On the road with Kiki – Episode 39

by SerumTD-019 | Oct 27, 2023 | Kiki

On the road with Kiki – Episode 39

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.

8371 1277

Are Bees Considered Pests?

by SerumTD-019 | 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 are more active from October to December and look for places with abundant food sources.

Types of pest bees

The most common pest bees you’ll encounter in Australia are European honey bees, Bumble bees and Asian honey bees.

Problems caused by pest bees

Bees have painful stings, they leave behind sticky and messy honey stains and distract you with their constant buzzing.

Signs of a bee outbreak

You may notice a beehive and more bees flying around than usual, as well as honey stains.

How to prevent pest bees in your garden

We recommend choosing more gentle, natural bee deterrents such as ultrasonic devices and herb or essential oil sprays.

Professional bee prevention

We will try to relocate beehives and avoid physically harming bees, and only apply insecticide control dust if absolutely necessary.

Choose Allstate for effective and safe bee removal

At Allstate, our technicians practice safe bee removal and protect the bee population as much as possible. Servicing all suburbs of Adelaide, we’re available 24/7.

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

by SerumTD-019 | 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?

Fleas are parasitic insects. At only 2mm long, oval-shaped and red-brown in colour, fleas need to find hosts to survive by drawing blood and gaining nutrients.

Problems caused by fleas

Their bites are uncomfortable and they also spread disease.

Signs of a flea outbreak

Check for fleas in your pets, flea droppings and eggs and you or your family members may also experience flea bites.

How to prevent a flea outbreak in your home

Practice good pet care, keep your garden well-maintained and your home clean and prevente other pest outbreaks.

Professional flea prevention

We use a combination of flea control insecticide and dust.

Choose Allstate for effective and reliable flea extermination

Our flea removal technicians are available 24/7 and are highly trained in flea behaviour and understand how to prevent recurring outbreaks.

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

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8371 1277

On the road with Kiki – Episode 38

by SerumTD-019 | Oct 13, 2023 | Kiki

On the road with Kiki – Episode 38

Thanks for joining us for another episode of On the Road with Kiki! In this series, pest consultant Kristian takes us with him to visit homes and businesses around Adelaide to help clients with pest outbreaks.

Today, Kristian begins the day with a pest bird assessment at a client’s home. He’s noticing birds resting on beams under the roof of the veranda, and his partner has seen them entering the roof through a small gap. Kristian thinks that it’s either sparrows or starlings that are the culprit, so he gives them a quote to have some bird proofing done to stop the problem.

The next client believes that they have termites in a wall of their extension. Kristian takes a close look around thankfully, doesn’t see any active termites. But he still thinks it’s worthwhile having a termite protection system just in case, so he leaves the client with a quote before heading off to the last job of the day.

It’s another termite assessment to end the week, but this time, Kristian can see the house is active with termites in multiple areas. There are mud tubes on walls, and Kristian taps on a door frame which appears to “feel like paper”, indicating that there is significant damage. He provides the client with a quote for a termite treatment and protection system, which is accepted on the spot. And that’s a wrap!

Family owned and operated, Allstate has been providing pest management services to homes and businesses since 1986. As Adelaide’s largest independent pest control company, our team is available 24/7 for urgent enquiries to all suburbs. We’re fully equipped with innovative, non-toxic treatments to manage outbreaks of any size in residential, commercial and industrial settings. As a local business, we’re always keen to work with other businesses to create a brighter future for our community.

Contact Allstate today for effective and safe pest control.

Choose Allstate for safe, nontoxic treatments to

protect your home or business from pests today.

8371 1277

On the road with Kiki – Episode 37

by SerumTD-019 | Oct 13, 2023 | Kiki

On the road with Kiki – Episode 37

Welcome back for our latest episode of On the Road with Kiki! Today, we follow pest consultant Kristian once again as he visits homes and businesses around Adelaide to assess pest outbreaks.

Kristian starts the day with a client who suspects that they have termites in wooden sleepers in their yard. In fact, she’s even seen them crawling around and is keen to have a treatment applied to the affected sleeper, as well as bait stations. Kristian sees that the sleeper is damaged and agrees, so leaves her with a quote for a termite protection system.

The next client has been hearing thumping in the walls of their home every night for the last few weeks and isn’t sure if it’s rodents or possums that are the problem. In the past, he’s put some rodent baits in the roof which fixed a rat issue. Kristian climbs up to the roof and locates a few entry points, and most notably, a few damaged tiles that need repairing. He offers the client a quote for a rodent baiting system, and if the problem persists, they may also need a one-way door installed to trap possums.

For the last job of the day, Kristian goes to a home with a major pest pigeon problem. They’re continuing to roost on some solar panels at a client’s home, even though there is already a solar skirt to prevent nesting. Kristian can see that there is a major pigeon outbreak, so he believes that pigeon trapping is the best way to solve the problem.

Family owned and established in 1986, Allstate is now Adelaide’s leading independent pest control company. Our highly trained team is available 24/7 for any urgent enquiries in all suburbs of Adelaide. We’re fully equipped to prevente pests in residential, commercial and industrial settings with modern and safe treatments. As we are a local business, we’re always keen to support other businesses and grow our community.

Contact Allstate today for safe and reliable pest control.

Choose Allstate for safe, nontoxic treatments to

protect your home or business from pests today.

8371 1277

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