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.

 

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.

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.

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.