Name: Allstate Pest Control
Address: 686 South Road, Glandore, South Australia, 5037, Australia
Telephone: 8371 1277
Rating: 4.9

How to keep Pests away in Summer

December 12, 2024

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December 12, 2024

How to keep Pests away in Summer

With many of us getting excited about the upcoming summer holidays, the last thing on anybody’s mind would be dealing with a pest outbreak. Unfortunately, being the peak season for many pests, summer pest outbreaks are relatively common. Keep your home safe from unwelcome pests by reading this Hivemind blog.

What questions will this article answer?

Why are there more pests in summer?

Just as your garden comes alive in warm weather, so do household pests! Summer provides ideal conditions for the survival of many pests, including ants, mosquitoes, flies, fleas, cockroaches and venomous spiders. You’ll notice that many of these creepy crawlies emerge from hibernating to breed and forage for food.

Ants

Emerging from their hibernation period in winter, ants will once again be seen foraging for food along ant trails from their nests and it doesn’t take long for an army of ants to appear.

From your garden to the rubbish bin to your kitchen, ants will march almost anywhere for their next meal, contaminating your food and surfaces, and spreading germs and diseases as they go. If you happen to step in their path, you may even experience the sharp pain of an ant bite, which can cause swelling if you’re allergic. These bites can be particularly unpleasant if you happen to encounter a fire ant.

Thankfully, there’s several ways to reduce the risk of an ant infestation. We recommend:

Storing food away in tightly sealed containers and avoid leaving pet food out
Cleaning your kitchen regularly, wiping surfaces and removing food spills immediately
Keeping rubbish bins and compost properly covered
Maintaining your yard by disposing of fallen fruit, keeping the lawn tidy and removing piles of vegetation
Inspecting your home for all possible entry points and sealing them off
Applying insecticide sprays and positioning bait stations

If you’re still struggling to combat an ant invasion at home, you don’t need to worry. Allstate has a range of proven treatments for all types of ants. This includes control dust, insecticide as well as chemical baits.

Get fast treatment for crawling insects. Speak to Allstate today.

or

8371 1277

Mosquitoes

With summer being their peak season, hungry mosquitoes are often heard buzzing around looking for suitable hosts to feed off. Famous for their irritating, itchy bites, which can trigger allergies, mosquitoes move from host to host drawing blood and potentially spreading nasty diseases such as Dengue fever, Ross River virus, Yellow fever and Barmah Forest virus.

That’s why we encourage preventing skin contact with mosquitoes by wearing long sleeved clothing and applying insect repellent.

Although they’re tiny, it’s possible to stop mosquitoes from flying inside your home by:

Installing mesh screens over your windows and doors
Removing sources of moisture, including pet water bowls, ponds, bird baths, leaking taps and drains, and making sure that plant pots have adequate drainage

If they’re becoming a major nuisance, Allstate offers a range of professional treatments that target all stages of the mosquito life cycle, as well as fogging sprays and residual barrier sprays for ongoing protection.

Flies

It certainly wouldn’t be a normal Aussie summer without a few flies hovering around your barbecue, but you certainly don’t want them all over the place, either. They can be noisy and distracting, all while spreading germs and diseases from their unhygienic foraging habits. Once they’ve established a breeding site and laid their eggs, you may even find yourself dealing with crawling maggots!

If all this sounds stressful to you, rest assured thatplenty of ways to stop a fly outbreak from happening. Here’s how:

Install fly screens over doors and windows around your home, paying special attention to kitchen, dining and waste storage areas
Practice proper food storage to avoid attracting flies
Keep kitchen and dining areas clean by regularly wiping and disinfecting surfaces, including floors, and clearing food spills, crumbs and grease
Wash used dishes and cutlery immediately
Turn on fans
Apply insecticide spray where it is safe to do so

However, if your fly problem is simply overwhelming, you may need professional fly management. Allstate uses aerosol sprays, fogging and dusting powder to keep flies away for good.

Fleas

While we’re busy keeping pests away from our homes, let’s not forget our furry friends! With more active fleas around in the warmer months, our pets can be silently suffering without us having a clue.

Red-brown coloured and around 2mm long, fleas can sometimes be hard to spot, but it’s important to check our pets’ fur for signs of flea infections, look out for flea eggs and droppings, and be aware of changes in pet behaviour.

You can keep your home and pets flea-free by taking the following steps:

Managing other pests which can introduce fleas to your home, such as rodents and pest birds
Conducting regular yard maintenance to reduce flea hiding and breeding spots, such as lawns and piles of vegetation
Regular cleaning, especially in areas are frequented by your pets, including rugs and furniture
Wash pet bedding using hot water
Grooming and washing your pets
Fitting your pet with a flea collar
Taking your pet to your local trusted vet

For all persisting flea issues, Allstate can assist with flea control dust and insecticide treatments.

Avoid getting bitten by a flying insect problem. Get fast advice today.

or

8371 1277

Cockroaches

With the ability to survive all year round in all types of living conditions, cockroaches breed in the spring and you’re most likely to spot them at night. Famous for spreading illnesses and diseases such as gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, cholera and dysentery, you’ll definitely want to avoid the mess of an outbreak if possible.

With an appetite for a wide variety of food in your pantry as well as rubbish bin, it’s best to keep cockroaches as far away from your home as possible. Here’s how:

Practicing good hygiene including handwashing
Ensure that food is tightly covered and stored away
Clean your kitchen, food preparation and dining areas regularly using disinfecting products
Wipe up food spills and crumbs immediately
Keep your cupboards and shelves, oven and dishwasher clean
Inspect your home for potential entry points inside and seal them over with filler, silicone or expanding foam. Seal off vents if possible
Check for leaking drains and pipes and fix them as soon as possible

Still struggling with a cockroach problem? Allstate can help. We use a range of innovative control measures including fumigation, cockroach baiting and heat treatments.

Venomous spiders

Although most spiders in Australia are harmless, the notorious venomous redback and certain species of funnel web spiders are known to strike fear in many. This is because their bites contain toxic venom which requires immediate medical attention.

The good news is, redbacks and funnel webs are not aggressive unless they are disturbed. Here’s how to identify them:

Redback spiders are 1.5mm long and black coloured with a distinct red stripe on their upper abdomen. They create messy and irregular, but strong and sticky cobwebs
Funnel web spiders are 1-5cm long, glossy-looking, black-brown in colour and covered with fine hairs. They build non sticky, funnel shaped webs burrows to live in, and hunt for their prey. You’ll most likely find them under rocks, or inside logs.

You can prevent spiders from visiting your home by taking the following steps:

Identifying and covering all entry points, including vents and cover gaps underneath doors using draught excluders
Remove clutter from your home so there are less hiding spots
Reduce the number of insects around your home, which will attract spiders

If you’re concerned about having venomous spiders, we don’t recommend approaching them yourself. At Allstate, our technicians are professionally trained to handle all types of spiders. We offer effective spider treatments such as spider control dust and insecticide sprays to protect you and your family from venomous spiders.

Choose Allstate for reliable and effective summer pest control

The summer holidays are a great time to enjoy time with friends and family, rather than dealing with annoying pest outbreaks.

Locally operated since 1986, Allstate has provided high quality pest control services to homes and businesses in all suburbs of Adelaide. Available 24/7, offer long-lasting pest management solutions to clients in residential, commercial and industrial settings, using a range of safe, modern and innovative treatments.

With access to payment plans and competitive warranties covering all of our services, you can stay pest-free all year round by reaching out to Allstate today.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

or

8371 1277

Why Pet-Friendly Pest Control Matters

Pets don’t think twice about sniffing around the skirting boards, licking a spill, or rolling on the carpet. If that surface has been sprayed with the wrong product, the end result may leave even your vet helpless.

Accidental poisoning in pets is a common household emergency. Dogs and cats are especially sensitive to insecticides. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, drooling, or worse.

And it’s not just about pets. If you’ve got toddlers crawling around, they’re exposed to the same risks. That’s why pest control that’s safe for pets and kids is the best choice.

Common Pet-Friendly Pest Control Methods That Work and Don’t

Online DIY forums are full of advice on pet-friendly pest control methods that work and help you keep the pest control service away. But let’s see how they test.

Natural Solutions

Many people try natural remedies first. Essential oils, diatomaceous earth, and even planting herbs like basil and rosemary around the yard. These options are eco-friendly pest control methods.

Some also swear by planting herbs around the fence line. Yes, they smell nice and look nice.
But mozzies and cockroaches don’t really care.

One bloke in Adelaide tried peppermint oil sprays. His dog sneezed nonstop. He later discovered that peppermint can be harmful to dogs.

Sure, they can help with mild pest problems, but they’re not reliable.

Science backs it, too. A 2005 study in Phytotherapy Research tested 38 oils. None protected against mosquito bites for more than 2 hours. Citronella oils, which lots of people rely on, need re-application every 20–60 minutes to stay effective.

Eco hacks might be fine for a backyard BBQ, but not for a full-blown cockroach infestation in the kitchen.

Pet-Friendly Pest Control Sprays

The better option is low-toxicity sprays used by professionals. These are proper pet-friendly pest control sprays, not off-the-shelf supermarket products. They’re regulated, tested, and applied with care.

We don’t soak your whole house. We treat cracks, skirting boards, and entry points. That way, pests are dealt with, and pets aren’t exposed to wet chemicals.

Want to know how these treatments work? Check our General Pest Treatment Guide for a full breakdown, or call a pest control professional and ask your questions.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Then there’s IPM, Integrated Pest Management. It’s not just about treatment; it’s about prevention.

Here’s how it works:

An IPM professional comes to inspect and monitor pest activity.
Seals off entry points around the house.
Removes food and water sources.
Uses bait stations or rodent traps that are tamper-proof.
Applies treatment only where and when it’s needed.

The result is highly effective pest control with minimal chemicals and long-term safety for pets and families.

Preparing Your Home for Safe Pest Control

Even with pet-safe products, you’ll want to prep your house before a visit. Think of it as helping us to do a better job.

Here’s what to do:

Pick up all pet bowls, toys, and bedding.
Cover aquariums or bird cages.
Keep dogs and cats outside until treated areas are dry.
Open windows or doors to air out rooms after sprays.

If we’re doing rodent work, we’ll place bait stations or rodent traps where pets can’t reach them. You can see more in our steps for preparing for rodent treatment.

Long-Term Pest Prevention That’s Pet Safe

Safe pest control isn’t a one-off. Pests can come back if the conditions are right. Long-term prevention is key.

Here’s what you can do around the house:

Seal gaps under doors with draft stoppers.
Fit mesh screens on windows to keep insects out.
Store food in airtight containers.
Keep bins sealed and away from the house.
Clear clutter in sheds and yards where rodents love to hide.

And here’s what we do as part of our home pest maintenance services:

Regular low-toxicity treatments.
Monitoring of high-risk areas.
Pet-safe traps and bait stations.
Tailored advice for your property.

Real Homeowners Choosing Pet Safe Options

A lot of Aussies are testing out “pet-friendly” pest control ideas on their own. Some work for a little while. Some don’t. And some can cause more trouble than expected.

Take one Adelaide dog owner. They sprayed peppermint oil around the skirting boards, thinking it would keep spiders out. Within minutes, their dog was sneezing and rubbing against the carpet. A vet later explained that peppermint can be toxic for dogs if it’s inhaled or licked. What seemed like a harmless natural fix turned out to be a risk.

pet friendly pest control feedback

Another family with two cats tried essential oils for mozzies after reading about it online. The smell was strong, but the mozzies were back the same night.

Then there was a Reddit thread where one user said they wouldn’t risk their pets’ health “to save $100 a year” on a pest control service. They said, “They’re professionals. The cost to buy the stuff and figure out proper amounts is hardly worth the effort.” They pointed out how easy it is to get the wrong mix or dosage when you’re guessing with DIY solutions.

pet friendly pest control review

These stories are reminders and warnings that not every “natural” or DIY idea is as safe or effective as it seems. If you’re trying something at home, always check whether it’s safe for pets first. And know that some methods may not last long enough to fix a real infestation.

Keep Pests Out and Your Pets Safe.

Pet-friendly pest control is about doing things smarter and not harsher. You don’t have to choose between protecting your home and keeping your pets safe. With low-toxicity sprays, IPM, and long-term prevention advice from your pest control professional, you can enjoy a pest-free home without risking your furry mates.

DIY fixes might look appealing, but they’re often unsafe or ineffective. Professional support from a licensed pest control company is the safer option for your family, pets, and property.

At Allstate Pest Control, we’ve built our reputation as South Australia’s most trusted pest control company by protecting what matters. Call 08 8371 1277 today or book a pet-friendly pest control service online in Adelaide. Keep pests out, and keep your pets safe.