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How To Stop Possum Problems in your Backyard

How To Stop Possum Problems in your Backyard

by | Apr 16, 2024 | Blog, Possum

A notorious pest for many gardening enthusiasts, possums have a huge appetite for numerous types of plants, fruits and vegetables growing in your yard. Keen to stick around, chances are their closest nesting spot is inside your roof!

Avoid having noisy, messy and smelly possums in your backyard in this Hivemind article.

What questions will this article answer?

Problems caused by possums in backyards

Although they look cute and cuddly, possums are nuisance if they choose to nest in your backyard.

A gardening enthusiast’s nightmare, possums will damage your yard by eating a wide variety fruits and vegetables, including apples, corn, lettuce, broccoli and bananas, as well as flowers, herbs, bark and eucalyptus leaves. They also eat grains, bread, eggs, and occasionally small lizards and birds. You may even find possums rummaging through your rubbish bin looking for food scraps.

Once they enter your yard, they may also look for food, shelter and nesting spots inside your home, particularly in times of extreme weather conditions, by entering your roof space through access points. Once they come indoors, they can be messy, noisy and smelly.

If you manage to come face to face with a possum in your house, you might even find them to be quite aggressive, so watch out!

Signs of a possum problem

Here’s how to tell if you have possums in your yard:

Noises at night

As nocturnal animals, possums are most active after dark. So if you hear sounds like hissing, coughing and screeching outside, there’s a good chance you could have possums hanging around.

Movement

Agile and good at climbing, possums will make banging and thudding sounds as they scurry along your fence, roof, gutters and tree branches.

Droppings

Possums leave behind faeces that are cylindrical shaped, dark in colour and around 15mm long.

Urine

If you spot large puddles or stains that give off an ammonia-like scent, this could be the work of possums.

Damage to gutters

Look for scratches, dents or mould along your gutters.

For fast possum advice, speak to our expert team

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8371 1277

How to prevent possum problems in your backyard

While it’s common to have the occasional possum pass through your yard, you’ll want to avoid a full-blown possum problem. Here are some tips to keep them away:

Remove attractants

If there is less food available in your yard, possums will be less interested in hanging around. This means not feeding the possums, or considering having fewer plants. Otherwise, dispose of fallen and rotten fruit and vegetables, and make sure that bins and rubbish are tightly sealed and secured. Keep pet food indoors if possible, and ensure that outdoor tables, food preparation areas, barbecues and ovens are clean.

Regular yard maintenance

Large trees with overhanging branches provide possums with easier access to your yard as well as your home. They can also harbour cosy nesting spots. We recommend keeping foliage trimmed as much as possible, and fix dislodged roof tiles. If you spot entry points to your roof, we recommend proofing them off immediately.

Physical deterrents

Sometimes, a screen or barrier is needed to keep possums out of your yard. Bird spikes may also be effective in high traffic areas.

Possum repellents

Having a pet such as a dog or cat can be handy as they are considered as predators. You can install motion sensitive lights and sprinklers. Strongly scented items with an unpleasant odour to possums can also be scattered around your yard, including garlic and mothballs, to deter possums.

Protect your yard from possums. Speak to an expert today.

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8371 1277

Professional possum control

If you’re noticing a possum problem around your home and yard, it’s not just a simple case of catching and moving the possum somewhere else by yourself.

Possum relocation permits

Regarded as protected wildlife in South Australia, possums can only be managed by individuals who have a Trap and Release permit issued by the Department for Environment and Heritage. This permit allows possums to be caught and relocated to another area within a 50m radius.

Don’t forget to inspect potted plants, mulch, hay and manure for signs of fire ants.

Cover all entry points

Being small in size, fire ants can squeeze through tiny gaps, cracks, crevices and holes to gain access inside your home. We recommend carefully inspecting your home for these tiny openings and sealing them off.

Allstate’s 6-step possum management program

At Allstate, our technicians are fully licensed with Trap and Release permits to control all possum issues.
Our technicians have a comprehensive approach to making sure that your home and yard stay possum-free for the long term. We follow a 6-step humane possum management program as detailed below:

  • Step 1: We inspect your home, particularly the roof, for all possible entry points
  • Step 2: We install a one-way door at the main access point
  • Step 3: We seal the remaining entry points to prevent possums from re-entering your roof space
  • Step 4: We leave a cage trap near the main access point to trap any possums. Our technicians will check the trap daily to make sure that the possum is safe and to minimise stress
  • Step 5: Once the possum (or possums) have been caught, we will clean the roof space to remove all possum scent pheromone markers
  • Step 6: The final step involves setting up a nesting box on a tree within 50m of your yard to give the possum a new home

 

Sometimes, the noises you hear in your roof turn out not to be possums, but rodents or birds. Fortunately, your Allstate technician is well trained to look out for signs of other pests, and will let always you know if they spot any other issues.

Choose Allstate for safe and reliable possum management

Having possums running around your yard can be both disruptive and destructive, so having professional assistance to quickly control an outbreak is extremely useful.

That’s why you can rely on Allstate for fast and effective professional possum removal at any time. We’re available 24/7 to all suburbs of Adelaide to manage possum problems of any size in residential, commercial and industrial settings.

Our technicians are fully equipped and highly trained to handle possums with a humane approach that is in line with Government regulations.

We offer payment plans to help you safeguard your home and yard with our effective possum management solutions, so do not hesitate to reach out to us anytime.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

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8371 1277

Your Guide To Fire Ant Control

Your Guide To Fire Ant Control

by | Apr 5, 2024 | Ants, Blog

Introduced to Australia over 20 years ago, fire ants are known for their painful stings. A serious agricultural pest, they will eat anything from plants, insects and decomposing animals to food staples in your kitchen. Avoid getting stung by feisty fire ants by reading our latest Hivemind article.

What questions will this article answer?

What is a fire ant?

Native to South America, but introduced to Australia over 20 years ago, fire ants are considered a serious agricultural pest.

They are reddish-brown coloured, with a rear segment that is usually dark brown and can range from 2-6mm in size, depending on their role in the colony. Winged fire ants can fly up to 5km away from the nest to expand the colony.

Known to feed on various crops including corn and soy, fire ants also have an appetite for okra, potato tubers and citrus fruit. However, these hungry insects are experts at scavenging insects, honeydew produced by aphids, flies, fly larvae, decomposing animals, seeds, as well as oily and sugary products.

With a unique behaviour of swarming their prey, they have strong jaws to secure their victims, and use painful stingers to inject venom. They can be particularly aggressive if their nest is disturbed, and are able to sting multiple times.

Fire ants can survive all year long, in climates that range from below freezing, to the relentless heat of droughts and even high rainfall.

Problems caused by fire ants

Although they are small, fire ants can cause a range of big problems. Here’s how:

Damage to your garden

With a big appetite for plants in your garden, fire ants feeds on plants such as corn and germinating seeds, potato tubers, okra and citrus fruit.

Disrupting outdoor activities

With the potential for venomous stings, you and your family will want to avoid disturbing fire ants and their mounds when outside. They can quickly swarm and sting their victims multiple times, especially when they feel threatened.

Painful stings

When stung by a fire ant, you may experience pain and a burning sensation, and be left with a swollen welt.

Allergic reactions

In some people, fire ant venom can trigger allergies, causing itchy rashes, and even possibly anaphylactic reactions.

Contamination

With their unhygienic foraging habits, fire ants will eat anything from decomposing dead animals, animal waste to food in your pantry. They will look for food and water from toilets, drains and sewers, as well as your kitchen sink. This means that they can potentially collect and spread a range of bacteria, germs and diseases inside your home, including salmonella, E.coli, fungi and staphylococcus and streptococcus infections.

Disturbing the ecosystem

With their aggressive behaviour, fire ants have been known to threaten native species of ants, dominating and disrupting the ecological balance of your yard over time.

Keep your family safe from fire ants. Speak to an expert today.

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8371 1277

How to identify a fire ant outbreak

Getting stung is definitely not pleasant, so it’s important know how to spot a fire ant infestation as quickly as possible. Here are the most common signs that you may have a fire ant problem:

You’re noticing a lot of fire ants around

If there’s more fire ants than usual, especially if they’ve managed to make it indoors, there’s a good chance that you may have an infestation on your hands.

Ant trails

If you see fire ants marching in lines along a well-defined path, this means that fire ants are foraging for food and living in a nest nearby, typically within 30m away.

Fire ant mounds

Found out in the open and resembling piles of disturbed dirt, with a flat or rounded top, fire ant nests can reach between 30-40cm high and 30-90cm in diameter. Unlike other ant species, there isn’t a clear hole or entry point at the apex.

Fire ants usually enter and exit their nest through underground tunnels with entry points that may be up to 30 feet away from the mound.

Depending on the weather, fire ant nests can look different. In warm climates or during drought, their nests might appear as small areas of loose soil. When the temperature drops, or there is rainfall, their nests may be more obvious and look larger in size.

Droppings

You may notice small granules, like sand or coffee grounds, which are brown, beige or black in colour scattered around your home or yard.

Ways to prevent a fire ant infestation

We recommend the following tasks to help you prevent fire ants from setting up a nest in your yard.

Regular yard maintenance

Clear away fallen or rotten fruit and vegetables, and keep plants, bushes and vegetation neatly trimmed, particularly ones that are growing near your home. Remove piles of debris and leaves and keep your lawns tidy to reduce hiding spots. Make sure that rubbish bins are tightly sealed, secured and covered.

Don’t forget to inspect potted plants, mulch, hay and manure for signs of fire ants.

Cover all entry points

Being small in size, fire ants can squeeze through tiny gaps, cracks, crevices and holes to gain access inside your home. We recommend carefully inspecting your home for these tiny openings and sealing them off.

Remove access to food and water

Fire ants can detect resources from a long distance away, so it’s best to keep food stored away, and avoid leaving bowls of water out in the open for long periods. This includes pet food. Keep your home clean by wiping down tabletops, benchtops, stoves and sinks after use, and clear away dirty dishes. Immediately clean up spills, remove crumbs from floors and furniture by vacuuming, mopping and sweeping.

Ant baits

There are several readily available products to protect your home from being invaded by fire ants. These are available from your local hardware store, and can include ant baits and insecticide sprays.

For expert advice on managing fire ants, contact Allstate today

or

8371 1277

Professional fire ant control

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a fire ant outbreak can be hard to manage without professional assistance. At Allstate, we have a range of targeted treatments, which are approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for safe use around your home.

Fire ant baits

Once consumed by foraging fire ants, the insecticide-laced bait is taken back to the colony and transmitted to other ants to destroy the colony.
Soaked in soybean oil, these baits are made of 1-2mm sized granules of corn grit and can be sprinkled near the nest itself, or scattered around the yard. Depending on the extent of the outbreak, way may use different types of baits. They contain the following chemical ingredients to stop ants in their tracks:

  • Insect growth regulator baits are made from s-methoprene or pyriproxyfen. They are effective in reducing the ant population by stopping their life cycle and can take up to 3-4 months to have their full effect
  • Fast acting insecticide usually consists of indoxacarb or hydramethylnon and pyriproxyfen. It typically takes only 1-4 weeks to reach their maximum effect

 

Direct nest injection

As the name suggests, we can directly apply fipronil, a strong insecticide liquid, to fill all the chambers of the fire ant nest as a fast solution to treat an outbreak. However, the treated area must not be disturbed for 24 hours, and the ground and its surrounds must remain dry and undisturbed for at least 7 days.

Choose Allstate for effective and long-lasting fire ant control

With your calendar filled with all sorts of outdoor activities to enjoy the last of the warm weather, there’s nothing worse than having the threat of a fire ant outbreak to spoil the fun. At Allstate, we’re here to help protect you and your family from fire ants.

Since 1986, Allstate has helped thousands of homes, businesses and industrial properties prevent and treat pest outbreaks. Available 24/7 to all suburbs of Adelaide, our highly trained and fully equipped pest technicians use innovative solutions and treatments which are safe for children, pets and the environment.

With payment plans available, you won’t need to delay any urgent fire ant treatment anymore. Ask one of our friendly pest consultants for reliable advice at any time.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

or

8371 1277

Pest Control in Action: How to Tackle Termite Infestations

Pest Control in Action: How to Tackle Termite Infestations

by | Mar 20, 2024 | Blog, Pest in Action

Pest Control in Action: How to Tackle Termite Infestations
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Pest Control in Action: How to Tackle Termite Infestations

forktree project tim

Have you ever wondered how professionals deal with termite problems? Our Pest Control in Action video series gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how we take on tough pest situations.

In this episode, Allstate pest technician Josh is tasked with conducting a termite inspection and installing the Sentricon termite management system at a residential property in Adelaide.

The termite control process

Inspection

Josh begins by thoroughly inspecting the interior of the home, checking for any signs of termite activity or damage. While he finds high moisture levels in the front room shower tiles (a conducive condition), there are no active termites or termite damage detected inside.

Roof void check

Next, Josh enters the roof void to closely examine this area. Pleasingly, he finds no termites, rodent droppings, or evidence of any other pest issues up in the roof space.

Sentricon installation

With no immediate termite threats identified, Josh proceeds to install the Sentricon system as a preventative measure. After marking out the station locations with the homeowner, he digs into the soil around the property’s perimeter and places the discrete Sentricon bait stations at strategic points.

Ongoing monitoring

To maintain maximum termite protection, the Sentricon system requires regular monitoring by Allstate technicians, who will inspect the stations every 3 months and replenish baits as needed. Based on his assessment, Josh recommends the homeowner continue with annual termite inspections.

The result

Allstate’s trusted Sentricon system provides reliable protection and monitoring to keep termites at bay. Josh’s diligent work has given this home a strong defensive line against potential termite infestations.

Established in 1986, Allstate has grown to become one of the best known and loved pest control providers for Adelaide families and businesses. Fully equipped to treat pest outbreaks in residential, commercial and industrial settings, our modern and innovative treatments will ensure that your property is safeguarded from pests for years to come.

For effective and reliable pest control services, contact Allstate today.

Choose Allstate for safe, nontoxic treatments to

protect your home or business from pests today.

or
8371 1277

Pest Control in Action: How to Control Termites with Chemical Treatment

Pest Control in Action: How to Control Termites with Chemical Treatment

by | Mar 10, 2024 | Blog, Pest in Action

Pest Control in Action: How to Control Termites with Chemical Treatment
mao0231

Pest Control in Action: How to Control Termites with Chemical Treatment

forktree project tim

Have you ever wondered how professionals deal with termite problems? Our Pest Control in Action video series gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how we take on tough pest situations.

When termites are detected, professional pest controllers must act quickly to manage the infestation and protect the property. In this Pest Control in Action episode, we follow Allstate technician Josh as he carries out a comprehensive chemical termite treatment.

The chemical termite treatment process

  • Preparation
    Josh begins by clearing access paths around the exterior walls of the home to allow for efficient treatment. Since this property had been previously treated, he locates the pre-existing drill holes to be reused.
  • Exterior Drill and Inject
    Using a specialised drill, Josh reopens the series of holes around the home’s perimeter at regular intervals. This allows the termiticide chemical to be pressure-injected into the soil surrounding the property.
  • Interior Drill and Inject
    Moving indoors, Josh also drills new holes through interior walls and injects termiticide into any potential termite entry points from inside the home.
  • Sub-Floor Spraying
    In properties with accessible underfloor areas, Josh applies a liquid termiticide spray throughout the sub-floor space to create another defensive barrier against termites.
  • Hole Patching
    After the chemical injections, Josh carefully patches up all the drill holes using cement to conceal the treatment points.

The result

The homeowners can breathe easy thanks to Allstate’s comprehensive termite treatment. Their team managed any existing termite threats and established long-lasting protection with a quality barrier that will safeguard the property for up to 5 years.

Established in 1986, Allstate has grown to become one of the best known and loved pest control providers for Adelaide families and businesses. Our knowledgeable and friendly technicians are available 24/7 to all suburbs of Adelaide. Fully equipped to treat pest outbreaks in residential, commercial and industrial settings, our modern and innovative treatments will ensure that your property is safeguarded from pests for years to come.

For effective and reliable pest control services, contact Allstate today.

Choose Allstate for safe, nontoxic treatments to

protect your home or business from pests today.

or
8371 1277

What do termite inspectors look for?

What do termite inspectors look for?

by | Feb 21, 2024 | Blog, Termites

Although they are a threat all year round, termite outbreaks can be hard to detect. In fact, termites are thought to affect 1 in 5 houses in Adelaide, and cause thousands of dollars in damage that unfortunately isn’t covered by insurance. Learn how licensed termite inspectors identify the subtle signs of an outbreak in this Hivemind article.

What questions will this article answer?

Why are termite inspections important?

A notorious pest in Australia, termites are estimated to cause over $100 million in damage to homes every year, affecting 1 in 5 houses in Adelaide.

Sadly, as termite-related damage is considered to be preventable, it is not covered by home and contents insurance.

That’s why government guidelines recommend termite inspections at least once a year, and more frequently if your property is at higher risk of an outbreak.

Since the cost of a termite inspection is much lower than price of repairs, it’s worth making sure that your home stays protected.

At Allstate, our comprehensive termite inspections start at $200 per visit and are conducted by our fully licensed inspectors who will send you a report documenting all their findings.

Signs of a termite outbreak

Unless you have a severe infestation on your hands, it can be hard to tell if you have a termite problem.

At Allstate, our professional termite inspectors have experience, extensive training and the right tools to recognise the subtle hints of a termite outbreak. Here are examples of early signs of termites:

Damage to walls, floors, skirting boards, beams and ceilings

Wooden structures inside your home are vulnerable to termites, and you may notice cracks, blisters, warping and sagging. Paint might appear to have bubbling or have water-stain marks.

Damage to trees, outdoor wooden structures, sleepers and furniture

Some species of termites prefer living in tree stumps and wooden structures above the ground, hollowing out the wood inside. This means that trees and branches may topple, and sleepers may crumble, potentially causing a hazard.

Hollow sounds in timber

If you knock or tap your walls and hear an empty, hollow sound, this could be due to termites tunnelling through the insides of the timber.

Mud tubes

Subterranean termites build tunnels to protect them when they are foraging for food away from their nests, which are located underground. These tunnels are usually made of a mixture of saliva, dirt, wood and other debris and provide a safe pathway to travel.

Clicking sounds in the wall

As termites tunnel through wood, they make clicking sounds with their constantly chewing jaws and teeth. Soldier termites are known to knock their heads on wood to make clicking noises and warn other termites of impending danger.

Termite wings

Winged termites or swarmers leave the colony every few years when it is ready to expand, and start a new one elsewhere. They’ll find an old tree stump or wood pile to create a nest. After mating, they will lose their wings, and you may see these accumulating around your windows and doors.

Termite droppings

If you notice a build up of a fine, dark, powdery substance on your floors, this could be due to a termite outbreak.

Tiny holes in wooden structures

These could be entry points for termites.

Windows and doors become hard to open

Termite activity can increase the amount of heat and moisture within affected structures, such as window and doorframes, and result in expansion. This can mean that doors and windows become hard to open.

Handle termites fast. Speak to an expert today.

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8371 1277

Types of termites

It’s helpful to know what types of termites are responsible for a termite outbreak, as they all behave differently. This can help us come up with a targeted treatment plan that effectively preventes the termites at their source, as quickly as possible.

Subterranean termites

With a preference to nest underground as their name suggests, subterranean termites thrive in moist conditions. They are 1/8 to 1 inch long and yellow to dark brown in colour. You can also find them in trees, dead stumps, and buried wooden poles and sleepers.

Dampwood termites

Found mainly in moist areas with decaying wood, dampwood termites thrive in tree stumps, logs and buried wooden poles such as fence posts. They are usually 1/2 to 5/8 inches long, with a creamy white to brown colouring.

Flying termites

Also known as swarmers, you’ll know that there is a mature colony within 100m if you see winged termites.

What happens during a termite inspection?

No matter the size of your property, your licensed Allstate termite inspector always has the right tools and knowledge conduct a thorough assessment inside and outside. They will also assess how well your current termite protection system is working.

Termite detection equipment

To help identify early signs of a termite outbreak, our termite inspectors use the following devices:

  • Borescopes assist with taking photographic evidence of termite activity within timber structures
  • Moisture meters can pinpoint areas with a higher than normal moisture content
  • Movement detectors can locate active termites
  • Sounding tools are tapped against timber structures to check their integrity

Physical inspection

Our termite inspectors will pay close attention to the following areas of your property, which are known to be popular spots for termite activity:

  • Timber beams
  • Interior rooms, covering the walls, floors, ceilings, door and window frames, skirting boards and cupboards
  • Subfloors
  • Outdoor/yard inspection, including the perimeter of the house, garden beds, sleepers, woodpiles, trees, stumps and wooden fencing
  • Interior and exterior sections of outbuildings

Don’t delay your termite inspection. Speak to an expert today.

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8371 1277

Professional termite prevention

Treating a termite outbreak happens over a period of time and requires patience. At Allstate, we use modern treatments with a proven effectiveness against termites.

Sentricon Always Active bait stations

Positioned 30cm away from your house, with each station 3m apart, Sentricon bait rods are positioned underground. They are laced with a termiticide that doesn’t harm pets or other wildlife, making them both safe and environmentally friendly.

Premise liquid spray

For large areas that have a significant amount of termite activity, we recommend a residual treatment spray as a fast and effective option to remove termites.

Choose Allstate for reliable and long-lasting termite protection

A termite outbreak can be stressful and expensive to fix, so we understand how important it is to prevent it from happening in the first place. That’s why yearly inspections by licensed termite inspectors can be extremely valuable.

Established in 1986, Allstate has been carrying out comprehensive termite inspections in homes and businesses across all suburbs of Adelaide for over 35 years. Using modern technology, our team is fully equipped and highly trained to assess properties of all sizes, inside and out.

Available 24/7 for urgent callouts, our inspections are covered by competitive warranties. You can even arrange for a payment plan, so there’s no need to delay your next termite inspection. Safeguard your home from termites today.

Our expert team is ready to help you now.

or

8371 1277

Cockroach control for distribution facilities

Cockroach control for distribution facilities

by | Feb 21, 2024 | Blog, Cockroach

No matter if it’s summer or winter, cockroaches are tough pests that are capable of surviving in any environment. With distribution facilities providing plenty of shelter, food and water, they provide ideal conditions for pesky cockroaches to spread germs and cause damage. Avoid a cockroach outbreak at your distribution facility with our tips in this Hivemind article.

What questions will this article answer?

Why are cockroaches attracted to distribution facilities?

Cockroaches are tough insects capable of thriving in a range of different conditions. They will look for shelter, warmth, food, water and quiet hiding spots to nest and breed all year round. With distribution facilities providing all these resources, it’s not hard to see why your facility could fall victim to a potential outbreak.

As the cockroach peak breeding season is summer, they’re often on the prowl for quiet hiding spots to lay eggs in the warmer months. However, cockroaches are just as likely to use the same places to hibernate in winter.

With a wide-ranging diet that consists of many organic and inorganic materials that are found in distribution facilities, they have easy access to food sources. These include paper, leather, fabric, cardboard, grease and starch found in packaging and transport products and of course, stock.

If your facility has wet areas or a high moisture environment, this can also entice cockroaches, which can often be found living in drains.

Common cockroach species

While cockroaches have wings, some species are not often airborne. This can have an impact on how we manage outbreaks. Here’s how to identify the most frequently sighted types of cockroaches in Australia:

American cockroach

They are reddish brown in colour and 35 to 40mm long.

German cockroach

Brown to dark brown coloured and 1 to -16mm long, they have 2 dark stripes along thorax. While they have wings, they rarely fly.

Australian cockroach

Ranging from 23 to 35mm long, they are brown coloured with pale stripes on their head.

Oriental cockroach

They tend to be dark brown to black coloured and 22 to 27mm long.

Problems caused by cockroaches

A notorious pest in industrial facilities, cockroaches can be found in many different places and cause disruption to your workplace. Here’s how:

Contaminate food and surfaces

Due to their unhygienic foraging habits, cockroaches collect germs and spread them along their travels.

Spread diseases

Your workplace could be at risk of illnesses such as gastroenteritis, salmonella, dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera, hepatitis A and leprosy.

Penalties for non-compliance to industrial health and safety standards

Breaching regulations can result in hefty financial penalties and affect your ability to trade as a business.

Damage to business reputation and operations

Clients, customers, employees and contractors will be deterred from attending your facility if there is a known cockroach outbreak.

Damage packaging, belongings, furniture, stock and furniture

Cockroaches have sharp teeth and strong jaws, which can chew through a wide range of materials found in distribution facilities, including grease, starch, plastic, leather goods, clothing, furniture and paper and cardboard.

Trigger allergies

With a known allergen called tropomyosin found in their droppings, and sometimes even parasitic worms, cockroaches can trigger asthma and eczema in employees and customers.

They are messy

Cockroaches leaving their droppings, eggs, moulted skins all around the workplace. This can make the floor slippery and unsafe. Their droppings also contain pheromones to attract more cockroaches to the area and make outbreaks even worse.

Manage cockroaches fast, speak to an expert today.

or

8371 1277

Signs of a cockroach outbreak

Look out for the following clues to know if you have a cockroach infestation on your hands:

You see live cockroaches

Typically nocturnal pests, if you see cockroaches in the daytime, this means that there’s a good chance that there are many more hidden away.

Droppings

Similar in appearance to coffee grounds, cockroach droppings are black, variable in length and less than 1mm wide.

Egg capsules

Cockroaches laying eggs means that it won’t be long before the population multiplies. Eggs can look different depending on the species of cockroach.

Moulted skins

Throughout their life cycle, cockroaches shed their outer layer as they grow in size. So, if you see skin shedding fragments around, this means that there could well be an outbreak.

Unpleasant odour

Cockroach droppings give off a musty odour that intensifies as the infestation worsens.

How to prevent cockroaches in distribution facilities

When it comes to outbreaks, cockroach prevention is far better than cure. We recommend the considering the following tips as part of your pest management plan:

Regular building maintenance

Building inspections are helpful to identify all possible entry points. By sealing them off, you can stop cockroaches from squeezing through very small gaps.

Check and repair all leaking pipes, faucets and drains as moisture attracts cockroaches.

Regularly clean and sanitise

For food preparation surfaces and food storage areas, good hygiene practices are key.

Remove all spilled food items and wipe down food preparation areas thoroughly. Consider disinfection as well.

Don’t forget to clean less frequently used areas and other potential hiding spots for cockroaches, including behind or underneath shelving and pallets.

Keep all food tightly sealed and properly stored away

Check that lids are secured tightly and all food packaging is intact.

Ensure all waste is properly disposed of

Make sure that lids are properly fitting and rubbish is tightly sealed off in bags.

Don’t delay cockroach treatment, get expert advice today

or

8371 1277

Professional Cockroach Control

All our pest control technicians are certified and compliant with Australian standards, including Food Safety Standard HACCP and Quality Standard ISO 9001. We use the following methods to control a cockroach outbreak:

Cockroach bait

Baits contain insecticide in a solid, liquid or gel form. They are strategically placed close to established nesting areas and feeding sites.

Insecticide Spray

Applied to the perimeters of the affected building, an insecticide spray acts as a deterrent for cockroaches to enter the building from outside.

Cockroach control dust

For hard to reach places, especially small spaces such as cracks and crevices, which are popular hiding spots for cockroaches, we sprinkle insecticide granules.

Fumigation

Usually used alongside other methods, this is effective for more serious infestations in a confined space. We’ll seal off the area before applying the treatment.

Heat treatment

This is a chemical free and the most environmentally friendly method for cockroach prevention. Dry heat of between 50-60 degrees Celsius is delivered using a mobile system to prevente cockroaches at any stage of their life cycle.

Integrated pest management for distribution facilities

For over 35 years, we have partnered with many businesses to prevent all unwanted pest outbreaks. Our Integrated Pest Management System plays an important role in keeping staff, clients, customers and workplaces safe all across Adelaide.

With a dedicated pest control technician assigned to your facility, to perform an initial inspection, we will thoroughly check for any risks, current pest control measures and learn how your business operates. This information will help us to come up with a personalised Pest Management program for your facility.

Using our 24/7 online portal you’ll be able to access, manage and update your Pest Management Program. This includes all compliance documentation, your pest management strategy and inspection reports. You’ll be able to report any new concerns immediately. Our tailored approach makes it easy for you to alert your assigned pest control technician to any new issues and receive accurate advice as quickly as possible.

For up-to-date pest control technology at your fingertips, contact Allstate today.

Choose Allstate for safe and effective cockroach management

At Allstate, we understand how devastating cockroach outbreaks can be in large, busy distribution facilities. We have the experience to help you come up with an effective pest management program to protect your business from cockroaches, allowing you to redirect your time and energy into other important matters.

Since 1986, we have helped businesses in all suburbs of Adelaide with pest control services. Whether you have a small or large facility, our technicians are equipped with the latest in pest control technology to keep all pests out. Available 24/7 for urgent enquiries, we also offer flexible appointment times to minimise disruption to your day to day operations.

Our treatments are non-toxic to people and the environment, and covered by competitive warranties.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

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