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HOW TO KEEP SPIDERS OUT OF THE HOUSE

HOW TO KEEP SPIDERS OUT OF THE HOUSE

by | Oct 15, 2025 | Blog, Spider

With their peak season fast approaching in Adelaide, spiders are busy looking for food and places to breed, with your house ticking a lot of boxes! If you’ve been wondering how to keep spiders out of your house, this guide will walk you through both natural and professional solutions. Learn more in our Hivemind blog.

What questions will this article answer?

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Why are spiders attracted to your house (and how to keep them out)?

You might spot these 8-legged insects out and about all year round, but the warmer months of October through to April mark the official spider season, which peaks in December. During this period, they’ll be on the hunt for food and quiet places to nest, breed and lay eggs.

If your home is buzzing with other pests such as mosquitoes, moths and flies, you’ll be more likely to draw in hordes of hungry spiders.

Come winter, like many other pests, spiders will naturally be drawn to the warmth and shelter of your home, where many will bunker down and enter a hibernation-like state. 

However, you’ll also find some spiders seeking refuge outdoors during winter. They could be lurking underneath rocks or piles of vegetation, including leaf litter in your backyard.

Preventing access: how to keep spiders out of your house

With their small size and nimble bodies, spiders are masters of finding their way into the most unlikely of spaces. That’s why one of the most effective ways to keep spiders out of the house is to stop them getting in altogether. Whether it’s a small crack, gap or crevice within the walls, foundations or utility line openings, it doesn’t take much for spiders to come inside and cause a full-blown outbreak.

So if you’ve been wondering how to keep spiders out of your house, we recommend inspecting your home regularly to identify and seal off potential entry points. Consider taking these following simple steps:

  • Install door sweeps and mesh screens, or weather-stripping where appropriate
  • Repair or replace damaged mesh screens
  • Check that mesh screens covering doors and windows are intact
  • Caulk gaps and cracks
  • Keep all windows and doors closed
  • Thoroughly inspect items that have been kept outside before bringing them into your home, including camping gear, boxes, furniture, pot plants and firewood
  • Sprinkle diatomaceous earth into hard-to-reach places around the perimeter of your home to reduce the number of secret passages for tiny spiders to crawl inside

Stop spiders from venturing indoors, get fast advice

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Keep your house clean to keep spiders out

With a knack for finding quiet, undisturbed places to breed and nest, spiders are commonly found in storage areas, attics, garages, closets, spare rooms, basements and sheds. For many of us, it can be easy to forget cleaning these less frequented places when going about our household chores.

Regular cleaning doesn’t just make your home more comfortable, it also helps keep spiders out of your house by removing webs, egg sacs and hiding spots.

At Allstate, we suggest thoroughly dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, wiping and mopping to remove spider webs and egg sacs when completing your list of chores. Be sure to check behind and underneath furniture and appliances as well.

Regular decluttering of your storage areas is also essential to remove spider hiding spots.

Maintain your yard

Some species of spiders, such as garden orb weavers, live and breed outdoors. You’ll know that they’re around because their cobwebs will be visible on tree branches, bushes, shrubs, along your fence or even in long grass. During the daytime, they’ll hide underground or underneath rocks, piles or leaf litter or compost. Here are some handy hints to keep outdoor spiders at bay:

  • Regularly mow your lawn and dispose of grass clippings
  • Remove piles of leaf litter and vegetation and keep woodpiles away from your house
  • Always keep compost covered and sealed tightly in sturdy bins
  • Keeping plants well-maintained, pruned and trimmed away from your home to prevent access.

Maintaining your yard is another simple way to keep spiders out of the house, as it removes the outdoor shelters they rely on.

DIY natural repellents

With sensory organs located on their legs, spiders are highly sensitive to strong smells. If you’d prefer a natural approach, there are plenty of household items that can help keep spiders out of the house without harsh chemicals. Here are some common aromatic household items that can act as effective spider deterrents:

Garlic

Crushed fresh garlic has a pungent, distinct smell that is very off-putting to spiders. It can be mixed into water to form a potent solution thatwhich can be sprayed directly onto surfaces frequented by spiders. It is ideal to use indoors as it is less corrosive than vinegar. Apply liberally to floors, shelves, inside cupboards, as well as skirting boards and walls.

White vinegar

Containing acetic acid thatwhich acts as both a disinfectant and deterrent, white vinegar doesn’t just have an unpleasant smell and taste to spiders. It can remove spider pheromones and damage their delicate exoskeletons. Mix vinegar with water in a spray bottle and apply it to areas whichthat you want to keep spiders away from, such as garages, sheds and other outdoor areas.

Essential oils

Although they can smell pleasant to humans, essential oils are despised by many insects, including spiders. Infuse a few drops of citrus, tea tree or peppermint essential oil with water to form a powerful spider deterring spray and apply it to spider-prone areas indoors and outdoors.

Plants

Lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary and mint emit a strong odour which overwhelms a spider’s olfactory sensors. You can keep these in your yard as well as in potted form to move around areas thatwhich are high in spider activity.

Sick of seeing messy cobwebs everywhere? Speak to an expert today

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Use spider traps

Ideal for physically removing spiders from your space, there are several types of spider traps available on the market. Many of these are glue/adhesive based. Odourless, mess-free and inexpensive, spider traps contain a pheromone-based attractant to lure spiders onto their sticky surfaces.

How to keep spiders out of the house for good with professional spider control

Although DIY spider repellents can work well for short term spider prevention, most are simply not potent enough to combat a more severe outbreak. You’re far better off seeking professional help from qualified pest control technicians.

Ast Allstate, our spider management program begins with a thorough inspection of your property to locate the source of the problem. We’ll then come up with a targeted treatment plan to combat the outbreak.

We’ll then use a combination of pet-, child- and environmentally friendly spider control treatments including aerosol sprays, barrier sprays and control dust to make sure that your home stays spider-free for good.

For reliable and safe spider treatment, choose Allstate

Coming into spring, the last thing that you need to worry about is frustrating questions like “how to keep spiders out of my house?”.

With Allstate here to help, you’ll be able to spend your time enjoying the sunny weather with your family and friends instead.

Since 1986, we’ve stopped thousands of pest outbreaks from wreaking havoc in homes and businesses across all suburbs of Adelaide. Available 24/7, our pest control technicians are fully equipped to tackle all types of spider infestations using modern and innovative treatments which are nontoxic towards the health and wellbeing of your family.

All our services are covered by competitive warranties and eligible for payment plans where needed, so you can do away with pests for good, sooner rather than later.

​Our expert team is ready to help you now

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How To Keep Birds Away

How To Keep Birds Away

by | Oct 15, 2025 | Bird Control, Blog

Are you waking up to the sounds of persistent chirping? You could have a pest bird outbreak! Find out how to keep birds away from your house for good in this Hivemind blog.

Whether it’s noise, droppings or damage to your roof, this guide will cover practical DIY methods and professional bird control options in Adelaide.

What questions will this article answer?

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Why are there so many birds at my house?

Are you waking up to the sounds of persistent chirping? You could have a pest bird outbreak! Understanding what attracts them is the first step in learning how to keep birds away from your home.

While they are active all year round, the peak season for pest birds is typically spring. With breeding in full swing, they’ll be looking for places to roost, safe and warm nesting spots, as well as food and water, making your roof and yard a very appealing target.

Here’s other ways to tell if you’re experiencing a pest bird infestation at your home:

  • You notice more of birds on your roof
  • Bird droppings and bird nests
  • You see more feathers and nesting material around

Make your yard less bird-friendly

Pest birds are always on the lookout for food, water and safe nesting sites. You’ll want to make your property as uninviting to them as possible by following some of these tips. If you’re looking for how to keep birds away from your house long term:

Grow plants which deter birds

Strongly scented leaves, fruits and flowers act as effective bird deterrents. This means that herbs such as mint, lavender and garlic are handy to keep around. Planting them in a dense pattern around the perimeter of your yard also creates an intimidating physical barrier against pest birds.

Remove sources of food and water

With an appetite for grains, seeds and plants, as well as the occasional small insect, pest birds are also notorious for enjoying food scraps. We recommend avoiding leaving food out, including bird feeders, and keeping other food covered. This includes pet food bowls and water.

Manage waste properly

Teeming with rotting food, garbage and compost are popular targets for hungry pest birds, so it’s important to manage waste appropriately to avoid attracting pest birds to your yard.

Keep compost heaps covered and rubbish secured in plastic bags inside tightly sealed bins with well-fitted lids. Empty your bins regularly to avoid overflowing.

Regular yard maintenance

Remove fallen fruit from your yard, as this will attract many different pests, including pest birds. Trimming back overhanging tree branches and shrubs will reduce the chances of pest birds getting easy access to your property.

Keep outdoor dining areas clean

Make sure that outdoor dining areas are free from crumbs, dropped food and scraps. Wipe away spills immediately, and ensure that dining tables, cooktops and food preparation areas are disinfected.

Predator Decoys

Scarecrows have long been used to frighten birds away from veggie patches, but there are other predators which can stimulate a bird’s sense of danger.

You can install a life-size statue or replica of creatures such as cats, owls and even large birds such as hawks or vultures to keep pest birds out of your garden. These simple decoys are a low-cost way to keep birds away from your yard.

Keep birds away for good, get expert advice today

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Visual bird deterrents: how to keep birds away with sight-based tricks

With better eyesight than humans, birds can see further and with more vivid detail. If you’ve been wondering how to keep birds away from your garden or roof without chemicals, visual deterrents are one of the easiest DIY methods.

Here are some ways to make your property less appealing for pest birds to come and visit:

  • Many birds perceive colours such as orange, red and silver to be threatening
  • Hang spherical garden balls off tree branches, scatter them over the garden beds and lawns
  • Shiny objects can cause distracting reflections within pest bird eyes and can be suspended in trees and popular nesting sites. These include foil sheets, aluminium cans and mirrors

Electronic sound devices

Pre-programmed to broadcast pre-recorded predator calls, combined with distress calls from different species of pest birds, electronic sound devices are useful at keeping birds away from your home by simply just mimicking a threat. They’re especially useful if you want to know how to keep birds away from your roof or solar panels without physical barriers.

You can program these devices to operate at different times and intervals to minimise the distraction of these sounds during your day-to-day activities.

Bird-repelling scents to keep birds away

Although they mainly use their sharp vision to hunt for food, pest birds have special olfactory organs located on their beaks which help them to also detect smells from a distance.

Strong smelling household items can be mixed with water and poured into a spray bottle and applied liberally along popular roosting sites. These include:

  • Essential oils
  • Vinegar
  • Pepper
  • Citrus scents
  • Mint
  • Cayenne pepper

Seal off entry points around your roof

Pest birds are flexible enough to squeeze through small gaps between loose or cracked roof tiles, spaces between eaves and vents and holes in rotting timber.

We recommend regularly inspecting your roof for all potential access sites and then covering them or filling them completely. Ensure that mesh covers are strong enough to resist pecking, with fine openings that can’t be easily damaged and widened.

This step is essential if you’re focused on how to keep birds away from your roof in Adelaide homes.

Have birds chirping around your roof? Speak to an expert today

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How to keep birds away: professional bird management

At Allstate, we emphasise a safe and humane approach to handling pest birds. Your pest technician will choose one or more of the following techniques to stop birds from roosting on your property.

Professional treatments are the most reliable way to keep birds away for good:

Bird spikes

By creating an uneven landing area, bird spikes are designed to discourage pest birds from roosting on leading edges along your roof. They’re best used on exposed ledges, beams, windowsills, railings, gutters, girders, chimneys and signs. They come in a range of types, sizes, shapes and materials including polycarbonate and steel.

Bird netting

Useful for enclosed areas, bird netting physically prevents birds and other pests from entering key areas, while still allowing air flow and light to pass through. Available in a range of flexible and durable materials and colours, they can be customised to fit problem areas.

Bird wire

An alternative to spikes, bird wire is a more discreet bird deterrent suitable for new buildings. Thin, UV protected stainless steel wire is secured between posts to destabilise the landing area and reduce roosting.

Bird Jolt Flat Track System

As a barely noticeable bird deterrent for roofs, the Bird Jolt Flat Track system is an electrically powered, near-flat surface that delivers a very mild electric shock whenever birds try to land on it. Standing at only ¼ of an inch tall, it can be installed on any surface.

Bird traps

For severe outbreaks, you may need to bait pest birds and capture them in a large cage to physically remove them.

Solar panel bird proofing

FAs more and more South Australians are reaping the benefits of solar energy, so are pest birds. Solar panels not only provide a safe place to shelter underneath, they also make for popular breeding and nesting sites. That’s why many homeowners ask how to keep birds away from solar panels in Adelaide.

Unfortunately, over a long period of time, their presence can create issues for even the most robust of solar panels, causing them to work less efficiently. However, you won’t have to worry about these types of problems with solar panel proofing.

At Allstate, our pest technicians will carefully begin by cleaning your solar panels and their surroundings, including roof spaces, to clear every trace of feathers, droppings or nesting material present.

They’ll then install a durable, UV-coated mesh, that does not interfere with the functionality with your solar panels, around the perimeter of each panel. This is specially fitted to prevent pest birds from venturing underneath, and can be removed or reinstalled at any time.

With a 1-year warranty on this service, protecting your solar panels from irreversible damage is just a phone call to Allstate away.

Choose Allstate for safe and humane bird control

Since 1986, we’ve offered reliable quality pest control services to clients in commercial, residential and industrial settings across all suburbs of Adelaide. Our highly trained and fully equipped pest control technicians can deliver a tailored, humane management plan to ensure that you, your family and employees won’t have to worry about nuisance pest birds for years to come.

While all our services emphasise the safety and wellbeing of the pest birds, we also have competitive warranties and payment plans available. So if you’re needing urgent advice on a pest bird outbreak, Allstate is here for you 24/7.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

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Why do cockroaches suddenly appear? (And what you can do about it?

Why do cockroaches suddenly appear? (And what you can do about it?

by | Aug 15, 2025 | Blog, Cockroach

If there’s food, moisture and warmth, you’ve got the perfect recipe for a cockroach outbreak! But why do cockroaches suddenly appear in homes that seem clean and sealed? The answer lies in their habits and survival instincts.

Find out why cockroaches suddenly appear and how you can stop these sneaky pests from venturing inside your home in today’s Hivemind blog.

What questions will this article answer?

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Why do cockroaches suddenly appear in my house out of nowhere?

Many people wonder why cockroaches suddenly appear despite keeping a tidy home, but when conditions are right, they can move in quickly. Although they are nocturnal creatures, if you’re spotting cockroaches scurrying around during the day, this means that there are plenty of them hidden away out of sight!

With their small size, flattened shape and fast legs, cockroaches can seem to appear and disappear just as quickly.

Once inside your home, they’ll find a dark, enclosed and warm place to hide out of sight, usually right near a water source. Check under your sink, fridge, washing machine or dishwasher, tucked into drawers and cupboards, or even under furniture – places that you never would have thought to look!

Once they find a suitable nesting spot, they’ll start breeding and laying eggs, and after a few short months, you could find yourself caught in the midst of a full-blown cockroach outbreak.

Because they’re hungry

Although they are considered to be omnivores, cockroaches are not fussy when it comes to scavenging food. While they will eat plants and other insects outside, a hungry roach will happily devour almost anything inside your home.

They enjoy meat and carbohydrate-rich sweet, sugary and starchy treats, but will also eat paper-based products such as stamps and cardboard boxes, as well as adhesives used for book binding and wallpaper. In fact, they might even tuck into your leather furniture, soap or even your toothpaste!

They’re small and sneaky

With six tiny legs, it’s a wonder that cockroaches can move as fast as they do – around 1.5m per second! It does help that they have a flattened, oval body shape to improve aerodynamics. Some species can even fly, making them even harder to catch.

Being small and lightweight makes many species of cockroaches quite agile. Most cockroaches grow to around half an inch long, but some species such as the American cockroach, can grow over 2 inches in size.

Protect your home from cockroaches, get expert advice today

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Your house is warm

This explains one of the most common reasons why cockroaches suddenly appear, especially in warm Adelaide homes. The ideal temperature for cockroaches to thrive is between 20-30 degrees Celsius, making their peak season occur between spring and summer. The warmer conditions will accelerate the reproductive cycle and development of cockroach eggs, causing a spike in the cockroach population.

However, in the cooler seasons, cockroaches will also be attracted by the heat and shelter inside your home and find a cozy spot to nest, with some species even entering a hibernation-like state.

There’s plenty of moisture around

Although they can go for long periods without food, cockroaches must have ample amounts of moisture to survive, or they risk dehydrating. That’s why they tend to thrive most in areas which are warm and humid. It speeds up their metabolism, development and breeding cycle. Without a source of moisture, it’s believed that cockroaches will only be able to survive for around one week.

So if you’re wondering why cockroaches suddenly appear in the house after rain or during humid days, moisture could be the culprit.

How to keep cockroaches away

If you’ve ever asked yourself why cockroaches suddenly appear in your house, prevention is key. You can make your home less appealing for cockroaches by taking the following simple steps:

Keep your home clean

A messy and cluttered space invites a whole range of pests inside, including cockroaches. We recommend regularly cleaning and disinfecting floors, kitchen appliances and surfaces, particularly in dining and food preparation areas. Decluttering can also reduce the number of hiding spots for cockroaches to nest and lay eggs.

Seal off potential access points inside

With the ability to crawl inside the smallest and tightest of spaces, you’ll want to carefully inspect your home for tiny holes or gaps that could allow for cockroaches to slip inside, and then cover or fill them with waterproof sealants.

Store food away

Cockroaches will enjoy feasting from food in your kitchen as much as you do, so you’ll want to make sure that you keep it stored away in sturdy containers, out of sight, either in the fridge or pantry. This includes pet food and water bowls.

Proper waste management

With unhygienic foraging habits, cockroaches are known to search through rubbish and waste looking for their next meal. You’ll want to make sure that you use sturdy plastic bags to store your rubbish, and check that your rubbish bins have tightly fitted lids. Avoid keeping piles of compost out in the open.

Fix leaking plumbing

Requiring moisture to survive, cockroaches are clever at seeking out sources of water. Check your plumbing system regularly for leaks and fix them as soon as you can. This includes drains, toilets, pipes, gutters and taps, as well as appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers, which connect to your plumbing system.

Cockroaches in your kitchen? Get fast advice today

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Professional cockroach control

At Allstate, we find that a tailored approach works best against cockroach outbreaks, particularly if preventative measures haven’t been successful. After identifying the species and locating the nest, we’ll often use a combination of the following treatments to target the problem:

Residual sprays

Containing insect growth regulator pesticides, aerosol sprays can be applied to larger infested areas as well as around the perimeter of your home to act as a protective barrier.

Bait stations

For areas with a large amount of cockroach traffic, we can install tamper-proof bait stations containing insecticide.

Control dust

To encourage sneaky cockroaches to venture out from hard-to-reach hiding places, we’ll sprinkle insecticide control dust, which can penetrate even the tiniest of gaps, cracks and crevices.

Fumigation

Effective for severe outbreaks, we can apply a concentrated insecticide gas to a sealed off cockroach hotspot. We’ll be sure to let you know when it’s safe to re-enter the space.

Heat treatment

As a more environmentally friendly and pesticide-free approach against severe cockroach infestations, applying a dry heat treatment to a sealed-off area is also effective for destroying cockroach eggs as well as sterilisation.

For effective and reliable cockroach management, choose Allstate

For most people, when cockroaches suddenly appear in the house, it can feel like a huge shock. Although this means that a cockroach nest is most likely nearby, you don’t need to panic. Allstate Pest Control is just a phone call away.

Since 1986, we’ve successfully combatted cockroach outbreaks in all suburbs of Adelaide. Whether you’re in a commercial, residential or industrial setting, our team of highly trained pest control technicians is available 24/7 with accurate advice and a range of innovative treatments to safeguard your home or business against even the most persistent cockroaches.

With competitive warranties and payment plans applicable to all our services, you can have long-lasting cockroach protection sooner rather than later.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

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8371 1277

How Long Do Ants Live? (Lifespans Explained For Australian Species)

How Long Do Ants Live? (Lifespans Explained For Australian Species)

by | Aug 15, 2025 | Ants, Blog

For some ants, it’s a few short weeks. For others, it’s decades! If you’ve ever wondered how long ants live for in Australia, we’re sharing some fascinating insights into the life cycle for the top 8 pest ant species in today’s Hivemind blog.

In this guide, we’ll answer the question how long ants live, exploring Australian species and how their lifespans affect pest control.

What questions will this article answer?

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How long do ants live for: the typical ant life cycle

Fun fact: you’ll find up to millions of ants living together in a nest! They are very organised creatures, with each adult ant belonging to a caste and having a specific job to ensure the survival of the colony. These castes include queen, worker, soldier and drone ants.

Queen ants are responsible for laying eggs to increase the population. These eggs hatch as translucent white larva, which look like grubs. Eventually, the larva will grow and evolve into a more mature pupa, often (but not always) by spinning a cocoon to complete its development before finally emerging as an adult.

The ant life cycle can be influenced by the species, needs of the colony as well as environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.

Understanding these stages helps explain how long ants live in different environments.

Black garden ants

Arguably the most common household ant, black garden ants will eat almost anything, from sweets, to meat and even rotten food. They usually grow 2.5-3mm long and have glossy black colouring.

 Worker ants typically increase in size over many generations in more well-established colonies, and live between 1-2 years.

Queens can be up to 15mm long, live up to 15 years, and lay eggs which will normally hatch after 6 weeks.

Bull ants

As their name suggests, bull ants are big and aggressive, with venomous stings that pack a punch. They grow between 8-40mm in size, and are black in colour with splashes of bright red or orange on their heads or abdomen.

 Once a queen has laid eggs, they may take up to several months to develop into adults, and workers can go on to live for over 2 years.

Stop ants in their tracks – get fast advice today.

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Fire ants

As their name suggests, fire ants are a copper-brown colour and have powerful stings. They are considered as highly invasive and become very defensive if provoked.

 They can grow between 2-6mm in length, and you’ll find different sizes within the same colony. Queens live for up to 7 years, and can lay between 2,000 and 5,000 eggs per day.

 Workers have a shorter lifespan – they’ll usually live for a few weeks to months at best.

Odorous house ants

Notorious for releasing a rotten coconut smell when crushed, odorous house ants are active throughout the year, and colonies often inhabit multiple nests, each with tens of thousands of workers. They’re usually brown or dark grey in colour, and between 2 and 3mm long.

 So, how long do ants live when it comes to odorous house ants? Queens and workers can live for 2-3 years.

 Odorous house ant adults normally take 5-11 weeks in total to develop from the egg stage, but this process can take up to 7 months depending on the season.

Argentine ants

An introduced and highly invasive species, a single colony of Argentine ants can infest vast spaces covering several hectares, making outbreaks challenging to treat and reinfestations quite common.

 Light to dark brown in colour, and growing 1.5-3mm long, queens can live for several years, and workers between 10-12 months. Each colony may have multiple queens who can lay up to 60 eggs each day, with eggs taking 2-3 months to develop into adults.

Protect your family from ant bites, speak to an expert today

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Pharaoh ants

With the ability to relocate their nests and start a new one from the ground up if they feel threatened, Pharaoh ant infestations have a reputation for being hard to control, with baiting techniques usually preferred over surface sprays.

 They’re often found nesting in warm areas such as wall voids containing electrical conduits, hot water plumbing and heating ducts.

 They have distinct yellow to amber colouring and red/black stripes on their abdomens, and grow up to 2mm long.

 Each colony will have multiple queens, each living between 4-12 months. Male pharaoh ants live for only 3-5 weeks after mating.

 Depending on humidity and temperature, the egg to adult life cycle will take around 38-45 days. Adult workers have a short life span of around 9-10 weeks.

Ghost ants

As their name suggests, ghost ants can be hard to see with their small size and milky-white, translucent appearance. They grow between 1.3-2.5mm long, move rapidly, and like odorous house ants, can also emit a rotten coconut odour when crushed.

 Queens can live for up to 15 years, and workers’ lifespan ranges from a few months to a year. Eggs take 2 to 4 weeks to hatch into larvae, with adults emerging after a further 2 months.

Carpenter ants

Not to be mistaken for termites, carpenter ants prefer tunnelling into moist, decaying wood such as old tree stumps and logs rather than timber in your home. However, do watch out for them if you have windowsills, eaves, roofs and doors that are exposed to moisture. They’ll leave behind small piles of sawdust.

 Carpenter ants can be identified by their black, orange or brown bodies and grow between 2.5-14mm long.

 It normally takes 3 to 6 years to establish a colony, and queens can live up to 25 years. Workers normally live for around 12 months. Adults will normally take between 6 and 12 weeks to fully develop from the egg stage, but low temperatures can slow this right down to around 10 months.

Don’t let an ant outbreak ruin your summer. We’ll help you plan ahead.

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How to prevent ants at home

Knowing how long ants live and how colonies grow over time makes prevention even more important.

Take the following simple steps to protect your home from marching ants:

  • Seal off potential entry points including holes and cracks in walls, gaps under doors and around windows
  • Avoid leaving food out, including pet food. Instead, keep it stored away in sturdy containers and packaging
  • Keep your kitchen and dining areas tidy and clean by wiping away food spills and crumbs and disinfecting cooking and cleaning surfaces as well as floors
  • Practice proper waste disposal and management by making sure that bins are not overflowing and all rubbish is stored in well-sealed plastic bags and bins with lids; secure piles of compost
  • Fix leaking taps, drains and pipes to reduce moisture
  • Reduce hiding spots and food sources in your yard by removing rotten fruit and vegetables, pet waste, and piles of leaves and vegetation
  • Keep tree branches and bushes trimmed away from the building

    Professional ant control

    At Allstate, our pest technicians are trained to identify common pest ant species and understand how their behaviour can impact the type of treatments we use to stop an outbreak.

    Because how long ants live can affect treatment strategies, we customise our approach based on their life cycle. We’ll start off by conducting a thorough inspection of all entry points and potential nesting sites, then apply the following treatments either directly to the nest itself or in active areas: 

    Surface spray

    Airborne insecticide sprays can be applied around building perimeters and disperse over large spaces, offering a fast treatment for large areas. They’re also able to penetrate hard to reach, enclosed spaces, such as ant nest tunnels and tiny entry points such as cracks and holes.

    Control dust

    With its fine consistency, ant control dust can also be sprinkled directly into small access points. This includes gaps, into ant nest openings, as well as roof spaces and even your fuse box.

    Ant baits

    Tamper proof ant baits can be used to lure in ants, who carry the insecticide back to the rest of the colony. Although this method can take longer to control an outbreak, it can be tailored to target the specific pest ant species, eventually preventing the ant colony once and for all.

    For long-lasting and reliable ant management, choose Allstate

    Ant outbreaks can get out of control fast, so it’s best to avoid being on the back foot if you start seeing them marching into your home.

     At Allstate, we’re available 24/7 to all suburbs of Adelaide for managing ant outbreaks in commercial, industrial and residential settings since 1986. Our highly trained team is fully equipped to successfully treat all ant infestations no matter the species or location of their nests.

     With payment plan options and competitive warranties on all our services, you won’t need to worry about getting bitten by an army of ants invading your kitchen anytime soon.

    Our expert team is ready to help you now

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    8371 1277

    How to Treat Termites

    How to Treat Termites

    by | 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?

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    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!

    Diatomaceous earth

    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.

    Boric acid

    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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    White vinegar

    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.

    Essential oils

    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.

    Cardboard traps

    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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    Petroleum jelly

    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.

    Salt

    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.

    Nematode worms

    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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    8371 1277

    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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    8371 1277