around you
To minimise disruption to your family or your business operations.

Speak to an Adelaide bed bug expert today

or

8371 1277

What you need to know about Ant Control in Adelaide

What you need to know about Ant Control in Adelaide

by | May 13, 2021 | Ants, Blog

YOUR GUIDE TO ANT CONTROL IN ADELAIDE

 

When the ants go marching, it’s hardly a “hurrah” for many us who are home and business owners.

Ants have good reason to be a dreaded pest in Adelaide, and it’s not just their painful bites. Like other creepy crawlies, they forage in unsanitary areas and encounter all sorts of nasty germs. They then introduce them to clean food and places, leading to contamination and illness. Ants also damage buildings and electrical wiring.

If you’re experiencing an ant problem, this guide has tips on identifying the signs of an outbreak, which species of ant is responsible and how to prevent and remove them.

What questions will this article answer?

a nest of ants eating a piece of bread

Signs of an ant outbreak

Ants are generally discreet and don’t make noise or leave an obvious mess, especially when compared to other pests. However, you will get the following hints that they have set up a nest nearby:

Frequent ant sightings

  • They tend to move around in large groups along defined trails, travelling between food sources and their nest; this makes them quite easy to spot

Disturbed soil or dirt

  • Small mounds of soil or dirt with a central opening indicate an entrance to ant nest, or that a nest is nearby
  • Fire ants have nest mounds which can be up to 40cm high

Wood shavings (frass)

  • When carpenter ants carve space for their colony within wood, they leave behind discarded wood shavings, debris and other dead insects

Termite

  • Termites are not ants, but they are called white ants, and there is a reason for that. White ants have several characteristics in common with ants: they are not winged, live together in colonies and go on raids together. But termites are not ants at all; they have evolved separately.

Control

Problems caused by ants

Despite being small, ants come in large numbers and work well together to create big problems. Ant problems include:

They contaminate food

Although ants themselves aren’t known to carry diseases, they come across many germs, including viruses, parasites, fungi and bacteria, as they forage through rubbish, toilets and dog droppings. So, if they come into contact with your food, it’s best not to risk eating it.

Ants spread disease

Ants scavenge in rotting waste contaminated with germs, such as salmonella, streptococcus, staphylococcus and e.coli. They are then able to spread this bacteria by roaming around to other places. This can lead to illnesses such as diarrhoea and food poisoning.

Ant bites sting and cause allergies

The sharp sting of an ant bite is due to the secretion of formic acid. In some people, this chemical can trigger an allergic reaction, forming red bumps or an uncomfortable rash on the skin at best, and anaphylaxis at worst. Fire ant stings have been known to cause significant swelling.

They attract more ants

Ants communicate to each other through pheromones, so they leave trails of chemical markers for other ants to follow. That’s how a small cluster of ants can quickly turn into an army.

They damage buildings

Carpenter ants make nests inside wooden structures by tunnelling into beams, wall cavities, window and floor panels and floorboards.

They can also introduce moisture and soil from outside to inside your walls, resulting in corrosion over time.

Ants can damage electrical wiring

Ants crawl into electric sockets and chew through wiring, causing it to short circuit and potentially spark a fire.

They damage electrical wiring in vehicles

Ants are attracted to dead insects in your radiator grill, scraps and drink packaging, or spills inside your car. They won’t just stop there. Ants will also chew the electric wiring and relay components, which leads to costly repairs.

Fire ants ruin vegetable crops

Fire ants are known to feed on vegetables like red potatoes and okra, as well as corn, watermelon and cucumber seedlings.

If you’re experiencing any of these ant problems, reach out to our ant extermination team any time for advice.

Get help from an ant control expert today

or

8371 1277

Pests

Ants

Once you are aware that you have an outbreak, it’s handy to know which species of ant is causing it. Having this knowledge makes it easier to figure out an effective management plan. These are the most common species of pest ants in Australia and Adelaide:

Black House Ant

  • Shiny and black, workers are 2.5mm to 3mm long
  • Scavenges in kitchens, garbage and dog droppings

Fire Ant

  • Coppery-brown head and body, darker abdomen, 2mm to 6mm long
  • Forages on dead animals, vertebrates, insects, earthworms, as well as vegetables, sweets, protein and fat
  • Collects insect honeydew

Ghost Ant

  • Pale and translucent legs and abdomen, 16mm long
  • Feeds on sweets, grease, insects producing honeydew
  • Nest underneath objects lying on the ground, loose tree bark, in small spaces, roof cavities, flowerpots
  • Attracted to high moisture areas such as kitchen and bathroom cabinets
  • One colony can occupy multiple nesting sites

Odorous House Ant

  • Brown or black, 1.5mm to 3mm long
  • Gives off a coconut smell when crushed
  • Feeds on most household leftovers, especially sweets and melon, and pet food
  • Drawn to high moisture areas such as the kitchen, laundry and bathroom

Pharaoh’s Ant

  • Workers are yellow-brown with a brown abdomen, 1.5mm to 2mm long
  • Some have wings
  • Enjoys high protein edibles including meat, fats, dead insects and blood
  • Prefers humid conditions
  • Found in hard to reach spaces in heated buildings, including hospitals
  • Leaves well-defined trails connected with heating systems

Black House Ant

A swarm of black house ants crawling under a door

Fire Ant

Close up image of a fire ant with it's jaws open

Ghost Ant

Several Ghost ants centered around food

Odorous House Ant

a semi circle of odorous house ants

Pharaoh’s Ant

Several Pharaoh ants bringing food back to colony
black ants on red earth carrying food

INSPECTION

Ant problems in Adelaide businesses and health care facilities

Ants cause problems in even the cleanest of Adelaide businesses and facilities. Why? Ants are usually busy looking for supplies, water and shelter, so you’ll just as likely find them wandering around your sanitary areas as you are to find them in waste areas. This means that ants are spreading all the disease-causing germs they have collected into your clean environment. Once ants contaminate your meals and stock, they put your customers and employees at risk of falling sick, and risk ruining your business reputation.

You can also end up with a costly repair bill if ants damage your buildings, equipment and appliances. Their painfully sharp stings don’t just trigger allergies – they become a dangerous distraction in the workplace, especially for those operating heavy machinery.

To make matters worse, any breach of Occupational health and safety standards can lead to heavy penalties and a costly inspection bill.

Restaurants

Once ants have contaminated stock, food and supplies, these things can no longer be used. This quickly gets costly if it happens too often. The sight of ant trails along food preparation surfaces, utensils, cutlery, tables, chairs and even the bathrooms is a sign of low hygiene standards, which will deter diners from returning.

Read more about ants in restaurants .

Distribution facilities and warehouses

A colony of ants will happily feed on large quantities of stock and goods, unless they are stored appropriately. They can damage wiring in expensive equipment and machinery, so measures must be taken to deter them from entering the building in the first place.

Read more about ants in distribution facilities .

Hospitals and medical centres

Ant prevention should be an important part of your hygiene and sanitation plan.
Preventing fire ant outbreaks should be a particular focus where there are people with fragile health and immune systems.

Read more about ants in distribution facilities.

Pest Control

How to prevent an ant outbreak

If you can remove potential food sources and reduce the accessibility of your home, ants will become less interested in wandering inside. Here are some ideas to help you deter ants from your Adelaide home:
  • Fill entry points, cracks and crevices using silicone and acrylic
  • Store food properly; uncovered food attracts ants
  • Store food out of sight and reduce access, including pet food
  • Wipe away spills and wipe down surfaces; if you see an ant trail on a surface, wipe it with bleach or vinegar
  • Tightly seal containers and food packaging
  • Thoroughly rinse and put away cutlery, utensils and tableware
  • Fix leaking pipes, as moisture attracts ants
  • Waste management: ensure the rubbish bin is properly covered and seal all bin bags tightly
  • Maintain your garden: clear away tree branches that are touching your home and piles of vegetation; remove all fallen and rotten fruit and vegetables
  • Vacuum floors regularly: check underneath and behind furniture

Get help from an ant control expert today

or

8371 1277

Ant control adelaide

Ways to treat an ant problem

There are many ways to manage an ant outbreak, even if you haven’t yet found the ant nest. However, destroying the nest and the queen is the best way to prevente the issue altogether. Here are some ideas:

Pour boiling water into the nest

Be aware that the boiling water may not be able to penetrate deep enough into the ground to reach the entire nest, particularly where the queen is situated.

Baits

Baits contain insecticide chemicals, which are ingested by ants and then spread to the rest of the colony when they return to the nest.

  • Homemade baits can be made using borax and sugar or syrup, and are often just as effective as commercial baits.
  • Granular or sand commercial baits should be scattered these around the perimeter of your home, in entrances, between pavers, on lawns and around the edge of your garden. Apply with care as they are often toxic to pets and children.
  • Gel commercial baits should be applied to cracks and crevices.

Insecticide Spray

This targets other insects in addition to ants.

Water as a repellant

To deter ants you can place your pet’s food bowl in a shallow dish partially filled with water.

Strong smelling deterrents

These mixtures can be applied in a spray or left in a bowl near the ant nest:

  • Strong smelling herbs and spices: mint, cinnamon, garlic, and black pepper combined with vinegar
  • Essentials oils: peppermint, patchouli or cedarwood with water and vodka

Chalk and powdery substances

Sprinkle a line of chalk, baking powder or baby powder near entrances or along the perimeter of your home.

ants on a flower

Adelaide

Professional ant extermination in Adelaide

If you have a major ant problem needing professional treatment, make sure you use an experienced ant control technician.

We recommend finding someone who gets to the source of your problem, so that you’re protected in the longer term.

The team at Allstate are fully equipped to target all the indoor and outdoor spots where ants feed, and to remove their nesting site. We’re available for both emergency call outs, and free assessment and quotes.

This is the Allstate Adelaide professional ant removal process:

Initial assessment

An expert ant control technician will inspect your building, examine the extent of your outbreak, look for nesting and feeding sites, and then come up with a treatment plan.

Ant removal

We normally use a combination of the following solutions to ensure success. Patience is key here – it will take time for these to have an effect, especially if the nesting site is inside a wall cavity.

  • Ant control dust is sprinkled into cavity walls and voids in the building, including the roof space
  • Insecticide forms part of treated zones which are applied to the perimeters of the building
  • Chemical baits are strategically positioned near favoured feeding sites

Follow up treatment

The team will replenish your ant removal treatment at a follow up visit, as its effectiveness dwindles over time. This will ensure you stay ant-free for longer.

Why choose Allstate?

At Allstate Pest Control Adelaide, we understand that an outbreak of ants can be overwhelming. It can also be difficult to find the time to look for nesting sites and come up with a solution to control them. This is where our expert ant control technicians can help.

As Adelaide’s leading independent pest control company, we are available to help you 24/7 in any suburb of Adelaide. We can attend for urgent or emergency problems, or even just provide advice to control ants and support through our website. Contact Us today.

Our ant treatments are environmentally friendly, and safe for children and pets, while minimising disruption to you and your business.

At the same time our control services are highly effective against even severe infestations, as proven by our 100% money back guarantee.

We also provide affordable, interest-free payment plans, making your ant treatment both convenient and accessible. Speak to an experienced Adelaide ant exterminator today.

Get help from an ant control expert today

or

8371 1277