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Termites

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Ants

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Cockroaches

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Spiders

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Birds

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Bed Bugs

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Bees & Wasps

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Rats & Mice

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Possums

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Biting Insects

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Disinfection Services

On the road with Kiki – Episode 32

On the road with Kiki – Episode 32

by | Jul 31, 2023 | Kiki

On the road with Kiki – Episode 32
mao0231

On the road with Kiki – Episode 32

forktree project tim

Thanks for joining us again for another episode of On the Road with Kiki, where pest consultant Kristian takes us to homes and business across Adelaide to assess pest outbreaks.

Today, Kristian starts off with a chat with pest technician Zoel Toming, who enjoys being out on the road, meeting new people and listening to their concerns. He aims to resolve their problems or point them in the right direction to do so. For Zoel, it’s all about leaving clients happy and smiling and feeling safe in their homes!

Next up is a trip to Harbourtown outlet centres, but there’s no time for bargain hunting. Kristian is on the prowl for pests! After getting a good workout walking around the perimeter of the building, Kristian provides a general pest preventative quote for rodent stations and a spider spray.

For the last job of the day, Kristian heads to Newmarket Hotel in Port Adelaide. With some renovations happening, workers have uncovered some termite damage in the ceiling between two levels. While it looks like the damage is old, Kristian recommends a full inspection and a baiting system to protect the property just in case.

Established in 1986, Allstate has grown to become Adelaide’s largest independent pest control provider. Our highly trained pest control technicians are available 24/7 for urgent callouts and fully equipped to manage outbreaks in residential, commercial and industrial settings. As a local, family-owned business, we’re passionate about supporting other local businesses to create a strong future for our community.

Contact Allstate today for effective and reliable pest control.

Choose Allstate for safe, nontoxic treatments to

protect your home or business from pests today.

or
8371 1277

On the road with Kiki – Episode 31

On the road with Kiki – Episode 31

by | Jul 25, 2023 | Kiki

On the road with Kiki – Episode 31
mao0231

On the road with Kiki – Episode 31

forktree project tim

Welcome back for our latest episode of On the Road with Kiki! In this series, we follow pest consultant Kristian around Adelaide to visit homes and businesses with pest outbreaks. Although it’s the middle of winter, the chill doesn’t seem to bother pesky termites and pigeons who still cause a nuisance. Luckily, Allstate offers free quotes for termite problems all year round.

Starting his day in McLaren Vale, Kristian has a termite assessment on a deck at a rental property. Though the tenant has lived there for only six weeks, they have already identified several termite inspection points inside the home. Kristian decides it’s best to start outside and spots not only damage to a wooden rail on the deck, but also an existing termite baiting system installed by another company. It’s clear that termites have been active at the home previously, so he measures up for a new baiting system installation quote to send to the real estate agent and owner.

The next client has a pigeon issue which began after they installed solar panels. It turns out that they already have Solar Skirt protection around their panels, but the pigeons still seem to be hanging around and nesting. Kristian climbs up to the roof for a look and spots a missing roof tile which has given the pigeons an easy entry point inside the roof space. He recommends cleaning the roof space, replacing the missing tile and also proofing another popular nesting spot: the airconditioning unit.

The last job of the day is in Coromandel Valley, which is a well-known area for termite activity. The client lives on a large property and has already had a termite inspection of their home within the last 6 months. However, they have since noticed signs of termites in the yard, more than 50 metres away from the house. The client says that there is a drainage system that runs through the yard and ends near the shed, so it’s the constant presence of moisture that seems to be attracting the termites. Kristian notices multiple sites of termite activity, including within tree stumps, so suggests a baiting system be installed to protect the house.

Since 1986, Allstate has treated pest outbreaks in homes and businesses across all suburbs of Adelaide. Available 24/7 for urgent callouts, our pest control technicians are highly trained and fully equipped to resolve pest infestations in residential, commercial and industrial settings. At Allstate, we’re passionate about supporting other local businesses by working together to create a bright future for our community.

Contact Allstate today for safe and reliable pest prevention.

Choose Allstate for safe, nontoxic treatments to

protect your home or business from pests today.

or
8371 1277

How to manage rats in winter

How to manage rats in winter

by | Jul 12, 2023 | Rats

HOW TO GET RID OF RATS IN WINTER

 

Like most pests, rats are naturally drawn to the warmth and shelter indoors when winter sets in. However, they certainly aren’t the best house guests to have around. Not only are rats noisy and active at night, keeping you and your family awake. They can also spread germs, diseases and parasites.

In Australia, the public and environmental health legislation states that the responsibility falls on homeowners and occupiers to prevent rodents from living and breeding on their property. So, if you’re noticing signs of a rat outbreak, learn more about how you can rat-proof your home in this blog.

What questions will this article answer?

Why do I have rats in my house in winter?

As winter brings their breeding cycle to an end, rats are attracted to the warmth and shelter of your home as a nesting place when the temperatures plunge outside.

The cold weather also makes it more difficult for rats to scavenge for food, so they’ll tend to expand their search to new locations, such as your home and garden.

Since they can squeeze through gaps as small as 14mm in diameter, it’s not difficult for them to sneak into your home. They can even chew through ridge cap plugs.

You may find them hiding in less frequented areas such as sheds, garages, inside roof spaces, walls and ceilings, underneath cupboards, floors and bathtubs and behind boxes. They may also lurk in your garden behind thick vegetation, wood piles and rubbish heaps.

With persistently cool, damper conditions and more rainfall, the increased moisture attracts more cockroaches and in turn, rats.

Problems caused by rats

Here are some reasons why you want to avoid having an outbreak of rats in your home this winter:

  • They carry and spread germs and diseases such as Salmonella, leptospirosis and rat bite fever
  • Rats carry ticks and fleas which can trigger allergies in both pets and people
  • They contaminate clean surfaces, water and food with their fur, urine and droppings
  • A pungent, musty odour in your home
  • They can cause damage from gnawing at wood, insulation and food containers
  • Gnawing at electrical wiring can cause dangerous short circuits
  • Their nests are made of twigs, wood, fabric, grass, litter paper, straw and various other scraps which can leave a mess

Signs of a rat outbreak

For centuries, rats have been notorious for causing a nuisance in homes and businesses alike. Look for the following clues to help you identify a rat infestation:

  • Droppings look like shiny black grains of rice that are 12-18mm long
  • Scratching, squeaking and running noises at night in walls, ceilings, under floors
  • An unpleasant musty odour from urine and droppings
  • Gnawed food and crumbs scattered around
  • Gnaw marks and holes on walls, timber, electric cables and conduits and pipes
  • Greasy fur marks from sebum along walls and skirting boards
  • Swinging marks from tails on dusty surfaces
  • Burrows and tracks through gardens and soil, along fences and flooring
  • Rat nests are usually hidden, but look like a pile of various scraps and materials

You can learn more about the signs of a rat outbreak here: Rat and Mouse Guide

Prevent rats for good. Speak to the experts today.

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8371 1277

How to prevent a rat outbreak

Preparing your home and yard is the best way to keep rats away this winter.

Declutter less frequented areas such as attics, sheds, garages and other storage areas to reduce the number of hiding spots.

Ensure your backyard is tidy by trimming excess vegetation and foliage, disposing of fallen fruit, pet waste and piles of organic matter. Tightly seal rubbish and compost bins.

Use wire mesh to cover rainwater tanks and floor vents and install a chimney grate or cap as this is a popular entry site for rats. Consider fitting weather strips around windows and at the bottom of doors.

Remove all potential food sources and water, and practice safe food handling and storage by wiping all preparation surfaces and keeping food in tightly sealed containers. Avoid leaving uneaten pet food outside.

We recommend regularly inspecting your home for entry points, around the entire perimeter, from the ground to the roof. You can consider using products such as waterproof sealant, silicone or caulk to seal off any small cracks, crevices and holes.

Applying strong smelling products such as peppermint oil, black pepper and cayenne pepper around home perimeter can also be an effective deterrent for rats.

Learn more about how to rat-proof your home this winter here: Keep Rats Out

DIY rat removal

There are many readily available products that you can purchase easily from your local hardware store and some supermarkets to prevente a rat outbreak.

Rodent bait stations are a popular option but may only be a short-term solution if food and shelter are still readily available. Also, due to the toxic nature of the chemical baits, they must be used carefully in the presence of children and pets.

Traps are another common method for rat control. Remember to purchase the correct size for rats as they are larger and stronger than mice. We recommend removing the captured rats as soon as you can and spraying the area with insecticide to remove fleas.

Manage rats once and for all with Allstate

or

8371 1277

Professional rat prevention

For persistent or severe outbreaks, it’s best to call in the experts.

An Allstate pest technician will first inspect your property to identify the source of the outbreak, as well as potential entry points and nesting sites. We can also check if there are any secondary pest infestations.

We’ll then seal off all entry points and place lockable, tamper-proof bait stations in strategic spots around your home to ensure that they are easily accessed by the pesky rats. Rest assured that these are completely safe to be used around pets and children.
Your technician will regularly monitor and replenish the bait stations, and remove the dead rodents promptly, even if they happen to be in hard-to-reach spots.

Patience is needed as it can take up to two weeks before you notice a significant reduction in the rat population, especially if there is a heavy infestation.

Choose Allstate for effective and fast rat removal this winter

The last thing you need in the cold, wet weather is a rat outbreak keeping you up at night. Luckily, at Allstate, our highly trained team of pest technicians can provide safe and long-lasting treatment options that come with a six-month warranty.

We’re available 24/7 for urgent enquiries to all suburbs of Adelaide, and we can help prevente rats in homes, commercial and industrial properties of all sizes.

With payment plans available and a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our services, you’ll most definitely be able to safeguard your home from rats not only in winter, but all year around.

Speak to the rat experts with 35+ years’ experience

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8371 1277

On the road with Kiki – Episode 30

On the road with Kiki – Episode 30

by | Jul 6, 2023 | Kiki

On the road with Kiki – Episode 30
mao0231

On the road with Kiki – Episode 30

forktree project tim

Thanks for joining us again for the latest episode of On the Road with Kiki. In this series, pest consultant Kristian gives us a peek into his workday as he travels around Adelaide assessing pest outbreaks.

Although he’s feeling the winter chill, Kristian heads off to Mawson Lakes to start the day with a pigeon assessment. He can see that there’s pesky pigeons nesting under the client’s solar panels and recommends installing Solar Skirt bird mesh around the perimeter of the panels. However, given that the panels are quite close to the gutter line, Kristian explains to the client that the technicians may need to climb onto the neighbour’s roof first. This will help them to put a bracket down and fix the ladder to enable access to complete the job. The client says he’ll speak to his neighbour, and Kristian leaves him with a quote.

Next up is a possum assessment in three adjacent units in St Clair. The client says that he can hear scratching noises in the roof after 10pm. Kristian climbs up to the roof space for a look and discovers it’s not possums that are the problem here. Instead, there’s evidence of mouse droppings, so he recommends a quote for a rodent baiting treatment.

For the last job of the day, it’s another possum assessment. This time, there’s definitely at least one possum causing problems in the roof space. Kristian gives the client a quote for possum proofing and removal and then it’s time to knock off for another week!

Established in 1986, Allstate is the largest family-owned pest control company in Australia. Our pest control technicians are available 24/7 to all suburbs of Adelaide. We are fully equipped with non-toxic treatments to manage pest outbreaks of all sizes in residential, commercial and industrial settings. Being a local business, we’re always looking for opportunities to support other local businesses and working together to build a strong future for our community.

For effective and reliable pest control services, contact Allstate today.

Choose Allstate for safe, nontoxic treatments to

protect your home or business from pests today.

or
8371 1277

Your guide to Pigeon Control

Your guide to Pigeon Control

by | Jul 6, 2023 | Bird Control

YOUR GUIDE TO HUMANE PIGEON CONTROL

 

Introduced to Australia from Europe, feral or pest pigeons have become well adapted to urban environments and steadily increased in population since. Unfortunately, these noisy pests can also carry diseases, parasites, leave a mess and damage your property.

With readily available nesting sites, sources of food and water, pigeons can breed all year round, almost anywhere. They may well choose your home or business as their next preferred spot to create a nuisance!

If you’re worried about a pigeon outbreak, keep reading our blog to learn more about how to responsibly prevente these pests for good.

What questions will this article answer?

How to identify pest pigeons

Grey coloured with a small collar of iridescent feathers around the neckline, pigeons have two characteristic black stripes across each wing. While a majority are grey, you’ll also find brown and white coloured pigeons as well.

Unlike feral pigeons, you can identify domestic pigeons that are kept as pets or for racing by looking for a tag around their leg.

Pest pigeons? Our experienced team is ready to help.

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8371 1277

Problems caused by pigeons

A pigeon outbreak can lead to the following issues at your home or business:

  • Highly acidic pigeon droppings can cause damage to buildings, outdoor furniture, airconditioning units, solar panels and rooftop machinery
  • They leave behind an unpleasant odour
  • Noise disturbance from chirping, especially from chicks
  • Carry and transmit diseases such as histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis and ornithosis (Bird Fancier’s Lung)
  • Carry parasites such as bed bugs, bird mites, ticks and clothes moths which can cause secondary pest outbreaks and trigger allergies
  • Attract ticks, mites and cockroaches
  • Contamination of food supplies and water through droppings, feathers and nesting material
  • Slippery pigeon droppings can cause a health and safety hazard on footpaths, stairs and fire escapes
  • Pigeons can squeeze through small gaps and enter your roof space

Signs of a pigeon outbreak

Here are some ways you can tell if you have a pigeon infestation:

  • Many pigeons roosting and perching on your roof, eaves and window ledges or even nesting under your solar panels
  • A large amount of brown-white pigeon droppings
  • Nest debris appearing on your roof, such as sticks, twigs, pine needles, straw or grass stems
  • Frequent chirping noises from chicks
  • Damage to native plants in your garden from pecking
  • Feathers accumulating around your roof and yard, in gutters and blocking drains, causing leaks and overflowing in plumbing

Learn more about the signs of a pigeon outbreak here.

Nuisance pigeons around your home? Get fast pigeon control today

or

8371 1277

DIY ways to avoid a pigeon outbreak

The best way to stop a pigeon outbreak is to prevent it from happening in the first place. There are several simple actions that you can take to make sure that your property does not become a potential nesting site.

We recommend removing all possible sources of food and water from your yard, including pet food, water bowls and fallen fruit.

Sealing off potential entry points with wooden panels or mesh, installing mesh screens over chimneys and fixing loose tiles on your roof will help keep them out of your home.

Regularly check your roof for nests and remove them promptly, then disinfect the area. Trim away overhanging tree branches that cover your roof and gutters.

You can even consider using audio and visual deterrents which can be purchased from hardware stores.

Professional pigeon prevention

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, pest pigeons can still persistently cause problems at your home.

At Allstate, we have a range of treatments to manage a pest pigeon outbreak. Our technicians will advise which solution is the most appropriate for your circumstances.

OvoControl

An innovative new treatment that has been shown to significantly reduce bird populations within two years, OvoControl works as a form of pigeon birth control. It uses AI-controlled automatic feeding baits laced with a chemical that inhibits egg fertilisation in female pigeons.

Bird netting

This is used to form a physical barrier to prevent pigeons from accessing your roof.

Bird spikes

Providing an uneven surface to land, particularly on leading edges, bird spikes are commonly used on exposed ledges, sills, girders and steel beams.

Bird wire

A discreet way to protect leading edges of a building, stainless steel bird wire can be secured between vertical posts and makes the surface too unstable for pigeons to land.

Bird Jolt Flat Track

An electrically active surface that works discreetly, the Bird Jolt Flat Track delivers a mild electric shock when pigeons land and stimulate it. It is humane and not harmful to pigeons in any way and can be powered either by an AC or solar charger.

Bird gel

Specially formulated, weather resistant, nearly invisible and nontoxic, bird gel can be spread over nesting areas and discourage birds from landing due to its uncomfortable, tacky consistency.

Bird repellent optical gel

A long lasting and non-harmful method to deter pigeons from an area, bird repellent optical gel not only has a strong scent that is unpleasant for pigeons. It also creates a visual disturbance and confuses pigeons to discourage them from returning to the site.

Solar panel proofing and cleaning

The shelter and warmth underneath solar panels provides an ideal spot for pigeon nesting but can cause damage over time. We can help you to protect your panels by cleaning away the mess left behind by the pigeons and installing a strong mesh around them.

Severe outbreaks

For infestations that cannot be brought under control by any other means, we can physically prevente pigeons if necessary. Our work is always carried out in the most humane and responsible way possible. We are compliant with the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 and have the appropriate permits and licenses to ensure a respectful and safe outcome.

Choose Allstate for fast and reliable pigeon control

 

At Allstate, we understand how stressful and disruptive a pigeon outbreak can be.

That’s why we have a range of innovative and effective, yet humane treatments that can help you rid of pest pigeons as quickly as possible. You can rest assured that all our treatments carried out respectfully and are nontoxic to people, pets and the environment.

We’re available 24/7 for all urgent pest enquiries to all suburbs of Adelaide in residential, commercial and industrial settings.

With a 100% satisfaction guarantee, competitive warranties and payment plans, you don’t need to delay getting rid of pigeons from your home once and for all.

Speak to the pigeon removal experts with 35+ years’ experience

or

8371 1277