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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 40

On the road with Kiki – Episode 40

by | Oct 31, 2023 | Kiki

On the road with Kiki – Episode 40
mao0231

On the road with Kiki – Episode 40

forktree project tim

Thanks for joining us yet again for another episode of On the Road with Kiki! In this series, we follow pest consultant Kristian as he visits homes and businesses with pest concerns all around Adelaide. It’s a lovely sunny day today and Kristian is ready to help his clients prevente pests for good!

The first job of the day is a termite assessment at a rental property. The tenant can see that there’s some water appearing on the floor near the bathroom entry. The owner’s son came over and pulled the carpet back to reveal a wooden joint and found some termites. Kristian takes a closer look and thankfully, doesn’t see termite activity, only some moisture and wood rot. He recommends a termite inspection and some preventative treatment just in case.

The next client is also concerned about termite prevention. They’ve just recently bought a new house, which was given the all clear during a building inspection. Kristian leaves them with a quote for a termite protection system, which the client will discuss with his partner.

For the last job of the day, heads to Mount Barker for a possum assessment. The client can hear noises in the roof. Kristian climbs up for a look inside the roof space, and sees mice and rats, so he suggests installing a rodent baiting system, which the client happily accepts on the spot. And that’s it for another week

Family owned and operated, Allstate has been providing pest control services to all suburbs of Adelaide since 1986. Available 24/7, our team is fully equipped with modern, innovative and non-toxic treatments to manage pest outbreaks in residential, commercial and industrial settings. As a proud local business, we’re keen to work with other local businesses to create a brighter future for the South Australian community.

Contact Allstate today for reliable and long-lasting pest control.

Choose Allstate for safe, nontoxic treatments to

protect your home or business from pests today.

or
8371 1277

How To Prevent Termites In Commercial Buildings

How To Prevent Termites In Commercial Buildings

by | Oct 31, 2023 | Termites

Termites are a notorious pest to homes and businesses in Australia. They are thought to be responsible for significant damage that requires repairs averaging $10,000 per home — and it isn’t covered by insurance.

For commercial buildings, the cost can be much higher due to the impact on business reputation and operations, equipment damage and breach of health and safety standards. The good news? Termite attacks are highly preventable if you seek professional assistance.

Continue reading if you’re keen to learn how to keep your commercial property protected from termites all year round.

How Commercial Termite Treatments Differ from Residential Solutions

Commercial termite treatment requires a more comprehensive approach than residential solutions due to the larger scale of commercial properties and the potential for costly damage to infrastructure.

Scope and Coverage

Commercial buildings demand extensive termite inspections and pest control services due to the complexity of structures and high traffic. 

Regular termite inspections are essential for identifying termite problems early, especially in construction projects, to protect valuable buildings from structural damage.

 

Specialised Treatments and Monitoring Systems

Commercial pest control often involves soil treatments and the installation of termite bait stations to manage termite infestations effectively. Baiting systems are helpful in monitoring and preventing termites in commercial properties, targeting both subterranean termites and visible termite activity.

Residential solutions typically rely on termite treatment with liquid barriers, whereas commercial properties require professional assistance through termite control technicians to implement comprehensive approaches for long-term termite management.

Compliance and Risk Management

Commercial buildings must meet Australian standards for termite protection, particularly in industries dealing with customers or moisture-rich environments prone to termite attractants. Commercial termite treatment includes regular termite inspections to track pest activity and provide recommendations to property owners for protecting properties.

Costs, Frequency, and Infestation Management

Termite infestations in commercial properties can result in severe damage and significant damage if mud tubes or other subtle signs are ignored. Managing infestation in a commercial building requires professional service to identify colonies early, preventing extensive damage and ensuring business continuity.

Termite control costs are generally higher for commercial buildings due to the need for more frequent inspections and customised pest control services. Residential solutions focus on the early stages of termite attacks and immediate treatment.

Prevention and Termite Control Strategies

In Australia, termite inspections help detect termites before they cause costly damage. Pest control services use soil treatments and baiting systems to ensure termite protection for houses and commercial buildings. Moisture control is also crucial, as termites thrive in environments with high ground humidity.

By focusing on termite management and comprehensive protection, commercial termite treatment aims to protect property owners from extensive termite damage, ensuring that buildings remain safe and meet Australian standards.

What questions will this article answer?

Why is it important to prevent a termite outbreak?

Termites may be small, but they can cause significant damage to buildings. In Australia, they are thought to affect one in every five houses, and cause over $100 million dollars in damage to homes each year.

Unfortunately, since termite damage is considered as preventable, property insurance does not cover the cost of repairs.

If you’re responsible for a commercial property, however, the bill could be much higher. Building damage can have a severe impact on your business and operations, as well as your reputation. On top of this, any structural problems can cause accidents, start fires, damage equipment and compromise the health and safety of tenants, staff, customers and clients. Breaching government regulations may also lead to heavy penalties.

Fortunately, termite outbreaks can be easily avoided as Allstate offers comprehensive commercial termite control and prevention programs for commercial facilities of all sizes.

Get fast termite protection advice today

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8371 1277

Signs of a termite infestation

Termite outbreaks can often go undetected in the early stages, so they require a professional with training and the right equipment to detect subtle signs of activity. In any case, it’s handy to have an awareness of termite activity.

Mud tubes

If you notice accumulations of brown trails, these could be tunnels which consist of dirt, droppings, wood and other debris, known as mud tubes. They are built by termites to protect them while foraging.

Knocking on timber structures and getting a hollow sound

When there has been significant termite damage, you may hear a hollow, empty sound when tapping or knocking on a wooden structure.

Clicking sounds in walls

Active termites tunnelling through wood, or soldier termites warning of a threat to other termites can give rise to a persistent clicking sound.

Termite swarms and discarded wings

In spring and summer, termite alates, or winged termites, will leave the nest to start a new colony elsewhere. You may see them nesting in tree stumps and woodpiles in your yard, and flying around lights or windowsills.

Damage to floors, walls and ceilings

Look for cracks, changes to paint, blisters, warping and sagging. You may even find doors and windows are harder to open and close.

Electricity interruptions

Termites can cause electrical transmission issues by a leaving a build-up of organic material and mud tubes around electrical fittings and wiring.

You can learn more about the signs of a termite outbreak here and here.

How to prevent a termite outbreak

Here are some steps you can take to reduce the chances of a termite attack at your commercial property:

  • Trim tree branches, vegetation and foliage that are in contact with the sides of your building
  • Remove old tree stumps, as well as piles of mulch and wood
  • Be aware if your neighbours have experienced termite problems
  • Have yearly termite inspections

Termite inspections

The purpose of a regular termite inspection isn’t just to check whether your property is under a termite attack. It’s also to assess for potential risk factors, and to make sure that your existing termite barrier system is still in good working order.

Depending on the level of risk, we recommend having a termite inspection of your commercial property at least once a year, in accordance with government guidelines.

If you’re in a higher risk area for termite attacks, for example, your property is surrounded by trees or has greater levels of moisture, this means that you may need more frequent inspections.

During a termite inspection, your licensed Allstate termite inspector will cover all areas of your property, inside and outside. This includes fence and yard, especially if there are tree stumps or timbers. We’ll cover all interior areas, from the floor to ceiling, including the roof void and subfloors.

You can expect us to use equipment such as borescopes, sounding tools, moisture readers and movement detectors.

Read more about termite inspections here and here.

Don’t delay your termite inspection, speak to an expert today

or
8371 1277

Professional termite treatment

As commercial properties vary in size, layout, surroundings and the number of tenants, our termite control technicians will come up with a personalised treatment plan to manage the outbreak.

Premise Treated Zones
Applied to the soil in specific treated zones, Premise termiticide is a powerful liquid treatment designed to kill termites. As it cannot be detected by termites, it is widely used in popular foraging areas.

Sentricon® Always Active™
Protection around the perimeter of your property is one of the best ways to restrict termite activity within the building. We position each Sentricon bait station at 30-50cm away from the building, with at least one station every three metres to maximise its effect. Each station is installed underground and contains a termiticide chemical that can be carried back to the nest by termites who have fed on it, leading to the prevention of the entire population.

Learn more about professional termite prevention here.

Choose Allstate for effective termite prevention in commercial buildings

Managing a commercial building is no easy task, and having a termite outbreak is not something you want on your hands. Fortunately, our licensed termite inspectors are ready to help you to safeguard your business.

Available 24/7 to all suburbs of Adelaide, our team is fully equipped to assist with termite prevention and management  in commercial facilities of all sizes. All our inspections are conducted in compliance with Australian standards.

Established in 1986, Allstate Pest Control has grown to become the largest independent pest control company in Adelaide. We use targeted, innovative treatments that are non-toxic towards pets, children and the environment.

With a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our services, competitive warranties and payment plans available, you can trust Allstate Pest for long-lasting defense from termites.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

or
8371 1277

On the road with Kiki – Episode 39

On the road with Kiki – Episode 39

by | Oct 27, 2023 | Kiki

On the road with Kiki – Episode 39
mao0231

On the road with Kiki – Episode 39

forktree project tim

Join us for another episode of On the Road with Kiki, as we follow pest consultant Kristian across Adelaide to address pest outbreaks.

Today, our fabulous clients think that they have pesky possums on the prowl, but Kristian has other ideas!

The first client lives at Aldinga Beach, and they have camera footage of possums scratching and scurrying around. When Kristian climbs up to the roof for a look, he discovers that there’s actually an excessive number of rodent droppings. He recommends a rodent baiting system, and the client also agrees to a spider spray. Before heading to see the next client, Kristian can’t resist sneaking off to the beach to take in the view.

The next job is also a possum assessment that ends up being a rodent problem. Again, Kristian sees rodent droppings in the roof void and suggests rodent baiting to fix the issue. The client wants to speak to his wife first before going ahead with the treatment.

For the last job of the day in Sheidow Park, the client says that they can often hear possums in the roof, but strangely, they’ve been pretty quiet over the past week. Again, Kristian says that it’s most likely rodents that exhibit this pattern of behaviour rather than possums. So, he recommends installing a rodent baiting system to prevente the problem. And that’s it for another week!

Established in 1986, Allstate has grown to become Adelaide’s largest independent pest control provider. Available 24/7 to all suburbs, our highly trained team is fully equipped to tackle pest outbreaks of all sizes in commercial, residential and industrial settings. As a local business, we’re passionate about supporting other local businesses to build a strong future for our community.

Contact Allstate today for fast and reliable pest control.

Choose Allstate for safe, nontoxic treatments to

protect your home or business from pests today.

or
8371 1277

Are Bees Considered Pests?

Are Bees Considered Pests?

by | Oct 13, 2023 | Pests

ARE BEES CONSIDERED PESTS?

 

Since bees play an important part in keeping our plants and crops healthy and thriving, can they ever be a pest? The answer is yes! There are certain bee species that are thought to compete with other bees and native animals for nesting sites and food sources. If left unchecked, some of these pest bees even pollinate the wrong plants, leading to the unwanted spread of weeds.

If busy bees have infiltrated your garden, continue reading to learn about the most common types of pest bees and how you can avoid getting stung by an outbreak.

Worried about bees? Get expert help today

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8371 1277

What questions will this article answer?

Why am I seeing so many bees in my garden?

Bees play a key role in sustaining our natural environment as they pollinate plants to help with fertilisation and reproduction. So, as your garden begins to bloom in spring, it’s perfectly natural to notice more bees around.

That’s because they come out from a long winter hibernation and become more active during October to December. They are hungry and looking for places to fill their bellies with floral nectar.

Types of pest bees

While most are not native to Australia, pest bees have learned to adapt and survive very well to our unique climate. They are known to pollinate weeds instead of native flora, and compete for nesting sites and food sources with other native bees and animals.

Pest bees are strongly thought to not just be a nuisance, but also have a negative environmental impact.

Here are some of the more common pest bees you’ll encounter in Australia:

European honey bees

Introduced to Australia around 200 years ago, European honey bees were tasked with producing honey. They are around 0.5 inches long.

Sadly, their population has increased so much over the last 80 years, making them pests to other native animals and insects competing for the same natural resources.

Bumble bees

Specifically introduced to Tasmania in 1992, it is prohibited to move bumble bees to other Australian states and territories.

While they feed on a variety of native and introduced plants, they are only thought to compete with two species of native bees for a particular type of pollen.

Bumble bees also feed on problematic weeds, causing them to spread where they are not welcome!

Asian honey bees

While they are smaller in size than European honey bees, the Asian honey bee is skilled at adapting to changing environmental conditions. In fact, they have even become a huge pest in Cairns.

Thankfully, Asian honey bees tend to forage their nectar and pollen from minor plant sources rather than major crops.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

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8371 1277

Problems caused by pest bees

Bee outbreaks can quickly get out of control as they have a short reproductive cycle and Queen Bees can lay plenty of eggs to boost the colony in a short time.

Most of us dread encountering a noisy bee swarm and being met with a persistent buzzing sound that can be quite distracting and disruptive.

As they forage for food sources in different places, their fine hairs can pick up germs and spread diseases. Not to mention, they’ll leave behind messy and sticky honey stains wherever they go and attract other pests as a result.

Bees can certainly be dangerous as they will sting if they feel threatened. These stings are painful and for some people, can even trigger swelling and allergies.

Signs of a bee outbreak

Here are some ways that you can tell if you have a bee problem at your home or business:

You notice more bees buzzing around

The most obvious sign of a bee infestation is when there seems to be more bees than usual, and they can certainly be very noisy.

Beehives

These can be located around eaves, in your garage, shed, within tree trunks as well as wall and roof cavities.

Bees swarming around lights at night

If you’re seeing bees around lights when it’s dark, you could have an outbreak on your hands.

Honey stains

While delicious to eat, honey stains are sticky, unattractive and messy, and become a food source other pests such as ants. Look for dark brown patches on your walls and ceilings.

How to prevent pest bees in your garden

If you have flowers and plants in your backyard, it’s likely that you’ll be visited by bees at some point. But, are there ways from stopping these casual visitors from becoming a swarm? Absolutely!

We recommend starting off with removing all potential food sources from the garden, including fallen fruit which is high in sugar and a real treat for hungry bees. Dispose of uneaten pet food and avoid leaving food and drinks uncovered, especially meat and dairy products and sweets.

Where possible, we recommend choosing more gentle, natural bee deterrents. This way, the bees are safe from physical harm. This includes using ultrasonic electronic bug repellent products which are readily available from hardware stores.

You can opt to populate your garden with plants that bees are less keen to frequent, such as mint, eucalyptus, citronella, marigold and geranium.

As bee antennae are highly receptive to scents, you can use products with strong smells which are unpleasant to bees. Scented candles and mothballs are useful, as well as sprays made with water mixed with essential oils or herbs. This includes lemon, lime, vinegar, lavender and peppermint. It’s thought that sliced cucumber laid on aluminium sheets also has an off-putting odour as well.

Prevent bees safely. Speak to an expert today.

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8371 1277

Professional bee prevention

The first recommendation we make to all clients who enquire about pest bees is to not disturb the hive and aggravate the bees. Do avoid making sudden movements.

Since bees play an important role in the environment, we prefer to relocate pest beehives to a safer location rather than relying on extermination where possible.

Our team will first locate the beehive and try to identify the species of pest bee to determine the level of danger posed to you and your family.

If we’re unable to remove the beehive, our technicians will apply a targeted control dust into the beehive cavity to prevente the colony. This will deter new colonies from occupying the hive. To ensure that the treatment is effective, we’ll continue to review it if needed.

If the outbreak is severe, we may even call in local professional beekeepers for assistance.

Don’t forget, we have a 24/7 emergency bee removal service to help you at any time.

Choose Allstate for effective and safe bee removal

At Allstate, we understand how stressful and dangerous it can be to have a bee outbreak in your yard. That’s why our highly trained team of professional bee exterminators is full equipped with protective gear to help.

Available 24/7 to all suburbs of Adelaide, we are experienced in safely managing bee outbreaks in residential, industrial and commercial settings. Wherever we can, we prefer relocating rather than preventing them altogether.

With an emphasis on using non-toxic treatments, we aim to minimise harm to pets, people and the environment.

While our bee treatments come with a 6-month warranty, all of our services have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We have finance options available so you can safeguard your home and business from buzzing bees in no time.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

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8371 1277

How to Prevent a Flea Infestation in your Home

How to Prevent a Flea Infestation in your Home

by | Oct 13, 2023 | Fleas

HOW TO PREVENT A FLEA INFESTATION IN YOUR HOME

 

With a notorious reputation for being a nuisance to our pets, fleas can also cause problems to people. With their itchy and irritating bites and the ability to spread serious diseases, you’ll want them gone as soon as possible.

If you are concerned about a flea problem in your home or business, we can help. Our article offers your tips on how to identify and protect your home from a flea outbreak, and how professional flea prevention works.

What questions will this article answer?

What is a flea?

One of the most common parasitic insects you’ll hear about, fleas have been well known to cause problems to our beloved family pets for centuries. Some species you may encounter are cat, dog and even human fleas.

Although they are only 2mm long, oval-shaped and red-brown in colour, fleas are very clever at finding hosts to survive by drawing blood and gaining essential nutrients.

Look out for them in warmer weather, as this is their preferred climate to reproduce and lay eggs.

Get fast flea removal advice today

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8371 1277

Problems caused by fleas

Silent and often hard to see, an unchecked flea problem can lead to many issues.

If you’ve been noticing more fleas around the place than usual, it’s best not to ignore them. Here’s why:

Their bites are uncomfortable

Flea saliva can contain chemicals which are well-known skin irritants that result in a reaction around the bite. You may notice that your (or your pet’s) skin becomes red, swollen and itchy. Try to avoid scratching these bites if possible.

They can spread disease

Besides causing skin infections in pets and people, flea bites can also result in some serious illnesses, including typhus.

Fleas are known carry and transmit a range of germs and parasites such as tapeworms, which thought to be responsible for the infamous Bubonic Plague.

Signs of a flea outbreak

Given that adult fleas, as well as their eggs and larvae, are very small in size, it can be hard to spot an infestation. However, there are still some telltale clues that you can look out for:

Check for fleas in your pets

If you’re noticing that your pet seems restless and is scratching themselves more often, check their fur for fleas. If left without treatment, this could result in a more permanent hair loss known as alopecia. Bites from some flea species are also more prone to causing alopecia as well.

Some pets may have a skin reaction to flea saliva which leads to flea bite dermatitis. This causes irritation, swelling and even welts on their skin. You’ll more commonly see this in groin and armpit areas.

Don’t forget to check hard to reach areas for fleas and bites, as well as dried blood from bite wounds.

In some pets, a long-term flea problem could lead to pale gums caused by anaemia. This is due to a heavy loss of blood and requires urgent treatment by your local vet.

You have skin irritation without any obvious cause

Whether it’s you or your family members experiencing a sudden unexplained itchy rash, skin swelling, or noticing bumps or bites that sting, fleas could be the culprit.

Pay attention to particular areas of your home where this happens, as it could be a site of a heavy infestation.

Flea eggs

Difficult to spot and usually well-hidden, flea eggs are oval shaped, white and around 0.5mm in length.

You may notice them tangled in pet fur, pet bedding, rugs and carpets, or tucked away in small cracks and crevices in walls, skirtings and floorboards.

Flea droppings

If you notice fine, ground black pepper granules in your pet’s fur, or even scattered around your home, this could be flea droppings.

Manage fleas for good. Speak to an expert today.

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8371 1277

How to prevent a flea outbreak in your home

It doesn’t take many fleas to start an infestation that could spread rapidly throughout your home. Here are some ways that we recommend to stop this from happening in the first place:

Practice good pet care

If your pet can tolerate a flea collar, it is a useful way to keep fleas away from your furry friends.

Giving pets baths and inspecting them for any signs of fleas when grooming is also effective.

Using hot water that is at least 50°C to thoroughly clean pet bedding on a regular basis can kill fleas at all stages of their life cycle.

Keep garden well maintained

You can offer less hiding spots for fleas in your lawn by mowing your grass and removing weeds as needed. This way, there is less chance that they will latch onto your pets as they roam around your backyard.

Also, look out for larvae, which tend to be found in shaded areas.

Keep your home clean

Take care to thoroughly clean all rooms and even outdoor areas, particularly places where your pet enjoys spending their time. This includes furniture, rugs and mats.

Regularly sweep, mop and scrub floors as well as vacuuming and steaming carpets. Consider using powerful vacuum cleaners that come with a special attachment to remove pet fur.

Prevent other pest outbreaks

Other pests can introduce fleas into your home, such as birds and rodents. You can contact Allstate for help with any pest concerns 24/7.

Professional flea prevention

Flea outbreaks are notoriously hard to treat once they have entered your home as they lay their eggs in hard-to-reach places. However, you’ll be able to get the issue resolved with the knowledge of our expert flea control technicians.

We’ll begin by inspecting all affected areas in your home or business and come up with a treatment plan.

For the best results, we prefer a targeted approach with a combination of treatments. We use:

  • Flea control insecticide: sprayed around the perimeter of your home, and along joints, floors and skirting boards in affected rooms.
  • Flea control dust: carefully applied to places which are difficult to penetrate with spraying, such as tiny cracks, crevices and wall voids.

At least one review is usually needed for further treatment as flea eggs can take a few weeks to hatch, triggering a new outbreak. So, it’s definitely handy to practice being patient when it comes to resolving flea problems.

Choose Allstate for effective and reliable flea extermination

It’s hard enough seeing our pets suffer from fleas, but having an outbreak spread around the house makes the problem worse for everyone. Luckily, at Allstate, our team knows exactly how to help.

Family owned and operated, Allstate has been managing flea outbreaks for more than 30 years.

Our flea removal technicians are highly trained in flea behaviour and their life cycle. We understand that successful flea control requires applying the appropriate treatments at exactly the right intervals. This way, you and your family can enjoy long-lasting protection from recurring outbreaks.

All our treatments are non-toxic towards children, pets and the environment. Our services are backed with competitive warranties, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We even offer payment plans so you won’t need to delay your treatment.

Available 24/7 for all urgent enquiries to all suburbs of Adelaide, the Allstate team is ready to help you prevente fleas for good.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

or

8371 1277