By Julian Bracewell
As the mercury rises, so does the number of pests that take up residency in our homes, making an Aussie summer synonymous with an increase in pests. Traditionally (every year prior to 2020-2021) requests from homeowners for pest control experts and pest inspections surge in October and November, a trend observed nationally.
However, the latest hipages Home Improvement Report suggests that there has been a shift in this pattern with pest control experiencing its highest in-demand months in January, February and March this year, compared to any other time throughout 1 December 2020-to-30 November 2021.
One of the reasons for this is La Niña, which has caused temperatures to be below average for the start of summer meaning the pest boom we typically see in the summer months is starting now in January, rather than in November/December. A flurry of pest control activity is expected across the states.
Pest expert Julian Bracewell, director of Pest2Kill, shares his tips for how to successfully reduce pest infestations in your home this summer and what to do if you find these unwanted guests in your home:
- Be proactive: Early detection of pests makes them much easier to get rid of – no matter what type of pest it may be. If you see one ant or one cockroach, for example, it’s likely there are many more that you can’t see, hiding in cracks and crevices around your home. As soon as you spot a pest, contact your local pest control expert, who can help with the removal process. The longer you leave it, the worse the infestation will get and the more difficult (and expensive) the removal job will be.
- Keep your home clean: Home hygiene is the best way to deter most pets from your home. Simple things like not leaving dirty dishes in the sink, wiping down benches, keeping your floors clean, and the like, can make a big difference when it comes to pests. Hygiene is the best and most obvious form of defence for your home.
- Remove stagnant water: Bodies of stagnant water are the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. This could be a puddle that has built up in your garden beds or pot plants, water that has gathered in a blocked drain, or even water collected in a glass left outside. Either way, with so much rain anticipated for the coming weeks, it’s important to be clearing any excess water from around your home to avoid mosquitoes breeding near you.
- Know when to call in the experts: There are times when you simply need to call in the experts. Pest control professionals like myself are trained and skilled in the correct ways to remove pests from your home.
-Julian Bracewell is director of Pest2Kill, who are listed on hipages.
