Ant
Annoying- A narrow, pinched waist.
- Antennae with a bend in them, like an elbow.
- Front wings longer than the back wings.
- Usually dark, and happy to walk around in the open.
The pest guide
Know your enemy
Eight uninvited guests, and how to tell which one has moved in. The signs to look for, where they hide, why it matters and what to do before we get there.
The usual suspects
Pick your pest
Each guide is written for someone standing in the kitchen at 11pm wondering what that was. No jargon, no scare tactics.
Cockroaches
If you have seen one, it has friends.
Read the guideAnts
The trail on the bench is the tip of the nest.
Read the guideSpiders
Most are harmless. Sydney has two that are not.
Read the guide- Do not disturb
Termites
Quiet, hidden and very hungry.
Read the guide Rats and mice
That noise in the roof is not the house settling.
Read the guideFleas
The ones on the pet are the minority.
Read the guide- Do not disturb
Wasps
Step away from the nest.
Read the guide Silverfish
Harmless to you. Not to your books.
Read the guide
Not sure what it is?
Small, fast and gone before you got a good look
You do not need to know what it is. That is our job. Take a photo of the pest, the droppings, the nest or the damage and send it with the quote form. We will tell you what you have and what it will take to sort it out.
A good photo shows
- The pest itself, as close as you can safely get. Blurry is still better than nothing.
- Something for scale beside it, like a coin or a key.
- Droppings, webs, mud trails, nests or damage, if the culprit has already left.
- Where it is in the house, so we know where to start.
The one worth getting right
Flying ant or termite?
They turn up at the window in the same warm, humid weather and they look alike at a glance. One is a nuisance. The other eats houses. Here is how to tell.
Termite
Call us- A thick waist. The body is one straight piece.
- Straight antennae that look like a string of beads.
- Four wings, all the same length.
- Pale and soft bodied, and stays out of the light.
Still not sure? Do not squash the evidence. Take a photo and send it to us.
Whatever it is
What to do right now
Six things that help with almost any pest, cost nothing and make our job quicker when we arrive.
Take a photo
Of the pest, the droppings, the nest or the damage. A clear photo saves a lot of guessing.
Note where and when
Which room, what time of day, how many. Patterns tell us where they are living.
Put the food away
Sealed containers, clean benches, lid on the bin, pet food up overnight.
Cut off the water
Fix dripping taps, dry the sink at night and tip out standing water outside.
Keep hands off
Do not touch droppings with bare hands. Do not poke nests. Do not disturb termites.
Keep kids and pets clear
Away from nests, webs and anything you are not sure about, until it has been looked at.
If someone has been stung or bitten and has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or you suspect a funnel-web bite, call 000 first. Pest control can wait.
Seen enough?
Send the details and a photo of what you are seeing and we will come back with a quote.