by seo | Jul 31, 2025 | Bed Bug
So, how do you treat bed bug bites?
Start by washing the affected skin with soap and water. Apply a cold compress. Use an anti-itch cream or calamine lotion. And avoid scratching, no matter how tempting.
If the bites worsen or signs of infection appear (which is rare), speak to your doctor. Some cases may need antihistamines or prescription creams.
At Allstate Pest Control, we’ve helped thousands of South Australians manage bed bug problems and infestations for over 35 years. We’re here to guide you, step by step, through relief, remedies, and long-term prevention.
Let’s walk you through what to do.
What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?
Bed bug bites usually appear as red, raised welts. You’ll often find them in clusters or lines on exposed skin of the arms, legs, neck, or back.
Unlike spider bites, they don’t swell up immediately. They can take hours or even days to show. And once they do? The itching kicks in.
The bite marks can become inflamed, especially if you scratch at them. On brown skin, bites may appear as darkened or purple spots rather than red.
What makes things tricky is that not everyone reacts the same way. Some people experience severe itching or even an allergic reaction. Others barely notice the bites at all.
Bed Bug Bites: How to Treat
- First step: clean the area. Gently wash the bite marks with soap and lukewarm water. This helps prevent skin infections and soothes the itch somewhat.
- Apply a cold compress. It reduces swelling and numbs the itch. Don’t scratch, it spreads bacteria and delays healing.
- Next, use an over-the-counter cream or gel like calamine lotion or hydrocortisone. These reduce inflammation and provide relief from severe itching.
- If the bites are widespread or you’re having a stronger reaction, speak to your GP or pharmacist. They may recommend an oral antihistamine or prescription topical cream.
Home Remedies for Bed Bug Bites: Quick Relief Tips
Got no creams on hand? No worries.
Here’s how to treat bed bug bites with what’s already in your kitchen or medicine cabinet.
Topical treatments for itching and swelling
- Aloe vera gel: Straight from the plant or a natural gel. Soothes, hydrates, and promotes healing.
- Tea tree oil: A few drops diluted in water or carrier oil help with itching and have antibacterial properties.
- Baking soda paste: Mix with a few drops of water and dab it on. Leave for 15 minutes, then rinse.
- Toothpaste: Surprisingly effective. The menthol provides a cooling effect and reduces irritation, but avoid using it on broken skin.
When to seek medical help for bed bug bites
Get medical advice if:
- You develop a fever.
- The bite area feels warm, hard, or has pus (signs of infection).
- You experience an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or trouble breathing.
Also see a GP if the bites aren’t healing after a few weeks or you’re constantly being bitten at home. That’s likely an ongoing bed bug infestation, not just a one-time problem.
How to Prevent Bed Bug Bites in the Future
The real problem isn’t the bites but the bugs.
To prevent bed bug bites, you need to prevente bedbugs or avoid them in the first place.
Here’s what helps:
- Avoid secondhand furniture, especially mattresses, bed frames, and upholstered items, without a pest check.
- Vacuum carpets, beds, and soft furnishings on a weekly basis. Pay extra attention to mattress seams and box springs.
- Use bed bug-proof covers on mattresses and pillows.
- Inspect your hotel room before unpacking. Pull back the bed sheets. Look at the seams. Check for tiny insects or black stains.
Worried you’ve picked them up during travel? Then, put all clothes and bags in a hot wash and dry cycle on the highest setting when you return.
Expert Bed Bug Removal Services from Allstate Pest Control
Treating bites is just the beginning. The only way to truly stop bed bug bites is to remove the bed bugs.
Allstate Pest Control offers safe, professional treatments tailored to your situation. Our licensed technicians inspect all possible hiding spots, from mattress seams and skirting boards to wardrobes and loose wallpaper.
We don’t rush the job. Our goal is to control bedbugs safely with targeted surface pesticide treatments, steam, or heat methods, depending on what your space needs.
We discreetly and effectively treat homes, hotels, aged care facilities, and student housing.
Contact Allstate Pest Control for Professional Bed Bug Treatments
Think you’ve been bitten? Seeing signs of a bed bug infestation at home or work?
Call Allstate Pest Control today on 08 8371 1277. We’re South Australia’s most trusted pest control company, available 24/7 for inspections and fast treatment plans. We’ll help you sleep easy again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to heal bed bug bites?
The fastest way to treat bed bug bites is to wash the affected area with mild soap and water, apply calamine lotion or an antihistamine cream, and avoid scratching. Cold compresses help reduce swelling. Otherwise, leave the bite site alone. Most bites will heal on their own in a week or so.
How long does it take for bed bug bites to go away?
Bed bug bites usually heal in 7 to 14 days, or less. It depends on your skin type and whether you scratch. For some individuals, the itching can persist for several weeks.
What does toothpaste do for bed bug bites?
Toothpaste contains menthol and other cooling agents that can temporarily relieve itching. It’s not a medical treatment but can work in a pinch.
How do you stop bed bug bites from spreading?
You stop the spread by controlling the bed bug infestation. Regular cleaning, vacuuming, and professional pest control treatments are key. Bites themselves don’t spread, but repeated bites will occur until the bugs are removed.
Can bed bug bites cause serious problems if not treated?
In rare cases, untreated bed bug bites can lead to skin infections or allergic reactions. Sleep deprivation and stress are also common effects of ongoing infestations.
Need fast help with bed bug bites or a suspected bedbug infestation? Leave us a message or call Allstate Pest on (08) 8371 1277 today.
by seo | Jul 31, 2025 | Ants
Because your home has everything ants want, from food to water, and shelter.
That’s the short answer.
But if you’re seeing tiny ants marching across your benchtop or around the pet food bowl, there’s more going on under the surface.
At Allstate Pest Control, we’ve been helping South Australians tackle pest infestations for over 35 years. We handle emergency call-outs, long-term treatments, and prevention plans for both homes and businesses. And when it comes to ant control, we’ve seen it all, from sugar trail scouts to full-blown carpenter ant infestations hiding behind the wall.
Let’s help you find out why ants invade homes, what attracts ants inside, and how you can stop ants from coming back.
Why Do I Keep Getting Ants in My House?
Because they’ve found a food source or water, and told their colony.
Ants don’t wander in randomly. Worker ants go out to search for food or moisture. Once they find something, like a crumb, a leaky pipe, or a pet bowl, they leave behind a chemical trail. This trail guides the other ants directly to it.
Most ants come inside looking for:
- Sweet foods (think honey, sugar, juice spills)
- Greasy leftovers or meat scraps
- Water from leaky taps, condensation, or plant trays
- Shelter from rain or extreme heat
Why Do Ants Come Inside When It’s Hot?
During hot seasons, such as summer, ants are more likely to invade homes.
Why?
When it’s hot and dry, ants come inside to escape the heat and search for water. Ant activity increases during warm months, especially for pavement ants and other ground-dwelling species common in Australia.
Once the colony finds a reliable food source, you’ll notice ants walking in steady lines across the floor, benchtop, or windowsill. That’s your cue to act fast.
What attracts ants inside the home?
Ants love it when you have a messy kitchen, dining room or living room in any form.
They’re drawn to sugary substances, food residue, and anything not appropriately sealed. Even the tiniest crumb under your toaster can be enough to trigger an ant infestation.
Here’s what attracts ants:
- Unsealed food like cereal, rice, or snacks
- Fruit left out on the counter
- Spills straight from soft drinks or juice
- Pet food bowls left out overnight
- Poorly sealed windows, cracks, or entry points
- Damp areas like under sinks or laundry rooms
Carpenter ants may also enter your home if there’s rotting or damp timber. Unlike other ants, they don’t eat wood, but they hollow it out to create nesting habitats.
How to Stop Ants from Coming Inside My House: 7 Things to Do
If you’ve had ants invading your kitchen more than once, it’s time to break the cycle. Here’s what to do.
Identify the type of ant
Different ants need different treatment methods. Some ants are sweet lovers.
Others prefer grease or protein. Some build nests in walls (like carpenter ants).
Others stay outdoors but forage inside. Identifying the ant species helps choose the right bait or barrier.
Keep surfaces clean
Wipe down benchtops after every meal. Mop floors regularly. Don’t leave dirty dishes overnight. Even a small spill can trigger an ant trail. Pay attention to hidden spots like under the fridge, toaster, or microwave.
Store food in sealed containers
Use airtight containers for sugar, beverages, flour, grains, and snacks. Don’t rely on cardboard packaging. Ants can chew through it. The same goes for pet food; store it in sealed containers and clean bowls daily.
Seal cracks
Inspect your walls, windows, doors, and skirting boards. Use sealant to block gaps. Fix poorly sealed windows or broken flyscreens. If ants are coming through a specific crack, you’ll often see them forming a line there.
Use ant baits
Ant bait is more effective than sprays in the long run. Worker ants carry the bait back to the colony. It poisons the entire nest over time.
Ensure the bait matches the ants’ food preference; some prefer protein, while others prefer sugar. Always follow the label instructions.
Use an ant spray barrier
Apply non-repellent ant spray along door frames, windows, and exterior walls. These products allow ants to walk through and carry the toxin back to the colony without alerting others.
Avoid strong-smelling repellents, as they can cause the ants to split and form new colonies.
Turn to pest control professionals
If ants keep returning, it’s time to call an ant control professional. At Allstate Pest Control, we use targeted treatments that prevente the entire nest, not just the visible ants. We also identify access points and prevent ants from coming back.
How Do I Know If I Have Termites or Ants?
Not all ants are harmless, and not every wood-loving insect is a termite.
If you see small piles of sawdust, hollow-sounding timber, or ants with wings, it could be something more serious. Carpenter ants are often mistaken for termites, but they don’t eat wood; they dig into it. Termites, on the other hand, feed on cellulose and cause structural damage.
A licensed pest control expert can confirm what pest you’re dealing with. Don’t guess, especially if you own a timber-framed home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there ants in my house suddenly?
Ants appear suddenly when they discover food or water. Once a worker ant finds it, others quickly follow via a scent trail. This can happen within hours of a spill or leak.
What do ants hate most?
Ants dislike strong scents, such as lemon juice, peppermint oil, and vinegar. But these are only short-term deterrents. Professional pest control methods target the nest directly for more effective and longer-lasting results.
Does killing ants attract more?
Yes, in some cases. Crushing ants releases alarm pheromones that can attract other ants to the area. It’s better to use ant bait to target the entire colony discreetly.
Why are there ants in my room but no food?
Even if you don’t see food, ants may detect food residue, pet food, or moisture. Sometimes ants use rooms as pathways to other areas. Check windows, skirting boards, and power outlets.
How to manage ants when you don’t know where they’re coming from?
Start with deep cleaning. Remove all food sources. Use ant bait along ant trails or suspected areas. If the problem persists, contact a licensed pest control expert to locate the nest and apply a comprehensive treatment.
If ants have become a constant battle, don’t wait until the colony grows.
Call Allstate Pest Control on (08) 8371 1277 or send us a detailed message about the situation to book an inspection or emergency treatment. We’re trusted by thousands of South Australians, and we’re ready to help you protect your home.
by seo | Jul 31, 2025 | Possum
Yes, possums can be dangerous, though not in the way most people think. They’re not naturally aggressive. But when cornered, a possum may bite, scratch, or spread harmful diseases through droppings and parasites.
At Allstate Pest Control, we’ve protected thousands of homes and businesses in South Australia for over 35 years. We’re trusted by families, schools, and councils across Adelaide to handle wildlife pests, especially the sharp-clawed, nest-building kind. Possums included.
Let’s break it all down for you. What possums do, why they act out, and what you should never do if you spot one in your backyard or roof cavity.
What Are Possum Defensive Behaviours?
If a possum feels threatened, it won’t go down quietly.
It might growl, hiss, or bare its teeth. It may even lunge.
That’s not because a possum is inherently dangerous. It’s simply scared.
Possums, especially common brushtail possums, are prey animals. They’re wired to defend themselves from predators like owls, dogs, or humans. When backed into a corner, they might:
- Bite with sharp teeth
- Scratch with strong claws
- Release a foul-smelling liquid
- Or “play dead” to escape.
It’s nature’s panic button, and it can get messy.
Also Read: What Does Possum Look Like?
Do Possums Pose Health Risks to Humans?
Yes, they do.
Direct contact or exposure to possum droppings and urine can pose real health risks.
Possums may not attack unprovoked, but they carry parasites and bacteria that don’t belong in your ceiling or kitchen.
What Diseases Can Possums Spread?
Here’s where it gets serious. According to research and local wildlife experts:
- Leptospirosis can spread through the urine of certain animals, such as possums, especially in damp roof spaces.
- Salmonella has been found in possum droppings, which can contaminate surfaces and food.
- Mites, ticks, and fleas that live on possums can be transferred to pets or humans.
- Possums are known to be reservoirs for buruli ulcers, a flesh-eating bacterial infection, although it’s rare.
While possums look cute, they’re still wild animals. Handling them without gloves or letting kids play near possum nesting material is risky.
Why Do Humans Get Bitten by Possums?
It’s not common, but it happens. Most possum bites occur when someone tries to pick one up, block its exit, or disturb its nest boxes.
Possums have up to 50 teeth, which is more than other mammal. So, they are good at giving a bite.
Brushtail possums may live in your roof, garage, or shed, especially if there’s warm insulation, nesting material, or easy access to pet food. And if you accidentally corner one?
It’ll fight its way out.
Possums don’t go looking for a fight, but they won’t back down when they feel threatened. Keep kids, pets, and curious fingers away from their hiding spots.
How to Prevent Negative Interactions with Possums
Possums are a common sight in South Australia. So, rather than panic, take preventative steps.
Here’s how to keep the peace between humans and possums:
- Remove food sources, such as open compost bins, fallen fruit trees, or pet food, from verandas.
- Block entry points in your roof, wall vents, and eaves. Possums love a cosy roof space.
- Trim trees near your roofline to reduce access. They can leap 2–3 metres if needed.
- Avoid confrontation. Never try to trap or move one yourself.
- Install nest boxes in your yard to redirect them away from your ceiling.
If you ever need help with roof inspections, sealing or possum removal in Adelaide? Allstate Pest Control can sort that out quickly. Call us on 08 8371 1277.
What to do if a possum enters your home
First, stay calm.
Second, don’t touch it.
Turn off the lights and leave a door or window open. Give it space to escape on its own.
If it refuses to leave or appears distressed, contact a licensed wildlife handler or pest control service, such as Allstate Pest Control. Trapping common brushtail possums is regulated in South Australia. They can’t be relocated more than 50 metres and must be released safely near their capture site.
Who can trap common brushtail possums?
In South Australia, only licensed wildlife handlers can trap or relocate possums.
According to the Australian Department for Environment and Heritage, it’s illegal to kill or move a possum without permission under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.
At Allstate Pest Control, we collaborate with licensed professionals to ensure that every solution is safe, legal, and humane. We won’t harm your wildlife. We help control it with proper approvals.
Are Possums Dangerous or Misunderstood?
They’re mostly misunderstood.
Possums aren’t naturally aggressive or out to attack your kids or pets. But like all wild animals, they’ll defend themselves when they feel vulnerable.
They can carry diseases, cause roof damage, and trigger allergic reactions through their fur or faeces. In the wrong place, they’re a problem. In nature, they’re part of the ecosystem.
So no, not every possum is dangerous. However, a possum can be dangerous when cornered, sick, or living on your roof without permission.
The best course of action is to prevent them from nesting near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bad to have possums around your house?
It can be. Possums are wild animals. When near your roof, they may cause significant damage, especially if they chew insulation, scratch ducts, or urinate on your ceiling. They also attract predators, especially if you leave pet food out at night.
Are Australian possums dangerous?
Yes and no. Australian possums, such as the common brushtail possum, are protected wildlife. They’re not inherently dangerous, but they may scratch or bite if handled. Their droppings can spread disease, so it’s best to avoid direct contact.
What do you do if a possum approaches you?
Stay still. Don’t scream or run. Let it pass, and avoid blocking its escape route. If it doesn’t move, back away slowly. Then call a pest control professional at Allstate for help.
Will a possum try to bite you?
Only if it feels threatened. Possums generally avoid confrontation but will bite if cornered, scared, or picked up. Never attempt to remove one from your yard or roof without professional support.
Do possums nest in roof spaces or gardens?
Yes. They often seek dry, dark spaces, such as ceiling voids or sheds, especially when searching for nesting material. Possums may also settle in nest boxes in your garden if there are nearby trees and shelter.
Get Help Now. Call Pest Control
Still unsure whether the possum on your roof is harmless or a risk? Don’t guess. Get expert advice. Contact Allstate Pest Control or call 08 8371 1277 for safe, legal, and fast possum solutions. We’ll help you stay safe, avoid bites, and keep your home or business protected, 24/7.
by n.trelease@creativeserum.com | Jul 29, 2025 | Blog, Termites
Highly destructive and hard to detect, termites are thought to cost Adelaide homeowners between $5,000 to $10,000 per year in repair bills. Find out how to treat termites infesting your home in today’s Hivemind blog.
What questions will this article answer?
How to treat termites in your home or business
Estimated to cost billions to repair every year, termite damage is a widespread issue to homes and businesses all across Australia. Unfortunately, this is not claimable through insurance as it is deemed to be highly preventable. So it’s no surprise that termite protection is a serious matter.
So, how do you treat termites in your house? Chances are, you’ll see the destruction they’ve caused before you actually see them in action. To limit further problems in your home, we recommend calling a professional pest control service ASAP as the best course of action.
However, there are a couple of DIY solutions that may come in useful the meantime. Keep reading to learn more!
This can be helpful if you’re wondering how to treat termites in a house naturally. Readily available from hardware stores for purchase, diatomaceous earth is a fine powder with naturally abrasive properties that can puncture a termite’s exoskeleton, leading to moisture loss. You can sprinkle this around the perimeter of your home, as well as potential entry sites and areas with high termite activity.
A slow-acting but versatile termite treatment option, boric acid damages a termite’s outer shell, and can be purchased in a powdered form. You can sprinkle it directly around the perimeter of your home to prevent termite entry, where it will also penetrate deep into small crevices. Or, mix it with just enough water to form a thick paste and spread it over infested timber with a brush. You can even dissolve a teaspoon in a cup of warm water to make a spray.
Worried about termites in your home? Speak to an expert today
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With its high acidic content and disinfectant properties, white vinegar works to dehydrate termites and remove their pheromone scent trails. You can prepare a solution with equal parts of vinegar and water mixed together, along with a squeeze of lemon juice to further bump up the acidity level. Spray this potent acidic concoction over areas with damp wood, including foundations.
With natural insecticide properties, the following essential oils are effective against termites as well as a range of other crawling insects:
Clove oil
Use a few drops of clove oil mixed with water to spray around termite hotspots.
Neem oil
With an unpleasant, bitter smell, neem oil disrupts termite growth hormones and developmental processes. It can be injected directly into damaged wood to target termites, or you can make a spray with 1 tablespoon of neem oil to 2 litres of water, with a dash of liquid detergent. You can apply this directly to termites, hollow timber structures and potential entry points such as door and window frames.
Orange oil
Containing d-limonene, an active ingredient which breaks down termite exoskeletons and metabolic processes, orange oil can be diluted with water and sprayed over termite hotspots, mud tubes and affected timber.
For cellulose- and moisture-loving termites, wet cardboard traps are not only an effective bait but are also extremely easy to prepare. All you’ll need are a few pieces of flat, corrugated cardboard soaked in water. You can stack them in areas of high termite activity, for example, near mud tubes or damaged wood. If you’re wanting to know how to treat termites in a wall, place a cardboard trap against it and watch for termite activity. Remember to check these traps daily and replace them frequently.
Don’t let termites invade your walls, get expert advice on how to treat termites in wall structures today.
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Thick, impermeable and sometimes laced with phenol, petroleum jelly is a surprisingly useful termite deterrent as it starves termites of oxygen. You can apply it liberally to timber-based surfaces and structures to create a tough physical barrier to termite entry.
As one of the best and most easily accessible dehydrating agents around, salt will draw water away from termites, who rely heavily upon moisture to survive.
You can simply sprinkle salt around problem areas or make a strong saline spray by dissolving a large amount of salt in warm water.
As natural termite predators with a particular appetite for larvae,nematode worms are useful in controlling a termite population. Being microscopic in size, they’re able to crawl inside a termite’s body through tiny openings, then release poisonous bacteria.
These worms are not harmful for people, pets or the ecology of your yard.
Safeguard your property from sneaky termites, speak to an expert today
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Professional termite control
The best way to combat termites is to prevent them from venturing near your home in the first place. While you can do your best at reducing sources of moisture around your yard and removing dead tree stumps and woodpiles, subterranean termites happen to be very discreet in their movements. You could still miss the earliest signs of an outbreak.
If you’ve tried DIY options and are still wondering how to treat termites at home safely and for good, professional intervention is the most reliable solution.
Yearly termite inspections
At Allstate, we recommend yearly termite inspections by licensed termite inspectors, per government regulations, to ensure that you and your family stay safe from infestation. More frequent inspections may be required if your property is considered as high risk, for example, if you live near a creek, or your home has previously had a termite issue.
Premise termite treatment spray
If termites are detected at your inspection, we offer a fast-acting treatment that can be applied directly to the soil and foundations underneath your home. Premise non-repellent termiticide spray contains imidacloprid, a targeted active ingredient that works within days to disrupt the termite nervous system and reduce the termite population.
Sentricon Always Active termite bait stations
For the best long-term protection, we recommend having a Sentricon termite barrier installed around your property. With stations positioned underground, 30 centimetres away from the walls of your home, spaced 3 metres apart, the baits are embedded with a powerful termiticide called hexaflumuron. When our clients ask us how to best treat termites at home, you can’t beat a Sentricon system.
Choose Allstate for reliable and long-lasting termite management
If you’re noticing signs of termites around your yard, chances are that it’s only a matter of time before they begin to compromise the structure of your home.
At Allstate, we’ve been protecting homes and businesses from termite attacks since 1986.
Available 24/7 for urgent enquiries, our licensed pest technicians are fully equipped and highly trained to offer comprehensive termite inspections and targeted termite treatments.
Covered by competitive warranties and with payment plans on offer, you can have our experts at Allstate over to termite proof your home today.
Need expert help on how to treat termites safely and effectively? Our team is ready now.
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by n.trelease@creativeserum.com | Jul 29, 2025 | Blog, Rats
Thanks to a set of highly evolved sense receptors, rats possess an extraordinary ability to smell that plays a huge role in their survival. In today’s Hivemind blog, you’ll learn what smell do rats hate, and how to use their own senses against them to keep them away.
What questions will this article answer?
Why are rats sensitive to smells?
Thanks to a specialised vomeronasal organ and many olfactory receptors, rats possess an acute sense of smell, down to the parts per million. This highly developed sensitivity assists them with survival instincts such as avoiding predators, detecting food, navigating their environment and releasing communication pheromones.
What smell do rats hate the most?
To protect your home from rats, it’s easy to exploit their reliance on their incredible smell abilities.
If you’re wanting to learn what do rats hate the smell of, you don’t have to look far. You can simply use a range of household items that either have a potent aroma which interferes with their sense of smell or mimics the way that their predators smell.
To achieve the maximum effect with your DIY rat repellents, apply them to areas where rats are most active. This includes your roof space, nesting sites, burrows and heavily trafficked pathways.
Don’t let noisy rats keep you up at night, get expert advice today.
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Peppermint and eucalyptus oil
Although they are pleasantly refreshing to people, peppermint and eucalyptus oil have an intense menthol scent which can overwhelm a rat’s delicate respiratory system.
This means that you can keep rats out of your garden by planting eucalyptus trees and mint bushes or scattering fresh crushed leaves around your yard.
You can also apply peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils to cotton balls and leave them in highly trafficked areas.
Dilute a few drops of your chosen essential oil with water and keep it in a spray bottle to use as required.
While we enjoy its pungent flavour for cooking, raw garlic is effective at repelling rats, overpowering their sense of smell and making it hard for them to navigate.
We recommend placing freshly sliced cloves of garlic around entry points to your home. For a longer lasting option, you can place the garlic in mesh or porous cheesecloth bags and hang them in active sites.
You can also use garlic infused oil mixed with water to make a potent outdoor spray, perhaps adding other smells which rats hate the most such as peppermint oil for an extra kick if you wish!
Normally used around the house for cleaning, bleach and vinegar can be diluted with water and sprayed around your home to keep rats away.
With strong antibacterial properties, this spray can also act as a disinfectant for areas containing rat urine and droppings, and clearing away traces of scent markers to prevent rats from returning.
Protect your home from rats, speak to an expert today
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With a scent that is unpleasant to both people and rats, household ammonia mimics the smell of potential predators such as cat urine. This will normally trigger the fear response in rats, discouraging them from entering your home.
Avoid using ammonia in large amounts by preparing a solution containing 2 cups mixed with 1-2 cups of water and a few spoonfuls of detergent, and leaving it in a bowl placed in areas with high rat activity.
We recommend taking extra precautions with this method if you have pets or children.
Sick of rats raiding your pantry? Get fast advice today
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A popular deterrent for fabric pests such as moths and silverfish, camphor or mothballs contain naphthalene, which releases a scent that is also disliked by rats. These can be easily purchased from supermarkets and scattered around nesting sites, burrows and entrances to your home.
With a spicy kick that is known to instantly clear the sinuses of people, chilli powder irritates the respiratory tracts of rats upon inhalation.
Given its fine consistency, chilli powder can easily be sprinkled into hard-to-reach places and penetrate deep inside rat burrows and tunnels. You can also use other spices such as cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes for a similar effect.
We recommend reapplying this on a regular basis as it can disperse easily, as well as after heavy rain.
Prevent an outbreak with smells rats hate the most
While there are many possible DIY rat repellents that you can use around your home, it’s important to remember that most of them use natural ingredients which will degrade over time, so they’ll need to be reapplied frequently to maintain an effective rat barrier.
Since rats are clever creatures with the ability to adapt to their surroundings, it’s also best to change up your deterrent techniques every so often to prevent desensitisation.
We recommend exercising caution when applying strong chemicals around pets and children.
If you’re still finding that rats are continuing to be a nuisance after trying many ways to figure out what smell rats hate the most, it’s time to contact Allstate for professional advice.
Whether it’s your home or business, at Allstate, our pest control technicians have a deep understanding of rat behaviour and the tools to get to the bottom of all your rat concerns once and for all.
We’ll conduct a thorough inspection of your property, both inside and outside, to identity all active sites, paying close attention to primary and secondary entry points and nesting areas.
After removing the nests and all nesting material, then proofing off the entry points, we will:
- Install tamper-proof chemical bait stations containing targeted rodenticide at entrance sites to your building, or
- Set out physical rat traps at popular activity sites
For safe and reliable rat prevention, choose Allstate
For many of us, the mere thought of a rat outbreak is enough to make you want to protect your home at all costs from their noisy, disruptive and filthy foraging habits.
At Allstate, we’ve been keeping homes and businesses in all suburbs of Adelaide rat- and pest-free since 1986. Available 24/7 for urgent enquiries, our knowledgeable, highly-trained pest technicians have all the right equipment and modern solutions to combat pest outbreaks in residential, commercial and industrial settings.
With payment plans and competitive warranties included for all our services, we’re committed to providing fast, tailored and effective treatments and keep you and your family safe from rats today.
Our expert team is ready to help you now
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