Signs you have a pest problem
Some people consider one cockroach scurrying across the kitchen floor as nothing to be alarmed about, while others balk at it, writes Melissa Gerke.
Everyone has their own tolerance when it comes to insects and pests in the home. Some people consider one cockroach scurrying across the kitchen floor as nothing to be alarmed about, while others balk at it.
Pest controllers are busiest at this time of year when bees are swarming and fleas are biting. But, the usual suspects are always ants, cockroaches and rodents.
If a rodent is seen in the middle of the day or scratching noises are heard in the wall cavity, a pest controller needs to be called. This is a sign that there is more than one, and setting a mouse trap is not going to fix the bigger problem. Another sign is bite marks in food.
Dale Bahr, of Reliance Pest Control, says: ‘‘They’ll wake in the morning and half a banana is gone because they [rats] have started living behind the fridge.’’ Rats can also create nests under the house, in the roof and even in the couch.
Cockroaches also love the warmer environment under the fridge. If one small german cockroach is seen, call the pest controller straight away. ‘‘When [a homeowner sees] a german cockroach running around, they are probably only seeing about 1 per cent of the cockroaches that are actually there,’’ says Stephan Ware, of the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association.
The german cockroach can spread bacterial diseases, and, like any insect, leave moults and faeces where it lives. Ware suggests premises should be checked if there are signs of german cockroaches.
Ants are another common problem, especially when they develop a permanent trail leading from the outside, through, say, a gap in the windowsill, to the pantry. They are difficult to get rid of at this stage, and a pest controller needs to be called. Ants get into cereals if they aren’t sealed, causing the disposal of a lot of food.
Pest control and hygiene go hand in hand. Removing food sources such as crumbs, pet food, dirty dishes and rubbish will make the house less inviting to pests. This should be combined with a regular pest inspection and treatment when