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THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SILVERFISH CONTROL

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SILVERFISH CONTROL

They live up to 6 years, thrive in tough environments, and have an appetite for many household items. Silverfish feed on everything from pantry staples such as grains and cereals to paper, fabric, and furniture, making your home or business the perfect haven for them to feed and breed.

Avoid falling victim to a silverfish outbreak by following our tips and tricks in this Hivemind article on silverfish control.

What questions will this article answer?

What is a silverfish?

Known for their fish-like scales, silverfish are segmented insects that grow 2-18mm in length, have antennae flat in shape with a wider head and tapered rear, and while they are often silver in colour, they can also be bronze, gold or even brown. They are usually covered in fine hairs, and have weak jaws, but strong chewing teeth.

Silverfish have long lifespans and can live for up to 6 years, with females laying up to 60 eggs at a time.

Why are there silverfish in my house?

With a reputation for surviving in tough environments, silverfish are clever at seeking discreet places to shelter and breed. Your home or business can offer them the perfect opportunity to thrive if you let them!

They are attracted to moist and humid environments, such as your kitchen, bathroom, laundry, basement, roof void, cupboards, around soft furnishings, inside windows and door frames, and behind skirting boards. You can also find them around pipes and drains.

Silverfish have an appetite for sugary, starchy or polysaccharide-rich products, so they have plenty of food sources in your home. From pantry staples such as dried grains, rice, pasta and cereals to natural or synthetic fabrics such as wool, cotton, silk and rayon, silverfish can quickly scavenge for food.

They will also eat paper-based items such as photographs and books, as well as timber and plaster. You might even notice them chewing at wood-based musical instruments and piano felt. It’s vital to know silverfish control tips and silverfish treatment methods.

Prevent silverfish fast. Speak to our expert team now.

or

Problems caused by silverfish

A few silverfish here and there won’t usually cause too many issues. However, if this progresses to a full-blown outbreak, you may experience the following problems in your home or business:

Food contamination

Attracted to sugary and starchy food, silverfish can help themselves to your pantry items before you’ve tried them yourself.

Damage to your belongings

With an appetite for paper-based items and fabrics, silverfish can destroy household items such as books, photographs, artwork, clothing, furniture, curtains and other precious items.

Allergy/asthma triggers

Some people may develop health problems after encountering silverfish droppings and moulted outer skins.

Trouble controlling outbreaks

Given their small size, silverfish can avoid treatment by hiding and laying eggs in hard-to-reach places such as tiny holes, gaps, cracks and crevices

Messy droppings and skins

Having silverfish droppings and moulted skins scattered around your home and business means you may need to clean more often.

Signs of a silverfish outbreak

Here are some ways to tell if you have a silverfish infestation on your hands:

You notice more silverfish

Particularly at night, as they are nocturnal.

Your belongings are damaged

Although they have weak jaws, silverfish can still chew through food sources layer by layer. If you notice tears and holes in clothes, furniture and paper-based products, you could have a silverfish outbreak on your hands.

You spot droppings

Silverfish leave behind round, dark droppings that resemble peppercorns.

Shedded skins are lying around

Like many insects, silverfish grow and moult their outer skin casing throughout their lives. Look for discarded skins accumulating around your home. Often, these can break down into yellowish-coloured flakes or dust.

Protect your home from silverfish damage. Speak to an expert today.

or

How to prevent a silverfish infestation

Like cockroaches, silverfish can survive for a long time without food and can be hard to remove once their colony is established.

We recommend keeping your house clean and tidy to remove eggs and traces of starch particles that attract silverfish. Remember to dust, vacuum, sweep, and mop underneath furniture and heavy appliances, and include less frequented areas such as storage rooms. Consider steam cleaning furniture where possible.

Here are eight more tips to prevent silverfish:

  1.  Remove unnecessary clutter such as boxes, paper stacks and laundry.

     

  2. Keep clothes and fabric items, especially those not worn often, stored away in wardrobes, drawers, and closets. Mothballs are an effective silverfish deterrent in these areas.

     

  3. Consider storing precious fabric items, photos, and books in tightly sealed bags and boxes.

     

  4. Reducing the moisture in your home can also make it less inviting for silverfish. You can use dehumidifiers and fans in damp areas and keep windows open.

     

  5. Dry foods, particularly those with a high sugar or starch content, should be stored in your pantry and tightly sealed in containers to reduce moisture.

     

  6. Regularly inspect your home for entry points, roof voids and other hiding spots. Silverfish hide in tiny cracks, crevices, gaps, and holes, which you should seal with caulking. Remember, their natural habitat is in soil and under stones in the garden.

     

  7. Yard maintenance can also help reduce the number of hiding spots for silverfish outdoors. Clear away piles of vegetation, decaying plants, and wood.

     

  8. Natural deterrents that give off an unpleasant smell to these wingless insects include cedar oil, which can be mixed with water in a spray bottle, and dried bay leaves, which can be scattered around your home.

    Known for their destructive feeding habits, adult silverfish can cause a severe problem in large numbers, damaging household items such as books, photographs, or paintings

    DIY silverfish removal

    You can purchase indoor and outdoor pesticide sprays from hardware stores and apply these to all affected areas. This includes window sills, door frames, air vents, inside cupboards, behind and underneath furniture, fixtures and appliances. Don’t forget the air vents and gutters outside. Pay attention to tiny gaps, holes, cracks and crevices.

    Adhesive silverfish traps, also available from hardware stores, can be helpful in areas of concern.

    For suitable fabrics, washing in hot water and using the hottest setting in the dryer can help destroy silverfish and their eggs. Freezing delicate textiles and paper-based items in tightly sealed plastic bags will also manage silverfish.

    For professional silverfish removal advice, speak to an expert today

    or

    Professional silverfish prevention

    With the ability to hide away and lay eggs, and a lifespan of around six years, silverfish can be tricky to manage. If needed, we offer ongoing pest control to ensure that your home or business stays silverfish-free for the long term.

    Our technicians will always begin by conducting a thorough inspection to identify possible entry points and nesting areas.

    For a targeted approach to resolve any outbreaks, Allstate uses a combination of the following proven treatment methods:

    Pesticide sprays

    Applied to affected areas, aerosol sprays can control silverfish outbreaks quickly.

    Silverfish control dust

    Control dust, such as diatomaceous earth, sprinkled in hard-to-reach areas, including wall cavities, gaps, and crevices, can deter silverfish from breeding and building nests there.

    Fumigation

    Fumigation may be necessary to destroy all nests during widespread and severe outbreaks. Our technicians are trained to take precautions and ensure the safety of your family and pets during this treatment.

    Choose Allstate for fast and reliable silverfish removal

     

    Seeing silverfish crawling around and damaging your belongings can be stressful and frustrating, but thankfully it’s possible to manage them fast with help from professional pest control.

    At Allstate, our technicians are highly trained in silverfish behaviour and fully equipped to tackle outbreaks of all sizes in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. With 24/7 availability for urgent callouts to all suburbs of Adelaide, we’ve had experience preventing silverfish infestations for over 35 years.

    We take all precautions in pest control for silverfish to keep you and your family safe with indoor treatments. We only use non-toxic products that are safe for children, pets, and the environment.

    All our silverfish control services are backed by competitive warranties and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. You can also use our payment plans to remove any silverfish problems around your home or business as quickly as possible.

    Our expert team is ready to help you now

    or

    HOW TO AVOID COCKROACH INFESTATION

    HOW TO AVOID COCKROACH INFESTATION

    HOW TO AVOID COCKROACH INFESTATION

    Though they are small, cockroaches are experts at carrying and spreading germs and diseases from one place to another. This can potentially pose a huge problem not just in your home, but also if you are running a commercial business. Don’t get caught out by a sneaky cockroach outbreak over the upcoming holiday season. We have some tips to help you keep cockroaches away for good.

    What questions will this article answer?

    Why you need to avoid a cockroach outbreak

    Although they don’t bite humans, cockroaches are able to transmit a range of nasty diseases and germs from one place to another.

    This is because they live and feed in sewers, rubbish bins and other unsanitary places which are brimming with bacteria, viruses and parasites. These harmful organisms can accumulate and then be passed on through cockroach droppings and saliva. Some can even hitchhike to other places by latching onto the cockroach’s legs.

    If you happen to ingest food or drink that has been in contact with a cockroach, it could well be contaminated and cause potentially serious illness. This is particularly problematic not just for homes, but also for hospitality businesses.

    Get fast cockroach treatment today, speak to our expert team

    or

    Problems caused by cockroaches

    Skilled at surviving in different environments, cockroaches can be just as comfortable living in your rubbish bin as they are in your pantry or bathroom. However, this means that they can contaminate once-sterile surfaces and places and cause a wide range of illnesses and diseases. This includes diarrhoea, food poisoning, typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A and leprosy.

    With sharp teeth and strong jaws, they can chew through plastic, fabric, furniture, books and leather goods.

    Cockroach droppings also contain pheromones which attract more cockroaches to the same area.

    Some people may even experience allergic reactions to cockroach droppings, shed skins, and saliva. Those with asthma may need to take extra precautions.

    How to identify a cockroach outbreak

    While it’s common to notice an odd cockroach here and there, this can also be a sign that there are many more hiding away quietly. Here’s how to tell if you have a full-blown infestation on your hands:

    You notice cockroaches in the daytime

    As nocturnal creatures, cockroaches usually only prefer to roam around at night. However, if you notice them at other times, this could indicate that you have an outbreak.

    Droppings

    If you’re consistently seeing tiny black granules that resemble coffee grounds scattered around, these could be cockroach droppings.

    A musty odour

    Cockroach droppings leave behind an unpleasant smell.

    Egg capsules

    While they vary in shape between species, they are usually tan, black or brown coloured and shaped like a pill.

    Shed skin

    As cockroaches grow, they will shed their outer skin and leave it behind. In the event of an outbreak, this would be a common sighting.

    How to prevent a cockroach infestation

    We recommend keeping cockroaches out of your home or business in the first place, as well as reducing available food sources and hiding spots.

    Cockroaches will eat almost anything, including meat and vegetables, sweet or greasy foods, paper, leather and fabric. This means that it’s important to keep all food tightly stored away and ensuring that your kitchen and dining areas are clean. Wipe away spills and grease, wash cutlery and keep sinks and drains clear. Practice good hygiene when handling food. Clean tables and benches as well after use. Don’t forget to tightly seal and cover rubbish and discard pet waste.

    Regular building maintenance also plays a key role in keeping cockroaches away. Being small and flat, they can crawl through small gaps to gain entry, so you’ll need to carefully check for all potential entry points and seal them with gap filler or expanding foam.

    Leaking pipes and drains create a damp environment for cockroaches to thrive, so we suggest checking for leaks and repairing them as quickly as possible.

    Manage cockroaches for good, speak to an expert today

    or

    Professional cockroach treatment

    In the event of an outbreak, it’s best to call in the experts to get the problem under control fast, and to stop it from happening again.

    We use the following methods to prevente a cockroach infestation.

    Cockroach insecticide

    We apply this to the perimeters of the building to stop cockroaches from entering inside, as well as to established nesting areas.

    Cockroach control dust

    For access to hard-to-reach places, such as voids, cracks and crevices, we sprinkle tiny insecticide granules to encourage cockroaches out of the hiding spots. You may initially notice an increase in the number of cockroaches as a result.

    Gel baits

    Bait stations containing an insecticide gel can be strategically positioned at well-known feeding sites.

    Pest Management Programs for businesses

    To help our commercial and industrial clients to prevent cockroach outbreaks and meet their health and safety requirements, we offer a cost-effective integrated pest management service. This includes routine pest inspections, as well as an online reporting portal to access reports, records and trends at any time.

    Speak to one of our friendly customer service consultants to learn more about our pest management services for businesses.

    Choose Allstate for fast and effective cockroach extermination

    At Allstate, we understand that the last thing anyone needs is an outbreak of cockroaches in your home or business while you’ve been away for holidays. But thankfully, with the right treatment, you can have the problem under control quickly.

    Since 1986, we have been providing pest control services to all suburbs of Adelaide. With a 24/7 availability, our highly trained team can provide advice for urgent enquiries in residential, commercial and industrial settings. Rest assured that our treatments are non-toxic to children, pets and the environment.

    All our services come with competitive warranties and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We can even provide finance options so that you can easily access our effective cockroach managion treatments without delay.

    Our expert team is ready to help you now

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    YOUR GUIDE TO SUMMER FLY CONTROL

    YOUR GUIDE TO SUMMER FLY CONTROL

    YOUR GUIDE TO SUMMER FLY CONTROL

    A quintessential part of the Australian summer, it’s often hard to keep flies away from your backyard barbecue. In this Hivemind article, we have some tips to help you stop them from being a nuisance this festive season.

    What questions will this article answer?

    Why are there so many flies in summer?

    Although flies can survive all year round, they certainly seem to hang around more often during summer.

    This is because the hot weather provides ideal conditions for them to breed. In fact, it significantly speeds up the time needed for their eggs to hatch and for their larvae to mature into adults.

    The heat can also drive them indoors to cooler places like your home, to seek out shade and protection, and look for breeding sites.

    Don’t let flies spoil your summer plans – get expert advice fast

    or

    Common types of flies you’ll notice in summer

    While there are an estimated 30,000 species of fly in Australia, we’ve put together a list of the ones that you are more likely to encounter this summer.

    Houseflies
    Attracted to food scraps, compost and waste, houseflies are dull grey in colour, with 4 stripes on their thorax. They grow up to 1/4 inch long.

    Bushflies
    With a similar appearance to house flies, bush flies can grow up to 2-6mm long. They are drawn to body fluids on mammals, such as sweat, saliva and tears, as well as animal waste.

    Blowflies
    Large and shiny looking, blowflies are usually 2-18mm long, dull grey or black coloured and covered with hairs. They prefer to feed on rotten food including waste from hospitality venues, as well as dead animals such as birds and rodents.

    Horseflies
    Feeding on blood from mammals, horseflies are drawn to livestock and humans. They are quite large and easy to spot, as they grow up to 10-30mm long, and have a grey or black colour.

    Mosquitoes
    Well known for their itchy bites as they draw blood to feast on, mosquitoes are a type of fly. They are mostly grey coloured and grow between 0.1-0.4 inches long.

    Problems caused by flies

    An outbreak of flies can put your home or business at risk of these issues:

    Constant buzzing noises
    Having a swarm of flies can be a constant noisy distraction and affect visibility, leading to disruption and reduced productivity.

    Contamination of food and sterile surfaces
    Along their foraging adventures, flies have contact with unsanitary areas that contain waste, including toilets and decomposing meat which are filled with germs and diseases. These can be picked up by the fine hairs on their body and transferred to other places through their droppings, vomit and saliva.

    Spread of disease
    You could be at risk of food poisoning, parasitic worms, diarrhea, salmonella, typhoid, dysentery and trachoma.

    How to spot a fly outbreak

    While you may notice a few flies around every now and then, here’s how to tell if you’re about to experience a full-blown outbreak:

     

    • You consistently notice a large number of flies
    • You can see fly droppings, known as “spotting”, which look like dark spots on benches, tables, floors and window sills
    • You notice creamy coloured maggots, which indicates there is a breeding site nearby. This is most commonly a waste area

    How to prevent flies in your home or business

    As notorious scavengers, flies are drawn to a variety of potential food sources. While some flies are attracted to decaying organic matter including rotten protein and waste, others are more drawn to sugary substances. Either way, it’s important to deter them from coming inside and causing a nuisance.

    Physically covering all potential entry points is a good starting point. Consider installing fly screens over windows and doors, particularly in the kitchen and waste areas. Seal gaps around doors and windows.

    We also recommend avoiding leaving food out in the open and keeping waste covered. With their highly sensitive antennae, they’re able to detect food sources from long distances away. So, you can consider regularly cleaning your kitchen by wiping and clearing away food debris and spills from tables, benches and sinks, washing dishes and cutlery, as well as mopping floors. Remove garbage and pet waste regularly and make sure bins have tight-fitting lids.

    Remove water sources by fixing leaking taps, pipes and drains. Also, don’t forget to remove food blockages from pipes and drains.

    Prevent flies fast – speak to an expert today

    or

    Professional fly prevention

    All our fly control services are compliant with food standard HACCP, to ensure that the treatment you receive at your business are compliant with health and safety regulations.

    We’ll usually begin by assessing the area for potential fly attractants and breeding sites, then provide advice on the best ways to remove them.

    For severe outbreaks, we recommend treatment including insecticide aerosol sprays, fogging, dusting powder and baiting units.

    If you’re in a commercial or industrial facility and needing a longer lasting solution, we can install a fly killer unit.

    Pest Management Programs for commercial and industrial businesses
    Flies can be a significant problem in the food industry. We understand how important it is to protect the reputation of your business by upholding government guidelines on food standards, handling and safety.

    That’s why our integrated pest management services will provide you with ongoing, regular assistance to ensure that you stay up to date with pest control.

    Drawing on our 35+ years of experience in pest control, we use a systematic and proven approach to prevent all potential pest activity at your business and to meet the requirements of auditors. Contact Allstate today for more information about long term pest control for your business.

    Choose Allstate for reliable and effective fly removal

    For many of us, it’s a nuisance and distraction to have to constantly swat flies away whilst trying to enjoy summer festivities and outdoor dining.

    That’s why at Allstate, our expert pest control technicians are fully equipped to combat all fly outbreaks in residential, commercial and industrial settings across all suburbs of Adelaide. Available 24/7, we are always ready to answer your urgent enquiries.

    As a family-owned business, we’ve been providing pest control since 1986. We use modern, innovative treatments which are nontoxic for pets, people and the environment.

    Covered by competitive warranties and a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all our services, you can even make use of our payment plans to access fast fly extermination at any time.

    Our expert team is ready to help you now

    or

    TYPES OF TERMITES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

    TYPES OF TERMITES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

    TYPES OF TERMITES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

     

    With one in five homes experiencing extensive structural damage from termites, they are a notorious pest in South Australia.

    However, while there are over 300 species of termites in Australia, only a small number are responsible for the destruction that causes an average of $10,000 to fix.

    We’ve put together this Hivemind article to give you a simple rundown on the termites that could be infesting your home or business, and how to manage them.

    What questions will this article answer?

    Why is identifying the type of termite important in an outbreak?

    Although there are over 300 species of termites known to Australia, there are only a few that are known to cause significant damage to buildings, timber and other cellulose-rich products.

    As different species have their own nesting and feeding behaviours, knowing exactly which termite is responsible for the infestation can help your pest technician to come up with an effective approach to treat the problem for good.

    Depending on their role in the colony, termites from the same nest can vary in appearance. For example, if you see winged termites or swarmers, this could mean that the colony is spreading to other locations so your property may be at risk of multiple attacks.

    Subterranean termites

    Considered the most destructive termite species in all of Australia, subterranean termites must have a moisture source to survive. As their name suggests, their preferred nesting environment is underground in soil, but they can thrive anywhere, as long as there is moisture around.

    Subterranean termites are yellow to dark brown in colour and range from 1/8 to 1 inch in length.

    They make brown coloured shelter or mud tubes to protect themselves when they are foraging away from their nest. These are made from soil, droppings, saliva and wood.

    You’ll find them nesting in trees and dead stumps, as well as wooden poles where the timber has been buried as they favour rotten wood that is easier to digest.

    Dampwood termites

    Known as “rotten wood” termites, dampwood termite colonies are generally small and don’t cause extensive structural damage like drywood, and therefore tend to be considered a more minor pest than other termite species.

    Dampwood termites are mainly found in areas with high moisture content and decaying wood, especially timber that is stored outside. This includes such as tree stumps and logs, as well as buildings and fences that remain in contact with soil.

    They tend to be larger in size compared to other termite species, ranging from 1/2 an inch to 5/8 inch in length, with creamy white to brown coloured bodies.

    Prevent termites once and for all. Speak to an expert today.

    or

    What types of termites do you find within colonies?

    Although different termite species can look similar, those within the same colony can look quite different, depending on their role .

    Queen

    Responsible for laying eggs to populate the colony, Queen termites can grow up to 4 inches long, and live for 25-50 years. They can darken in colour over time from a pale yellow-brown to black. Queens are usually a rare sighting because they live deep underground to remain protected from predators.

    King

    Between 4-6mm in size, King termites become darker coloured as they mature, and have wings. Like Queens, Kings are responsible for reproduction, but they also help care for young termites in the early stages of the colony before there are enough workers to take over.

    Workers

    Making up over 90% of the colony, termite workers are around 4-6mm long and creamy white coloured. As their name suggests, they are responsible for gathering food, making tunnels, caring for other termites and maintaining the nest.

    Soldiers

    Responsible for defending the colony against predators, soldier termites are equipped with either large jaws or snouts. With darker heads and beige coloured bodies, they can grow between 5-6.5mm long.

    Alates

    With the role of eventually flying away to begin a new colony elsewhere, these reproductive termites are also known as swarmers. They range between 1/4 to 1/2 an inch long and are dark grey to black in colour. Their wings are either brown or grey coloured.

    How to prevent a termite outbreak

    No matter the species of termite, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of termites invading your home or business.

    Firstly, we recommend having termite inspections at least once a year to detect the earliest signs of termite activity. At Allstate, our licensed termite inspectors are always fully equipped to provide comprehensive termite assessments to residential, commercial and industrial properties.

    As high moisture levels can attract termites, it’s worthwhile checking for any leaks in your roof, pipes and drains. Also remember to look for condensation in your heating and cooling systems. Fixing these problems early can make a big difference in reducing your risk of a termite infestation.

    We also recommend regular yard maintenance to remove old tree stumps and trimming back shrubs and tree branches that are growing against the walls of your building. Store piles of wood and timber in a dry area away from your home and repair damaged wooden furniture with sealed and treated wood.

    Learn more about termite inspections here.

    Don’t delay your termite inspection contact Allstate today

    or

    Professional termite treatment

    It’s important to exterminate termites at the first sign of an infestation. At Allstate, our effective termite prevention and prevention options are covered by comprehensive warranties, guaranteeing that you and your family have long-lasting protection.

    Sentricon® Always Active™

    Laced with termiticide poison as well as a termite attractant, Sentricon® baiting rods are installed underground around the perimeter of your home. Termites that feed off the rods will then return to the colony and pass on the termiticide, eventually killing off the population. By targeting termites only, these baiting stations will not affect insects or wildlife, making them a safe and environmentally friendly option.

    Premise

    A liquid spray containing a powerful termiticide, we use Premise to treat large areas with known termite activity both quickly and effectively. This increases the opportunity for more termites to interact with the termiticide and speed up destruction of the colony.

    Choose Allstate for safe and effective termite prevention

    With many species of termites posing a risk to homes and businesses in South Australia, it’s essential to avoid the extensive damage and costly repair bills caused by termite activity.

    Fortunately at Allstate, we offer regular comprehensive termite inspections conducted by licensed termite inspectors, and targeted treatment and preventative options to protect you and your family.

    Family owned and operated, we have been providing pest control services to all suburbs of Adelaide since 1986. Available 24/7 for urgent enquiries, our technicians use modern and innovative pest management methods to help residential, commercial and industrial clients.

    Our products and services are backed by competitive warranties, a 100% service guarantee and we also have payment plans available.

    For more information on our termite control services, you can visit our termite control page .

    Our expert team is ready to help you now

    or

    HOW TO SPOT VENOMOUS SPIDERS THIS SUMMER

    HOW TO SPOT VENOMOUS SPIDERS THIS SUMMER

    HOW TO PREVENT A FLEA INFESTATION IN YOUR HOME

    Of the estimated 10,000 species of spiders living in Australia, only a few of them have harmful venomous bites – BUT they’re definitely spiders you want to avoid! Now that we’re in peak spider season, we’ve put together this guide to the more harmful creepy crawlies you might encounter, so that you and your family can enjoy the sunny weather in peace.

    What questions will this article answer?

    Why are deadly spiders a problem in summer?

    Summer is the peak time for many insects to emerge from winter hibernation in order to reproduce and look for food. Hungry spiders are no exception.

    With plenty of food sources around to support their mating season, you’ll tend to notice spiders around the place more often as they sneak indoors to escape the heat.

    While there are an estimated 10,000 species of spiders living in Australia, most of them aren’t harmful to humans. Although they’ll most likely bite when they are disturbed, these bites aren’t usually venomous or painful. They might just leave a mild, itchy bump on the skin for a short time.

    However, spiders with more potent venomous bites can cause more serious illness which requires immediate medical attention. The good news is that there are antivenom treatments readily available, so you should be fine if you see the doctor quickly.

    Get effective spider removal advice today

    or

    By Toby Hudson – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18357388

    Redback spiders

    Though they are notorious for their potent venous bites, redback spiders aren’t aggressive pests unless disturbed. They have a black body with a distinguishing red stripe on upper abdomen. Females grow up to 15mm long and males up to 5mm long.

    They spin messy webs and prefer hiding in quieter places around your home, such as garages, mailboxes, sheds, under ledges and outdoor furniture. In your garden, they may be seen in branch hollows or tucked away in small crevices between rocks.

    White tailed spiders

    Known for their dark red to grey, cigar-shaped body with a characteristic white spot at the tip, white tail spiders are a nocturnal hunting spider. While they don’t spin webs to catch insects, instead, they hunt other spiders for food, such as daddy long legs, redback and black house spiders.

    You’ll find them living beneath leaf litter and piles of vegetation in your garden, as well as underneath tree bark and rocks.

    Males grow up to 12mm long and females up to 20mm long.

    White-tail spiders belong to the Lampona genus. Image credit: Fir0002/Flagstaffotos (GFDL v1.2)

    Manage deadly spiders fast!

    or

    By fir0002flagstaffotos [at] gmail.comCanon 20D + Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 – Own work, GFDL 1.2, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=197252

    Funnel web spiders

    While not all species of funnel web spiders are known to be dangerous, several are renowned for their highly toxic and fast acting venom.

    They are more commonly found in the Adelaide Hills; living underground in silk-lined burrows in moist, cool and sheltered habitats. You may find them in dense shrubs or under rocks, rotten logs or rot and borer holes in trees.

    Funnel web spiders are usually black to brown coloured and front part of their body is glossy and covered with hairs. They’re known to grow up to 1-5 cm long.

    Mouse spiders

    Often confused with funnel web spiders, mouse spiders have a distinctive bulb-shaped head and jaw.

    You’ll find them in burrows that can be more than 1m deep, so they are more reclusive than aggressive by nature.

    They are mainly black or dark blue in colour but can have bright red or orange-red coloured jaws or around their eyes, as well as a light grey to white patch on top of their abdomen. Adult mouse spiders vary from 10-35mm in length.

    Robertwhyteus, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
    By Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE – Corsican Trapdoor Spider (Cteniza sauvagesi), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40076014

    Trapdoor spiders

    Famous for their silk-lined burrows which have a hinged lid at the entrance, trapdoor spiders like to hide up to 250mm deep underground, so you may only come across them if you’re digging through soil or moving around some rocks.

    While they look similar to funnel web spiders, they are less venomous. They are yellow and reddish-brown coloured, shiny with a hairy coat, and grow between 1-4cm long.

    Black house spiders

    A common sight around the home, black house spiders spin fine, lacy webs in zig zag patterns that aren’t sticky. However, they do leave behind old sheets which become messy.

    They grow up to 15mm long and are dark brown to black, with a textured velvet appearance.

    Black house spiders prefer living in dry habitat areas and secluded locations such as window frames, gutters, eaves, bricks, garages, sheds and even toilets. Outdoors, you may come across them among rocks and underneath tree bark, or inside tree trunks and logs.

    By fir0002flagstaffotos@gmail.com Canon 20D + Sigma 150mm f/2.8 – Own work, GFDL 1.2, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2850030
    By Raphaël Poupon – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83308049

    Wolf spiders

    A type of hunting spider that doesn’t spin webs, wolf spiders come out at night to hunt and prey on insects. You’ll find them living underground in burrows lined with silk, which may be covered by a lid or leaf litter.

    Adult wolf spiders are usually mottled grey or brown coloured and are well known for their Union Jack-style pattern on their upper abdomen. They grow between 15-30mm in size. Female wolf spiders carry their young on their back.

    How to prevent deadly spiders this summer

    The best way to keep spiders away from your home or business is to seal off entry points, reduce the number of hiding spots and remove all potential food sources.

    Regularly cleaning inside, such as sweeping, wiping and mopping can assist with removing insects that attract spiders, and clearing away cobwebs and spider eggs. Don’t forget to check behind the furniture, window corners and other less frequented areas.

    We also recommend regular garden and yard maintenance, such as trimming back plants and trees that are growing close to your building to reduce access, as well as mowing lawns. Dispose of litter piles such as leaves and move wood piles away from your building. Keep compost and rubbish bins well secured. However, please take care to wear gloves when gardening in case you happen to disturb some deadly spiders!

    You can also purchase insect repelling night light bulbs from your local hardware store.

    Professional spider extermination

    At Allstate, our spider removal technicians are highly trained to understand spider behaviour, so we’ll conduct a thorough assessment of the outbreak to work out the source.

    From here, we’ll come up with a personalised treatment plan for you to make sure that the problem is properly resolved.

    We normally use a combination of spider control insecticide, which is sprayed around the perimeters of your building, as well as spider control dust, which is applied in voids and cavities.

    We understand the risks of dealing with deadly spiders, so we take great care to carry out our work safely.

    You can rest assured that if you have children or pets that our treatments are non-toxic and approved for use by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

    Read more about spider control.

    Choose Allstate for safe and effective spider prevention

    Coming into summer, the last thing you need to worry about is deadly spiders lurking around when you just want to relax and enjoy outdoor activities.

    That’s why at Allstate, we’re available 24/7 for urgent advice to all suburbs of Adelaide. No matter if you’re in a commercial, residential or industrial building, our fully equipped technicians are ready to assist with spider outbreaks of all sizes.

    Since 1986, we have been providing pest control services with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and covered by competitive warranties. With payment plans now available, we can resolve all your spider problems quickly with our innovative, long-lasting treatments.

    Our expert team is ready to help you now

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    HOW TO PREPARE FOR A MOSQUITO FREE SUMMER

    HOW TO PREPARE FOR A MOSQUITO FREE SUMMER

    HOW TO PREPARE FOR A MOSQUITO FREE SUMMER

     

    Looking forward to outdoor entertaining over the festive season? Watch out for pesky mosquitoes! It’s not just their itchy and irritating bites that will spoil the fun – they can also spread some pretty nasty diseases.

    Avoid getting bitten with an unexpected mosquito outbreak this summer. Our latest Hivemind article is here to keep you mosquito free.

    What questions will this article answer?

    Why are mosquitoes more common in summer?

    As the weather heats up, it supports the mosquito life cycle by providing them with ideal conditions to flourish.

    Female mosquitoes are known to lay eggs more frequently in warm weather, with up to 100 per batch. Once these hatch, their larvae will grow, ideally in an environment that is between 7-16 degrees Celsius, surrounded by a source of water.

    The process of larval development can speed up in warmth and humidity, so if these ideal conditions coincide, this can have a significant impact of the mosquito population. For prolonged periods of heat, this means that mosquitoes are more likely to keep reproducing.

    As adult mosquito metabolism increases with hot weather, you’ll be more likely to notice them flying around scavenging for food. This is usually in the form of blood from a host for female mosquitoes, and plant nectar for males.

    Signs of a mosquito outbreak

    While it’s not unusual to notice more mosquitoes in warm weather, here’s some ways that you can tell if you have a full-blown infestation:

    You frequently hear buzzing sounds

    Due to the rapid beating of their wings during flight, mosquitoes give off a persistent, characteristic high pitched buzzing noise.

    You notice more mosquitoes in shady areas

    As moisture levels tend to evaporate in the presence of the sun, mosquitoes are generally drawn to darker places, which are a definite favourite for female mosquitoes to hide and digest their food.

    You notice more mosquitoes in areas with higher levels of moisture

    From ponds, bird baths, pet bowls to flowerpots and moist garden beds, female mosquitoes are clever at finding places with the perfect conditions to lay their eggs.

    Mosquito bites

    If you’re getting bitten by pesky mosquitoes more than usual, this means that there are female mosquitoes in the area. They may be laying their eggs around your home.

    Mosquitoes in your kitchen

    If you leave food uncovered in your kitchen, especially if it is high in sugar content, such as fruit and lollies, male mosquitoes will find this irresistible. However, you may also find that females will join them if their preferred food source (blood) is unavailable.

    Get reliable mosquito prevention advice today

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    Problems caused by mosquitoes

    While they may be small, these tiny terrors can cause huge problems for you and your family.

    As they move from host to host feeding on blood, mosquitoes are well known for their ability for spreading serious diseases, such as Barmah Forest virus infection, Chikungunya virus, Dengue fever, Elephantiasis, Japanese encephalitis, Malaria, Murray Valley encephalitis, Ross River virus infection, Yellow fever and Zika virus.

    Mosquito bites are notorious for being itchy and red and cause varying degrees of swelling. In some people, they may also trigger allergic reactions and in severe cases, bites can cause anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention.

    Sometimes, you’ll hear them before you see them as their persistent buzzing noises can be distracting and disruptive.

    How to protect your home from mosquitoes

    Although it can be very difficult to manage mosquitoes altogether without professional help, there are still some steps that you can take to make your home less inviting to mosquitoes. Here’s some of our top recommendations:

    Install screens over windows and doors
    Having a mesh or wire screen as a physical barrier is always helpful, but it’s best to avoid leaving doors and windows open if possible.

    Remove breeding sites
    Fill ditches and holes in the ground to prevent water from accumulating as this becomes a potential breeding habitat. Inspect your yard and ensure that there is adequate drainage for pooling water. Consider filling pot plant saucers with sand to absorb excess water.

    Regular property maintenance
    Make sure that the plumbing and water drainage system at your property is working efficiently, with no leaking pipes and blockages.
    Keep your yard clean and tidy, taking care to trim trees and vegetation to limit overgrowth and hiding spots for mosquitoes. Dispose of fallen fruit and vegetables.

    Prevent mosquitoes from following you into your home
    If possible, limit outdoor activity during peak active times, or use mosquito nets to keep them out of your space.

    When you’re heading outdoors, wear insect repellent that contains diethyltoluamide (DEET) or picaridin. You can also use natural alternatives such as eucalyptus or lemon oil, citronella, tea tree oil, but these will need be applied more frequently.
    Wear protective clothing and a hat to limit any potential mosquito contact. Bright coloured clothing is known to be less appealing to mosquitoes than darker shades.
    You can also consider purchasing electronic repellent devices that are available from hardware stores.

    Avoid leaving potential food sources outside
    Where possible, keep food items covered and consider using a water dispenser for pets instead of leaving an open water bowl.

    Turn on the fan
    The moving air current disrupts mosquitoes in flight and disperses carbon dioxide, which attracts them to human hosts.

    Manage mosquitoes fast. Speak to an expert today.

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    Professional mosquito treatment

    The most effective way to control a mosquito outbreak is through chemical control. We use Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) approved products that are designed to target adult mosquitoes as well as their larvae.

    After an assessment of the outbreak and the layout of your property, your Allstate pest control technician will often use a combination of the following treatment methods:

    Larvicides
    For ponds and standing or stagnant water areas which are common breeding sites for larvae, we apply highly targeted larvicides to prevente all mosquito larvae. You can be confident that these chemicals have minimal impact on other aquatic organisms.

    Adulticides
    When there are a large amount of active adult mosquitoes, we’ll need to use a different approach that covers a greater area, that may need to be applied multiple times. This can include:

    • Fogging
      During active times (mainly dawn or dusk), we’ll apply an airborne spray that contains either a natural or synthetic pyrethroid chemical to the entire affected area. These chemicals disrupt the mosquito nervous system and cause paralysis. Fogging is usually effective for 2-3 days.
    • Residual barrier treatments
      We use this for smaller, more targeted areas, aiming to stop adult mosquitoes from entering your home by lingering on surfaces where they may land. We commonly apply this treatment to fences, eaves, walls, vegetation or foliage and it is known to last for up to 6-8 weeks.

    For fast and effective mosquito prevention, choose Allstate

    With sunny days ahead and holiday season approaching, the last thing you need is to worry about pesky mosquitoes spoiling your plans. That’s why at Allstate, we’re here to help you get your home ready for insect-free outdoor and indoor entertaining all party season.

    Family owned and operated since 1986, Allstate offers targeted, modern and innovative pest control services to homes and businesses across all suburbs of Adelaide. We only use mosquito treatments which are non-toxic to pets, children and the environment.

    Our highly trained technicians are available 24/7 for any urgent enquiries to all new and existing residential, commercial and industrial clients.

    Our services are covered by competitive warranties and a 100% satisfaction guarantee and we also offer payment plans. Safeguard your home and enjoy a relaxing summer with Allstate’s long-lasting mosquito protection.

    Our expert team is ready to help you now

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