Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Are cockroaches cleaner than humans?

Cockroaches are the unwanted family members who invade the houses unknowingly. No matter how clean we keep our house, they find the reason to get in and choose the survival option for them. There are many types of myths and facts about cockroaches. Despite that, people find an option like Top Dog Pest Control Gold Coast and similar pest control choices to get rid of them. 

The cockroaches often appear in the dirty places and corners of the house, which we do clean frequently. The sewage systems and pet care are major reasons the house has a special member of the cockroach family. Top Dog Pest Control Gold Coast finds many houses with similar need to eliminate the cockroaches. Many of them get the yearly services for pest control, but still, these guests take place in the house by distinct means.

Myths and facts:

 

    There are several myths about cockroaches that people think about and do not relate to the functional and biological properties. The Top Dog Pest Control Gold Coast also functions to consider these myths and select preventive measures.

    The cockroaches can survive without their head. This is a weird myth, but the relative fact with this is that the cockroaches can survive for around one week. This is because they do not need their head to breathe. They consist of an open circulatory system and breathe by the open holes in their body segments.

    The cockroaches are cleaner than human beings. This is a partial myth because cockroaches' biological functionality continuously clean themselves with their antenna and legs through their mouth. This grooming process helps them to remove the dirt, sticky materials, and foreign fecal food items present on their body surface. Top Dog Pest Control Gold Coast cleans various species of cockroaches. But such grooming cannot remove the bacteria and fungi, which are the prime cause of spreading of the diseases.

    Another famous myth about cockroaches makes the allergies and infections of humans very worse. This is because they carry bacteria and fungus, which act as the allergens for body allergies. According Top Dog Pest Control Gold Coast, this is not a myth but a severe issue that can result to make the infections being in a bad state.

Precautions:

 

     Certain precautionary measures are very essential for avoiding cockroaches and their infections. Here are some of the important measures that should be taken:

     The house's sewage system must be in peak condition, and no leakage possibility must be there. This measure eliminates the 50 percent of cockroaches and their entry sources.

     The food resources must be in manageable condition, and garbage decomposition must be proper.

     We should declutter the household, especially the kitchen and end the scrap materials.

Conclusion:

The cockroaches are part of nature, and they follow the survival techniques for them. To be safe Top Dog Pest Control Gold Coast provides awareness and services by several pest control options. Healthy livelihood is a choice and working for it is necessary in present natural conditions.

 

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Common pests you are sure to find around your home during summer

When the temperature is warmer during the summer months, pest activity gets heightened abruptly. Moreover, it is also when you are spending more time outdoors, thus increasing the chances of meeting more bugs than ever.

There is nothing worse than when you are sleeping and being disturbed by an annoying bug singing in your ear? To keep them out, one needs to carry out regular pest control on the Gold Coast by a trusted company like Top Dog Pest Control. 

Here are some of the pests you may encounter over the summer months. Make sure you know them to be able to stay precautious of them:

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are seen more widespread over summer and springtime. So, make sure you are taking steps to seal them off from their entry points. If you choose an experienced pest control company on the Gold Coast, they will know the target spots. It mainly includes pipes, walls, vents, etc. Also, remember they are more drawn places with water, food waste, stains on countertops, and spills. 

Bees and wasps

Another most common pest you will notice are bees, hornets, and wasps. However, when you see one, you instantly start panicking. And it is obvious, given they are incredibly aggressive. While most bees are submissive even when swarming, they should not be mistaken by a hornet or wasps. They may look similar, but their stings are highly allergenic. So, if you see one, call the professionals for help.

Rats and mice

With the emergence of the summer season, you will start noticing mice and rats trying to enter the house more than ever. They are a warm-weather breeder, and if not controlled, they are capable of multiplying very quickly. So, act fast and call the best pest control Gold Coast company you know. 

They can even help you stay ahead of time and seal every corner and space from where they can break in.

Ticks

These are one of the worst things you can have at home, as pests like these can be nearly impossible to detect. But when you have a top expert like Top Dog Pest Control Gold Coast. It is very easy to pick up ticks while at work or on a hike, not realizing they are inside your bag.

This is why it’s very important to make a habit of checking yourself every time you have been out and before entering homes. Ticks can spread diseases like Lyme, but you can avoid contacting them if you take steps to remove them immediately. 

Mosquitoes

No doubt the peak season for mosquitoes is summer. The humid and warm weather conditions accelerate their life cycle, and they can reproduce more quickly. Moreover, the population even increases more when you have standing water around your property. 

This is because mosquitoes lay their eggs in the standing water, and the warm, humid climate helps breed them. Not to mention mosquitoes in summer become more dangerous as they contain pathogens and spread deadly diseases. So, if you are noticing mosquitoes, don’t be ignorant call pest control professionals. 

Carry out pest control activity on regular intervals because it is undeniable that a pest-free home is a happy and healthy home. Fortunately, Top Dog Pest Control Gold Coast offers a complete treatment option to eliminate indoor and outdoor pests. Get in touch with the professionals to know more. 

Monday, October 25, 2021

The Importance of Pest Control in our daily lives

For various reasons, some of which are unrelated to cleanliness, can attract pests to a home. While some common home invaders are pretty obvious, others have hidden away for generations. Therefore, every homeowner should be concerned about pest control on the Good Coast for many reasons.

Importance of Pest Control in our daily lives

 

Do-it-Yourself is not always enough

Do-it-yourself treatments may seem to work, but in reality, they only scratch the surface. Home remedies and store-bought remedies can most often only treat the visible symptoms. However, the source of an infestation is more often than not hidden. Pest control gold coast professionals must be contacted at the first sign of a home invasion for this very reason. With the expertise and training to handle an infestation at its source, the professionals at Top Dog Pest Control know precisely what to look for and what to do to eradicate it.

 

Pests pose a real threat to human health

In the public health world, various critical variables contribute to our current, healthy, clean standards of living: top-notch vaccines and drugs, greatly improved sanitation, and top-notch pest control on the Gold Coast. Not only are they dirty, but there are also a variety of pests that can transmit terrible diseases, including rodents, ticks, and mosquitoes. Pests may carry diseases that we do not know about, which is why it is important to do pest control on a regular basis at your home.  

 

Property damage and loss of belongings

The reason why most pests find their way into your home in the first place is that they have discovered a source of food. Pests that live in wood, such as termites can cause severe damage to your home. In the process, they cause extensive damage without anyone noticing. Since they hide within the walls, they often do not even see they are there. The organic fibers attract pests, like carpet beetles and silverfish, which love to eat your belongings. Many items can be damaged, including clothing, blankets, and towels. To prevent pest problems that you might not even be aware of, our pest control gold coast professionals at Top Dog Pest Control will survey the area around your home. 

 

 Keeping food safe and healthy

It is essential to control pests both at home and in the workplace, especially in food-related settings. Cockroaches and rats infest food service companies because they eat scraps. The pantry of your house can become infested with pests as odorous house ants. Moreover, many pests, such as aphids, can prevent fruits and vegetables from growing properly in your garden. A large number of these pests potentially carry diseases or are capable of contaminating your food simply by living on it. The simplest way to make sure your food is pest-free is to contact your local pest control gold coast company.

 

The Stress-Free Lifestyle

There is no doubt that a pest-free home is a happy home. However, one of the most frustrating things is when the slightest sign of an unwanted animal appears. Top Dog Pest Control gold coast offer both indoor and outdoor treatments and year-round bi-monthly inspections to stop every type of pest. Contact us, and we will take care of everything else.

 

Thursday, September 16, 2021

A Quick guide to protect your home from unwanted pests

Your home is supposed to be your safe place, where you can go to relax and unwind. It can be a small studio apartment, townhouse or rural property, a home is what you make it. When something as small as ant can put all of that at risk, you really must do everything you can to protect it. You see, pests come in all shapes and sizes, and some more severe than others. However, eliminating the threat is all you can do. The question is, what is the best way to eliminate the threat of pests? Here is a quick guide to protect your home from unwanted pests.

Eliminating Food Sources

Like all living animals, pests need food to survive. The best way to deter pests from setting up and calling your house theirs is to not have any food for them. Simple things like crumbs on the floor, open rubbish bins and any open food containers left laying around. Rats, cockroaches, flies, and ants will all be attracted to food, so the simplest way is to keep your house tidy, clean up any food and have secure rubbish bins.

Proper Drainage

Some pests will only survive with still water around the property. Mosquitoes will lay their larvae on still water, and suddenly you have thousands of mosquitoes flying around your house. If that isn’t enough of an initiative to get drainage fixed, still water will only provide a water source for even larger pests like rats. They thrive in damp areas, and rats can be extremely difficult and expensive to get rid of.  Even if you have drainage, it is important to maintain the drainage and make sure they are sealed and cleaned. By having no still water around, you are giving yourself the best chance to control pests on the Gold Coast.

Sealing your home

The smallest cracks and holes around your home is all pests need to gain access into your house and begin creating a nest. Considering there are several doors and windows that go directly outside, this can be a little difficult to keep on top of. The easiest and best way to take care of sealing your house from pests is to have fly and security screens on all doors and windows. Companies have developed screens that act as security and fly screens in one, meaning you get double the value. This investment works well at pest control on the Gold Coast.

Waste Disposal

This can be seen as a simple one, however is super effective. When disposing of garbage and waste, do so in a timely manner. Do not leave food containers or full garbage bags outside, this will attract all types of pests. Take them directly from your house into the proper large bins that are regularly picked up. This takes away all chances for pests to get a hold of any food.

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Top ways to prevent termites from spreading at your home

Termites can be the whole reason why your house is deemed unsafe. They can cause huge headaches with your home, sometimes resulting in a massive structural renovation. This process can cost huge amounts of money and can take months. To think a small white ant can cause such headaches to our homes is crazy to think, however it is a genuine problem we all can face. Nothing good comes of termites, so it is in our best interest to prevent them from coming anywhere near your home. Whether you have a brand-new house or an older property, termites are not fussy. In fact, 20% of new homes can be attacked within the first five years of being built. To stop this from happening, here are the top ways to prevent termites from spreading to your home or you can call for frequent pest control on Gold Coast.

Reduce moisture around your home

Now there are several different ways to do this, with some being more difficult than others. This said, here are some of the simplest ways to keep moisture away from your property:

Keep ground water away from the house. This is done by having a slope for rainwater, downpipes and gutters functioning and all pipes taking water away from the house.

Another easy step is to avoid over-watering plants or gardens that are close to your home. Whilst outdoors, check that you have no tap leaks or drain leakages.

Termites love moisture, so by having less moisture near your home, it acts as a natural termite barrier on the Gold Coast.

Reduce Termite Food

Termites are like any pest; they will only thrive in places where food is in abundance. Reduce the amount of wood mulch you have next to your home…if you do have it, ensure it is treated properly. If you have any timber or cardboard stored somewhere in or outside the house, try and keep it above ground level if possible. If you have firewood stored, try keep it the furthest distance from the house and above ground level. If you have a subfloor, do not keep timber under there. This is an invitation for termites to start exploring your house and eventually damaging the structure.

Peace of Mind

Now if you are concerned you may already have termites or just want peace of mind, booking a termite inspection on the Gold Coast is a great way to do so. Our experts will provide in-depth reporting and analysis of your property, giving you great advice on ways you can improve your property to serve as a termite barrier. If you do have termites, there are several different strategies to reduce their destruction and eventually eliminate them.

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Top tips to get your home ready for autumn

When we think of pests running around our homes, it is hardly a thought that brings a smile to your face. In fact, it is enough to make the average person cringe or to simply scream in terror. However, whether we like it or not, pests are simply other living creatures. They do not want to inhabit your home, office or building for fun, they are usually there for a reason. Whether it be food, shelter, warmth or water, pests will find their way into wherever they need to be. Now, what you and what I can consider a pest can be massively different. This can be attributed to many things, including our upbringing, where we live, our careers and our living habits. The most common pests are cockroaches, rats and mice. However, there are dozens more, including ants, termites, flies, wasps, pigeons, spiders, mosquitoes and ticks. All of these creatures can be painful to put up with, so let's talk about ways that we can ensure that our homes and workplaces are ready for the seasons ahead.

Firstly, this tip is for home buyers and sellers. Do not skip out on high a quality, professional building and pest inspection on Gold Coast. Ensuring you get a thorough inspection can save you thousands down the line and can point out some faults and problems that you otherwise would have never known about.

In Australia, depending on where you live, our seasons are not as drastic as in other parts of the world. The fact is, a lot of these hardy animals will happily invade your home twelve months of the year. However, heading into the autumn months is where these pests will do their best to find their way into your home.

Limit their access. Have screens on all of your doors and windows, this will make it that little bit harder for them to get inside your house. Also, try to ensure that roof spaces and garages are kept well ventilated and dry. Pests are like any animal and require water, so they will naturally set up camp in these areas. Also, they are mostly nocturnal, so having as much light as you can is beneficial.

The next one is simple. Clean up after yourself! Do not leave dirty dishes, food or drinks lying around. Also, ensure your cupboards are kept secured and all food stashed away in containers. Giving pests no food source is the best way to keep them out of your home. If you have pets, do your best to keep their food locked away in airtight containers.

Last, check for any leaking pipes and regularly clean your house.

Whether you are moving house, or are simply wanting some reassurance, contacting the team at Top Dog Pest Control for a professional building and pest inspection. Having that peace of mind is invaluable.

 

Monday, June 28, 2021

Top Signs which show your home is having termite damage

If you live on The Gold Coast at some stage, you would have had to deal with Termites. The climate is perfect for these little critters to thrive and with plenty of water and wood around they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. In order to stay ahead of the game its best to know what termite damage can look like before you find your home falling down around you. If you get to them early Termites can be eradicated and measures, put in place to keep them away from your property. The team at Top Dog Pest Control are experts in all things termite and can provide you with reliable termite protection on Gold Coast. Here are four things to be on the lookout for around your home that would spell Termite trouble.

Floor or ceiling damage

Termites are tiny and cunning. They feed on anything you don't want them to eat around your house, like wood! Termites can do a lot of damage without being detected early enough so it's important that if your floor or ceiling has blisters or cracks in the surface, you need to get a termite inspection done as soon as possible because they might be termite-inflicted damages! You should also listen for hollow sounds when knocking around your house - this is another sign of termite infestation.

Damage to your walls

Termite damage to wall cans often resemble minor water damage but is quite a serious and complicated issue to fix. This can make it difficult for homeowners like you who are unaware of the termite-related degradation taking place on your property. When this happens, moisture may be getting in through cracks in paint or plaster that have been caused by termites eating away at timber internal walls and weakened them structurally – Top Dog Pest Control can help you with all your termite protection on The Gold Coast.

Mud Tubes

Termites are no joke. These subterranean insects require special shelter for protection once they emerge from the ground, which is often in the form of mud-works tubes made out of dirt or termite droppings. Although the mud tubes may be difficult to find they are sure fire evidence that termites are planning an invasion. Once you find these termite highways it’s best to call your termite protection experts on The Gold Coast – Top Dog

Power is cutting out

Termites are often attracted to the warmth of electrical fittings behind walls- so if you notice that your power is cutting out as a regular occurrence at your place, these critters may be the reason. A good way to confirm this is by inspecting your electrical fittings and power points. If you spot a build-up of earthy materials such as damp mud or soil, it's best to contact the team at Top Dog Pest Control team for help in cleaning up and fixing any problems they find before termite infestation gets worse!

With these four things to look for you can help to keep your home termite free, but you must be vigilant. Annual pest inspections should always be undertaken to ensure that there isn’t something hiding from you, chewing away at your greatest asset. Speak to the team at Top Dog for all your termite protection on The Gold Coast.

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

How a pre purchase building and pest inspection helps in getting the best value out of a property?

When purchasing a house one of the first things that you should organize is a pre purchase building and pest inspection. But why? Obviously a pre purchase inspection is going to bring to your attention any issues the property may have and whether it’s a smart decision to purchase the property. But how can you use the inspection to work for you from a negotiation perspective to ensure that you are getting the best deal.

Termites

When Top Dog Pest Control perform a pre purchase building and pest inspection on The Gold Coast the number one thing they are looking for is Termite damage. The Gold Coast is notorious for these little home wreckers and one in every three houses on The Gold Coast either have or have had termites. Evidence of past or present termite activity can kill a property contract in the blink of an eye but with the right advice it could also prove to be huge bargaining chip for the buyer. The team at Top Dog will be able to advise you an whether the problem is major or if it’s a problem that can be managed or rectified easily. Sometimes a little termite problem can mean heavy discounts on the asking price,

Structural Damage

As with Termites, knowing what to look for from a structural perspective could be the difference between buying a lemon or a good fixer upper at a great price. A pre purchase building and pest inspection undertaken by Top Dog Pest Control on the Gold Coast will find anything major or minor structural damage to the property and with this knowledge it could save the purchaser thousands of dollars off the asking price.

Water Damage

Knowing what to look for when looking for water damage is a key skill for pre purchase inspections on Gold Coast. Many areas on The Gold Coast are prone to flooding, many areas don’t even need a lot of water to flood. Seeing past and present water damage in your inspection will be a sure-fire way to having the price drop.

Legal Bedrooms

This here is particularly important! – The more bedrooms a house has the more that house is worth, it’s an easy formula. Because of that it can be easy for owners to try and convert areas in their house into “bedrooms”. It’s important that these rooms meet the codes of being considered a bedroom with ceiling heights, size and windows being a few things taken into consideration when determining if a room is a legal bedroom or not. Obviously if a room is not considered to be a legal bedroom it would take the number of bedrooms offered on the plans down, thus seeing the price of the property drop.

Knowledge is King

This is never more evident than when buying a property. This is more than likely going to be your biggest asset so get all the advice you can. Knowledge is King! Be smarter than the people you are dealing with and you will come out on top.

From a seller’s perspective

You can get on the front foot and get your own pre purchase building and pest inspection. This way you are in a position of power! If there is nothing wrong with your house then you are in the best position to negotiate the best price, on the flip side if there are some issues you know in advance and can plan your strategy.

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Top 5 tips for choosing a pest control company

Many household pests can be controlled by ensuring your home and surrounds are clean and tidy, removing and incentive for pests to invade as they require food, moisture and shelter, but some will arrive and invade your property regardless of what you do. Having a good termite barrier on Gold Coast and regular follow up inspections will not only ensure your home is termite free, but the inspections are so through they will identify any other pests that are present.

Choosing the best pest control company is not always straight forward so these top five tips will help in making the right choice:

1.     Reputation and web presents

It goes without saying that most of us want both quality and good value, so care needs to be taken and it pays to do your homework when selecting a pest control company. A simple Google search will give a list of companies in your area of the Gold Coast

If they don’t have a good web presence, it’s unlikely they are very professional or competent.  You can check their online reviews and customer reports and references

2.    Quality and value

Competition is fierce and there will not be a large variation in prices, but be weary of companies who offer a bargain deal or a package such as garden or tree clearing. Pest control is a specialised industry and the technicians who eradicated pests are highly qualified and experienced, so only concentrate on pest control

3.    Do they offer free estimates

The top pest control and termite treatment companies on The Gold Coast will offer a free estimate so get several estimates to gauge the right price

4.    Ask relevant questions

·       Find out how many years they have been in your area

·       Ask about the qualifications of the person doing the inspection, removing any pests or applying any chemicals. Are they certified, registered and or licenced

·       Ask about the type and toxicity of any chemical being used

·       Do they offer a warranty or guarantee and if so for how long

·       Are they covered by the relevant insurances and can you see an insurance certification?

·       Are they able to provide a list of contactable references?

A reputable and reliable pest control companies will easily be able to show you their credentials as well as relevant information about the methods and chemicals they use as well as any precautions they or you need to take

5.    Ask Around

Talk with friends, neighbors and others who live in your area, including local building and supply companies or real estate agents, you will quickly find out if a company has a good reputation or should be avoided.

Finding a good pest control company and one that is able to provide a good termite treatment on Gold Coast is a matter of taking time to check different local companies and their reputation through friends, local residents, online reviews and local searches.


Friday, February 12, 2021

Things to look at before purchasing properties in Gold Coast

When you considering purchasing properties, you need to think about having a pre-purchase pest inspection on Gold Coast properties you look at.

It’s not only about paying the price you can negotiate; there are many considerations you need to look at including:

Who will buy the property?

Sometimes, people purchase properties in their own name, but is this the best option? Maybe it’s better to place it in your company’s name or a trust.

It’s worthwhile considering the advantages and consequences of each option considering the cost of inheritance taxes and death duties.

Is the property on the water?

With many sea or riverside side properties there can be responsibilities that can include such things as managing sea walls, jetties and complying with local body by-laws so you must make sure you know all the relevant issues.

The property subject to GST

You must be aware of the GST content and who is going to pay it as well as who is entitled to any rebate. The law states that it’s the buyer’s responsibility to pay the GST directly to the ATO. But the seller must provide their ABN and disclose if there are any withholding obligations.

Pests

Having a proper pre-purchase pest inspection on all Gold Coast properties is very necessary as destructive pests such as termites can quickly destroy your home or investment. Having the property pass a professional pest inspection as a purchasing condition is a vital precaution that lets you know the exact condition of the property.

Do you need to include any special conditions?

Maybe you will need the contract to include special conditions such as:

·       Subject to finance

·       Subject to the sale of a current property

·       Subject to local bylaws and town planning issues

·       Subject to building and pest inspections

·       Subject to a body corporate search, flood search, etc

·       Sunset clause or subject to receiving a better offer

There can be a number of other conditions you may want to consider adding to the contract depending on your needs.

Is there a pool

Many properties have pools and these are subject to local by-laws and safety inspections. The seller is required to provide a safety certificate associated with achieving compliance or you could face the cost of compliance and certification.

Is the property tenanted?

You need to establish what the current tenancy agreement is and how much notice to vacate the property you need to give those tenants to comply with the relevant tenancy laws.

Is the sale price more than 4750,000

For houses that sell for more than 4750,000, you are at the present time required to obtain a Foreign Resident, Capital gains withholding tax clearance. This must be done before the settlement or if the seller is a foreigner you are required to retain 12.5 per cent of the total purchase price for the ATO

When looking to buy, have a pre-purchase pest inspection on any Gold Coast property that you’re considering making an offer on and make sure all the paper work is clear and you understand all the provisions before you sign anything.

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Why termite treatment is important in residences of The Gold Coast

Residences in all areas of The Gold Coast require a termite treatment on a regular basis. Having your property inspected for termites is a much better option than waiting until your home is infected with these extremely destructive pests.

The CSIRO now recommends that you have an annual termite inspection and instigate a complete termite treatment on Gold Coast residence if any live termites are detected.

Damage control

Of the 300 types of termite living around Australia the most destructive are the subterranean variety which live underground in colonies that can reach several million active little chewers who enter your home undetected and eat the timbers from the inside.

Subterranean termites are extremely common on The Gold Coast, especially in areas where there are or were trees. These termites live on old stumps or root systems then travel 50 meters or more to locate new colonies.

All new homes must have an approved mechanical barrier installed, but termites will find any gaps and move over, under or around these in their quest for food.

 

Often replacing damaged timber is not the major expense when your home is infected with termites, the cost comes in having to do major renovations after removing the damaged timbers.

 

Reduced Values

If you’re selling your property a termite infestation will reduce its sale value by an average of 20 percent. Having a proper certified and professional termite treatment on your Gold Coast property, one that you can show any potential buyer will make selling at the best possible price much easier.

 

How termites affect Gold Coast properties

Even new homes need to be inspected to identify any possible breaches in the physical termite barriers. Without a termite inspection, you are placing your home worth hundreds of thousands of dollars at risk.

 

·       Slab Homes

Although your home is constructed on a slab of concrete, termites can live undetected directly under the building. They will then try and gain entry through and cracks or areas such as utility entry points and small gaps around drains and vents

 

·       Pole Homes

It’s vital that pole homes are properly inspected and treated as termites will try to travel inside timber poles to enter your home undetected

 

·       Older Homes

Homes that are over ten years old need to be inspected and have a recognized termite treatment. Most older homes have an established garden and outside area that needs to be inspected and treated as these areas often hide termites that will eventually move into your home if control methods are not used to prevent them.

 

If you find any evidence of termites in your home or around your property you should not disturb them as they will then move to another area on your property.

Contact your local pest control specialists for a long term termite treatment designed for Gold Coast properties. This will ensure all termites are destroyed and your residence is completely protected from termite damage