Without climbing up to the roof to take a look, it can be tricky to know if you’ve got possums or rodents running around inside your roof. Here are some ways to help you discover which pest is keeping you awake at night:

Noises

Possums usually make hissing, screeching and coughing noises. They may even squeal when they are fighting or mating. Rodents will sound squeakier and more high pitched.

Movement

Since possums are larger and heavier than rodents, they will make louder thudding or even banging sounds as they move around, compared to rodents, which are smaller and lighter, and make scampering or scurrying noises.

Urine odour

Possum urine gives off a strong ammonia-like scent, and left in large puddles. Rodent waste leaves a sour, musty smell behind.

Droppings

Possum droppings are dark coloured, cylindrical shaped, and longer than 15mm. Rodent droppings are similar shaped, resembling black grains of rice, and are smaller on average. Mouse droppings are usually around 3-5mm long and rat droppings can be 12-18mm long.

Gnaw marks

With their continuously growing teeth, rodents are constantly looking for things to chew. You may notice more gnaw marks to walls, electrical cables, pipes and timber structures and various other items with a rodent rather than a possum outbreak.

Nests

Rat nests are constructed from various material scraps such as paper, wood, cardboard and fabric offcuts. Possums prefer to build nests made out of bed down, leaves and insulation, or may not need a nest at all.

At Allstate, we understand how confusing it can be to tell the difference between possums and rodents when it comes to pests in the roof. In fact, it’s possible to have both of them up at the same time, just to add to the chaos!

That’s why having a professional inspection is the best way to go. At Allstate, our technicians understand the characteristics of rodent and possum behaviour to come up with a government-compliant treatment plan that offers long-lasting protection

Humane possum removal

We’ll identify and seal off entry points to your roof and set out a trap to capture all the pesky possums that are nesting in your roof. From here, they’ll be safely moved to their new home, which is a cosy box set up on a nearby tree.

Possum removal permits

Getting rid of possums isn’t quite as simple as setting up a DIY trap, as they are considered to be protected wildlife in South Australia

At Allstate, our technicians have a Trap and Release Permit issued by the Department for Environment and Heritage. This means that we have permission to catch possums and relocate them within a 50 metre radius.

Rodent prevention

Similar to possum removal, we resolve rodent outbreaks by proofing off potential access points inside your roof. Our technicians will then install a rodent baiting system around your property

We use lockable, tamper-proof bait stations which contain a targeted rodenticide. These are safe to be used in the presence of children and pets.

We will regularly monitor and replenish these bait stations to make sure that the outbreak is managed quickly, but you’ll often need to wait for up to 2 weeks to start noticing a significant reduction.

Commercial and industrial integrated pest management programs

At Allstate, we make it easy for busy facility managers to keep all pests away from your business, including possums and rodents. For over 35 years, we have used a proven approach to successfully keep pests out of commercial and industrial facilities of all sizes. You can stay compliant with health and safety standards with our up-to-date pest control technology.

Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive integrated pest management programs

A few silverfish here and there won’t usually cause too many issues. However, if this progresses to a full-blown outbreak, you may experience the following problems in your home or business:

Food contamination

Attracted to sugary and starchy food, silverfish can help themselves to your pantry items before you’ve tried them yourself.

Damage to your belongings

With an appetite for paper-based items and fabrics, silverfish can destroy household items such as books, photographs, artwork, clothing, furniture, curtains and other precious items.

Allergy/asthma triggers

Some people may develop health problems after encountering silverfish droppings and moulted outer skins.

Trouble controlling outbreaks

Given their small size, silverfish can avoid treatment by hiding and laying eggs in hard-to-reach places such as tiny holes, gaps, cracks and crevices

Messy droppings and skins

Having silverfish droppings and moulted skins scattered around your home and business means you may need to clean more often.

Like cockroaches, silverfish can survive for a long time without food and can be hard to remove once their colony is established.

We recommend keeping your house clean and tidy to remove eggs and traces of starch particles that attract silverfish. Remember to dust, vacuum, sweep, and mop underneath furniture and heavy appliances, and include less frequented areas such as storage rooms. Consider steam cleaning furniture where possible.

Here are eight more tips to prevent silverfish:

1.  Remove unnecessary clutter such as boxes, paper stacks and laundry.

    

2. Keep clothes and fabric items, especially those not worn often, stored away in wardrobes, drawers, and closets. Mothballs are an effective silverfish deterrent in these areas.

    

3. Consider storing precious fabric items, photos, and books in tightly sealed bags and boxes.

    

4. Reducing the moisture in your home can also make it less inviting for silverfish. You can use dehumidifiers and fans in damp areas and keep windows open.

    

5. Dry foods, particularly those with a high sugar or starch content, should be stored in your pantry and tightly sealed in containers to reduce moisture.

    

6. Regularly inspect your home for entry points, roof voids and other hiding spots. Silverfish hide in tiny cracks, crevices, gaps, and holes, which you should seal with caulking. Remember, their natural habitat is in soil and under stones in the garden.

    

7. Yard maintenance can also help reduce the number of hiding spots for silverfish outdoors. Clear away piles of vegetation, decaying plants, and wood.

    

8. Natural deterrents that give off an unpleasant smell to these wingless insects include cedar oil, which can be mixed with water in a spray bottle, and dried bay leaves, which can be scattered around your home.
   
   Known for their destructive feeding habits, adult silverfish can cause a severe problem in large numbers, damaging household items such as books, photographs, or paintings

With the ability to hide away and lay eggs, and a lifespan of around six years, silverfish can be tricky to manage. If needed, we offer ongoing pest control to ensure that your home or business stays silverfish-free for the long term.

Our technicians will always begin by conducting a thorough inspection to identify possible entry points and nesting areas.

For a targeted approach to resolve any outbreaks, Allstate uses a combination of the following proven treatment methods:

Pesticide sprays

Applied to affected areas, aerosol sprays can control silverfish outbreaks quickly.

Silverfish control dust

Control dust, such as diatomaceous earth, sprinkled in hard-to-reach areas, including wall cavities, gaps, and crevices, can deter silverfish from breeding and building nests there.

Fumigation

Fumigation may be necessary to destroy all nests during widespread and severe outbreaks. Our technicians are trained to take precautions and ensure the safety of your family and pets during this treatment.