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.

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.

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

 

What are the best ways to get rid of Pests?

Having pests in the home is distressing, annoying and sometimes, requires you to go to great measures such as having a Gold Coast termite barrier installed around your home. It’s always best to use preventive measures rather than trying to remove pests after they have established themselves, but some types of pests are more persistent than others.

When you have pests, the best way to get rid of them is to remove their food and water sources as well as any place they can hide or seek cover.

Follow these tips to have a pest free home:

·       Store food properly

Some of the pests that could be attracted to your home are rodents,they have a very good sense of smell and can quickly find any suitable food that is not placed in a sealed container

Other pests such as cockroaches and ants are on a constant food search so will crawl everywhere looking for food that’s not stored properly.Food items such as spices,sugar, nuts, grains, cereals, biscuits and cakes should be kept in resealable containers.

Any food old or out of date food or spills should be cleaned away as soon as possible so there is nothing in your pantry or kitchen to attract pests

·       Termites

On The Gold Coast, termite barriers are the pest way to prevent most types of termites from entering your home. If they are already there bait stations that attract is a very good way to control them. These types of pests are very destructive and require a qualified and experienced technician to remove them from your home

·       Cockroaches

Cockroaches, silverfish, beetles, spiders and other insects can enter our home via the wrappings or boxes, food comes in, so it’s, often a good, carefully inspect these items before you take them inside

·       Plant cover outside

And vegetation that touches your home or its foundations makes an excellent path or bridge to your home for pests. Keeping your garden and outside areas well trimmed and tidy reduces the places pest can hide outside and minimizes the easy entrance ways to your home

·       Stop Leaks

Ensuring there are no leaks in any of your plumbing fittings, to deprive any pest of the water supply they require to survive

Other things to do to make pests less welcome in your home:

·       Make sure all doors and windows are well sealed and there are insect screens on any openings

·       Check for gaps in the exterior and interior wall, floors, ceiling’s and around any utility pipes. Loose roof shingles or iron, flashings, air con vents, cracks in cement or brickwork

·       Dispose of trans correctly and keep it in airtight containers away from buildings

·       Rinse out any recyclables before placing in the bin

·       Use light bulbs that don’t attract insects

·       Keep your home tidy and clean

 

Having a termite barrier installed in your Gold Coast property is a great way to stop pests such as termites.

How to control pests in your home?

The Gold Coast is home to many pests and like the humans who share the environment with them, they prefer a place that provides their basic needs such as water, food and shelter from or predators and the elements. The best way to control pests in your home is to have frequent termite and other pest inspections on your Gold Coast property. You also need to keep your environment clean and tidy so you don’t leave any food around or provide shelter to attract pests.

Follow these steps to help keep your home pest free:

·        Water

Ensure that all your plumbing is in good repair with no leaks, this will not only deprive any pests of a ready supply of moisture, which is critical for their survival, but will help reduce your water usage and utility bills.

Run off and waste water should be directed as far from your home as possible and make sure that excess water does not lie in drains or waste water pipes

Bushes and trees

Having an attractive garden close to your home can look very nice and most pests really appreciate you providing this lush pathway to your home. It makes it so much easier for them to move in undetected.

By ensuring all bushes and branches are not allowed to overhang your roof and are kept away from your buildings, many insects and rodents will find it harder to move in.

Mulch should be kept away from the exterior of your home along with wood piles and compost heaps. By keeping leaves raked and lawns mowed you reduce the amount of cover for a variety of household pests

Keeping buildings in good repair

If there are any cracks, splits or holes in your building exterior, many common pests will work their way in, they are masters at getting in and making a home in small spaces. Once in, they will breed and soon you will have a colony or nest of unwanted visitors.

·        Plug up any holes around utility lines and water pipes with a hard filler such as stainless steel wool, mortar or a snug fitting steel plate over the gap. If you use silicone or plastic fillers, they can be eaten or scratched away very quickly and a host of unwanted small guests will have an easy entry point

·        Gaps around windows and doors are especially good entrance points for pests as are holes on insect screens and air vents

Termite inspections

Termites are very hard to detect until you have a full infestation by which time a lot of expensive to repair damage can have already occurred. Having a full termite inspection on your property every few years will help eliminate this problem and your termite inspection on GoldCoast is so through it will also detect any other pests that need to be controlled or dealt with at the same time.

Pest are in the world to balance nature and are part of the large circle of life. They have their place, but hopefully they will be encouraged to find it elsewhere. You can discourage them by ensuring your home and surrounds are kept clean, tidy and don’t provide pest with food, water and shelter. Regular termite checks on The Gold Coast will reveal whether you have any existing pest issues.

Why is it necessary to have pest inspections on The Gold Coast?

When you own a property it’s a wise move to take every precaution possible to protect it and preserve its value. Having a pest inspection on The Gold Coast from a reputable and highly experienced pest control company is one of the first steps you should take whether you’re buying a property or have owned it for a while. Pests like termites and other destructive animals are very common around The Gold Coast and responsible for millions of dollars worth of damage annually. Not only does the damage caused by pests often lead to financial hardship for the repairs they can cause disruption to your home while these repairs are carried out and they can also bring a variety of diseases into your environment.

Having a regular pest inspection on Gold Coast is important because:

·        It’s The Most Cost-Effective Measure You Can Take to Safeguard your Property

Many people seem to be under the impression that building and pest inspections are just an extra expense they have to endure and it’s ok to skip them as they know their own property. But they are very affordable and give home owners and property investors peace of mind, reducing some of the stress associated with owning a property

Often pests, especially things like termites and other threats such as fungi and mould are undetectable by the average person until they become a problem. At this stage, they have usually caused considerable damage or raised health issues with those living there. A regular pest inspection on The Gold Coast is a very cost effective preventative measure, whether in the home, a business or investment property

·        Increased resale value

Having regular pest inspections on your Gold Coast property shows prospective buyers that you have a history of maintaining your home and assures them the property is not only pest free, but has also, not had pest damage in the past or any damage that may have been, has been properly rectified

·        Provides a Clear View of The Properties Condition

Often an unscrupulous property owner will do some cosmetic repairs to try and improve its appearance and hide the fact it has structural or pest damage. With a pest inspection, you will have a much clearer perception of the true condition of a property. In the event there is obvious damage a detailed pest and building inspection can show the true extent of the problem which can be to the advantage of both the seller because they can show the damage is only superficial or to the buyer who can be sure just what they are purchasing.

 

Having a pest inspection on a property on The Gold Coast is a sensible and extremely cost-effective precaution to take as this part of Queensland is a high risk area for pests. Without a pest inspection many pests will go undetected until their presence becomes a problem because of the damage they cause and the associated cost of repairs as well as possible health issues to members of your family. It’s also a very good selling point as you can show that your property is pest free and has been properly protected. Many people are not aware that their insurance policy specifically excludes pest damage unless they have it included in the contract

 

Top ways to protect carport timber from termite attack

When you have a nice timber carport to protect your car, motorbike, boat, caravan or other big boy toys, the last thing you need is for it to be eaten by termites. Using a properly installed termite barrier on your Gold Coast carport is the best way to ensure these hungry critters are not able to destroy your building.

Some of the top ways to protect your carport are:

·        Remove any food source

Termites are attracted to your timber carport because it’s an attractive food source for them, so you have to take steps to make it less inviting.

If you have subterranean termites, they will have a colony in the soil around and below your carport. Using high-quality termite resistant hardwood or cement foundations will prevent the termites from entering from there, but they are very determined and will go over or around using mud wall tunnels to protect themselves to reach the succulent timbers on your carport if you allow them to.

Dry wood termites live in trees above ground and get all the moisture they require from the humidity in the air. They will move into your lovely carport directly from any trees or timber that touches it such as old logs, stacked firewood or branches from overhanging trees

·        Keep spouting and drainage systems in good repair

Subterranean termites require high levels of moisture, so thrive if your drainage system is not removing all water from the area. Water drainage pipes should not remain filled with water or empty directly into the ground nearby. If you have a garden tap or car washing facility ensure that the faucet does not leak as even a small leak of water onto the ground could potentially provide enough moisture to keep a large colony of termite alive over the dry months

·        Timber and Firewood

Often people like to store excess timber in the roof of a carport to keep it dry and out of the weather, but this could be a great food source for both dry wood termites and subterranean termites. If you are storing timber there ensure it’s well stacked so it’s visible, allowing you to detect the presence of termites and that is well ventilated to discourage them

Firewood should also be stored above the ground or away from your timber carport

·        Grass clippings

Leaves and grass clippings are great places for termites to hide and thrive before moving into your timber carport they also love cold compost heaps and railway sleeper garden surrounds

·        Bark gardens

Attractive bark gardens and walkways are very popular, but unless treated for termites by a pest control technician are very likely to be a direct pathway for termites to invade your timber carport before moving on to your home

An annual termite inspection on The Gold Coast or if you find any sign of termites in or around your property you are well advised to call your local pest control company for a proper professional termite inspection and have them install a termite barrier on your Gold Coast property. This is the only you can be sure you timber carport will not become dinner to either subterranean termites or Drywood termites. There are many do it yourself treatments available, but is it really worth putting your valuable investment at risk to save a few dollars.