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What is the best protection against termites?

What is the best protection against termites?

Don’t be fooled by their tiny size: a colony of termites is able to consume 6.8kg of wood in one week! Responsible for over 80% of all structural damage to homes in Australia, learn more about how you can protect your home from termites in this Hivemind blog.

What questions will this article answer?

Why is termite control important?

With termites affecting 1 in 3 homes in Australia, the risk of a termite attack to your home is high. This is because their appetite for cellulose-based materials means that the wood in your home becomes an appealing food source.

 

Living mainly underground, subterranean termites are hard to spot and once inside your home, they can silently cause significant damage that is not visible until it is simply too late. In fact, termites are thought to cost Australian homeowners a whopping $1.5 billion every year.

 

Since this damage is considered highly preventable, the cost of repairs is unfortunately not covered by home and contents insurance. However, it’s reassuring to know that Allstate Pest Control can help keep you and your family safe from a termite attack.

Termite inspections

According to CSIRO and government recommendations, yearly termite inspections are the best way to detect the early signs of a termite attack. If you live in a high-risk area, more frequent inspections may be ideal.

This is because licensed termite inspectors are specifically trained to understand termite behaviour and use modern technology to assist with uncovering even the most subtle signs of termite activity.

At Allstate, we use the following specialised termite detecting equipment to complete inspections according to strict Australian standards:

  • Moisture meters can detect areas of higher humidity which indicate the presence of termite activity
  • Sounding tools are tapped against wooden structures to check for hollowed out sounds resulting from termite damage
  • Motion detectors use advanced thermal imaging technology to detect termite movement inside structures
  • Borescopes are a type of optical device which assist with a visual inspection of a high risk area which is otherwise difficult to access

At Allstate, a comprehensive termite assessment will include using the appropriate termite detection equipment to thoroughly examine all interior and exterior parts of your property, from subfloors to ceilings, as well as your yard and fencing.

Don’t delay your termite inspection, speak to our expert team

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Pre-purchase timber pest inspections

If you’re buying a new home, chances are that you’ll have a building inspection before committing to buy. However, this inspection does not usually incorporate timber pests.

You will need a professional pest assessment which will cover not just termites, but also seasoned timber borers and wood decay fungi.

At Allstate, we conduct non-invasive, visual pre-purchase timber pest inspections in accordance with Australian Standard 4349.3. Focusing on areas which may have a high probability of having timber pests, we inspect the building before preparing a report on the same day with our findings. This includes a risk assessment of your building for timber pests, evidence of timber pest activity, severity of damage caused, as well as recommendations for management and further investigations.

Termite treatment

If termites have been detected at your business or home, our pest technicians will determine the source of the outbreak and perform a thorough inspection of all affected areas before coming up with a management plan.

At Allstate, we keep up to date with our knowledge of termite control techniques and technology, using only the most effective products that are nontoxic towards people, pets and the environment. These include:

Premise termiticide

Offering immediate protection from termites, it’s no surprise that Premise termiticide is a popular termite treatment solution in Australia. Applied directly to soil around the perimeter of your building, it is ingested by foraging termites as a modern non-repellent treatment. Premise has been shown to be highly effective in reducing the termite population through termite-to-termite transfer.

Sentricon Always Active

An effective termite protection barrier, Sentricon Always Active bait stations can be installed discreetly underground, with the cap lying flush with your pavers. It contains the active ingredient noviflumuron, which inhibits the termite life cycle by preventing the moulting process.

Sentricon stations are usually placed 30cm away from your home, no more than 3 metres apart. They will be checked at every termite inspection to make sure that they are working properly and to assess for termite activity.

For effective termite treatment solutions, speak to an expert today

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Termite protection for new homes

Due to the high risk of termite attacks, the National Construction Code guidelines mandate new homes be built using termite-resistant materials and include a termite management system.

These strict requirements are in place because termites are still able to penetrate treated timber and steel roofing, and damage can affect every part of your home.

At Allstate, our pre-construction pest control team includes licensed builders with extensive knowledge and experience in termite management. We incorporate the following range of high-quality termite resistant products, covered by extensive warranties, at the appropriate stage of your build:

Kordon Termite Barrier

As certified Kordon installers, we recommend this moisture resistant barrier to protect your concrete slab.

Manufactured in Adelaide, Kordon has undergone extensive testing by the CSIRO for over two decades and has a 100% success rate in providing the best long-term chemical and physical defence against subterranean termites, when installed correctly.

Non-hazardous, hypoallergic and suitable for all building applications, Kordon is a polyester webbing embedded with deltamethrin termiticide. It is made into a highly flexible sheet which is placed between the bedding sand and steel mesh layers before the concrete slab is poured on top.

Concrete curing

To make sure that your concrete slab stays smooth and crack free and remain impenetrable to termites, we recommend Rendacure as our preferred concrete curing compound.

With excellent adhesion properties, Rendacure is fast drying, wax free and water-based, making it easy to spray or roll onto freshly poured concrete.

We also offer Deep Cure as an alternative fast and cost-effective method to internally cure concrete. Penetrating the inside of the slab, it stops excess moisture from entering by forming a water retaining gel.

Slab edge moisture protection

Protecting your concrete slab from moisture makes it far less likely to attract subterranean termites to your home. If your home is affected by dampness, this shows up as efflorescence, or coloured crystalline deposits of salt and minerals on surfaces around your home.

We suggest using the following waterproofing products during the construction of your new home to prevent efflorescence:

  • Homeguard Protectacote is a bifenthrin-based, acrylic polymer latex compound that can be applied by spraying, rolling or brushing the exposed perimeter of new concrete slabs
  • Ardex WPM 300 is a high performance, water-based epoxy membrane and coating which can be applied to damp concrete to form a hydrostatic pressure resistant membrane and prevent rising damp
  • Xyprex concentrate sealant is applied as a concrete slurry and penetrates the tiny pores within concrete slabs to form a tough, watertight crystalline structure

Chemical reticulation systems

Building regulations make it compulsory for extensions on an existing property to include a termite barrier between your home and the new concrete slab. If baiting stations cannot be installed, this means that you may need a Termidor reticulation system. This consists of a network of underground pipes that discharge termiticide into the soil to repel termites, and requires topping up at regular intervals.

Choose Allstate for long lasting termite control

At Allstate, we’ve seen the devastating damage that termites can inflict on homes and businesses, causing stress and hefty repair bills.

Locally operated since 1986, we’ve provided premium pest control services to all suburbs of Adelaide. Available 24/7 for expert advice, our highly trained pest technicians are fully equipped to offer innovative solutions to termite concerns in residential, commercial and industrial settings.

With payment plans available, Allstate can keep you and your family safe with effective termite prevention strategies today.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

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How to Get Rid of Blow Flies in the House with Experts

How to Get Rid of Blow Flies in the House with Experts

Finding blow flies in the house all of a sudden is unsettling. For homeowners, it often sparks worry about hidden decay, bad smells, or germs spreading near family and food.

Blow flies appear when there’s a breeding source close by, usually rotting meat, dead animals, or other decaying organic matter. They’re annoying and a clear signal of a hygiene issue that needs attention.

At Allstate Pest Control, South Australia’s most trusted pest experts for over 35 years, we’ve seen small problems turn into full blow fly infestations in a matter of days, which is why fast action is so necessary.

Why Do I Have Blow Flies in My House All of a Sudden?

Blow flies don’t wander inside for fun. They’re looking for food sources or breeding grounds. Here’s what triggers them:

• Seasonal factors: Warm weather speeds up fly breeding. In summer, blow flies complete a life cycle in as little as 7–10 days. That means one pair can multiply into hundreds within weeks.

• Food sources: Flies love decaying organic matter. Things like rotting meat, animal waste, or open garbage cans with no tight-fitting lids become instant targets.

• Infestation sources: A dead rodent in the roof void. A bird nest in your eaves. Even an unnoticed pet accident indoors. These hidden breeding areas are the most common found in homes.

• Other contributing factors: Open doors, broken flyscreens, or bins left unwashed. All create easy access for bottle flies and adult blow flies to swarm in.

Signs of Blow Fly Infestation in Your House

How do you know it’s more than a few stray flies? Look out for these clear signs:

• Visible flies: Metallic blue or metallic green blow flies hanging around windows. They’re slightly larger than the standard house fly.
• Unpleasant odour: A smell of rotting meat or animal carcasses means a hidden breeding source nearby.
• Larvae and maggots: Spotting maggots in bins, carpet edges, or near drains means larval stages are already active.
• Fly accumulation: Large clusters of adult flies near sunlight or garbage dumps usually mean a blow fly infestation has taken hold.

How to Get Rid of Blow Flies in the House: Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s what you can do before calling the experts.

1. Identify the source: Check bins, pantries, ceiling cavities, or wall gaps for rotting materials or a dead animal. Removing the breeding source is key.
2. Clean and dispose: Seal waste in bags, wash bins thoroughly, and scrub away any organic matter. Rotting meat or dead animals must be removed quickly to reduce infestation.
3. Seal entry points: Repair flyscreens, close windows properly, and keep garbage cans shut with tight-fitting lids.
4. Use natural repellents: Cloves, eucalyptus oil, and vinegar sprays deter flies. These help, but won’t kill off breeding grounds.
Apply fly traps or baits: Store-bought traps catch adult flies, but killing adult flies alone won’t solve the problem if maggots remain.
5. Maintain cleanliness: Regularly wash bins, keep food covered, and clean drains. A clean home cuts down breeding areas.

Keep blowflies at bay this summer. Speak to our expert team.

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Effective Pest Control of Blow Fly Infestations

Successful control depends on whether you are targeting adult flies, larvae (maggots), or both, and on the environment where the infestation occurs.

Here’s a science-based breakdown of the main chemical tools available, plus when and where they’re most effective.

1. Insecticides for Adult Blow Flies

In domestic and agricultural situations in South Australia, synthetic pyrethroids remain the primary choice.

• Permethrin: Common in household fly sprays, residual surface sprays.
• Cypermethrin: Residual sprays and perimeter treatments.
• Deltamethrin: Available for household and farm use.
• Bifenthrin: Used in some residual surface sprays outdoors.

Note: Organophosphates such as Diazinon and Chlorpyrifos, and carbamates such as Propoxur, are not permitted for household use in South Australia. Diazinon is still in some sheep drench/dip products but is being phased out.

2. Larvicides for Blow Fly Maggots

Most effective and widely used in livestock blowfly strike prevention.

• Cyromazine: Leading product for sheep blowfly strike prevention (e.g., Clik, Vetrazin).
• Diflubenzuron: Used for livestock blowfly protection in some formulations.
• Dicyclanil: Widely used in sheep for long-lasting blowfly strike protection.
• Methoprene: Permitted in some manure and waste treatments as a larvicide and growth regulator.

3. Baits and Traps for Adult Flies

Registered blowfly and housefly baits in Australia rely mainly on neonicotinoids or methomyl.

• Imidacloprid: Found in granular fly baits such as QuickBayt.
• Thiamethoxam: Used in some bait formulations.
• Methomyl-based baits: Effective but more restricted, available mostly to agricultural users.

Get on top of a blowfly outbreak quickly. Speak to an expert today.

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4. Disinfectants and Sanitation Aids

These are unrestricted and vital for blow fly control.

• Phenolic disinfectants: Used in livestock sheds and waste facilities.
• Quaternary ammonium compounds: Common in sanitising solutions.
• Lime (calcium hydroxide): Neutralises organic waste and suppresses maggot breeding sites.

When to Call in the Experts

DIY can help reduce numbers. But sometimes it’s not enough.

Persistent swarms mean there’s a hidden breeding source, like a dead rodent on the roof. Health concerns also come into play. Flies can transfer bacteria from decaying organic matter to food, increasing risk of diarrhoeal disease. That’s when expert fly control is the safest option.

Why Allstate Pest Control is the Right Choice for Blow Fly Infestation

At Allstate Pest Control, we handle fly infestations daily across Adelaide. Here’s why locals rely on us:

• Expert knowledge: Our technicians know the behaviour of blow flies, bottle flies, and the most common flies found in South Australian homes.
• Tailored solutions: Every property is different. We locate the breeding source, whether it’s garbage dumps, animal carcasses, or hidden rotting materials.
• Fast and efficient service: With 24/7 emergency response, we act quickly to protect your home or business.
• Health & safety: Our blow fly control methods are designed to prioritise family and pet safety while reducing breeding grounds in the long term.

If you’re a business, especially in food handling or meat processing plants, commercial fly control is essential. Call the experts on 08 8371 1277 before they become a nuisance to customers and staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to manage blow flies in the house?

It depends on the breeding source. Once the source is removed, adult flies can die out within days. Severe infestations may need professional treatment to break the life cycle.

Are blow flies dangerous to humans?

Yes. Blow flies can bite humans in rare cases, but the bigger risk is disease. Blow flies carry bacteria from animal waste, rotting meat, and open wounds, spreading it onto food and surfaces. They carry pathogens that cause illnesses like dysentery, typhoid, and cholera, as well as other diseases like salmonellosis and potentially, gastritis, ulcers, and stomach cancer.

How do I prevent blow flies from coming back?

Keep bins sealed, clean drains, and cover food sources. Check regularly for dead animals in the roof or wall cavities. Prevention is about removing every breeding source that flies love.

Blow Flies Point to Bigger Problems. Address It Now!

Blow flies in the house are more than a nuisance. They point to a deeper hygiene issue, whether it’s rotting meat in the bin, a dead rodent in the ceiling, or another hidden breeding source. Acting fast keeps your family safe, and if things don’t settle, calling in experts is the smartest move.

For fast, reliable blow fly control anywhere in Adelaide, call Allstate Pest Control on (08) 8371 1277 or reach out to us online.

Our expert team is ready to help you now.

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