Pest Control Companies on the Gold Coast Warn Against DIY Pest Control
With termites spreading at considerable speed on the Gold Coast, there’s also a growing motivation for homeowners to turn to DIY pest control solutions. Pest control experts in the region are reporting that these attempts may be adding to the pest control problems, rather than helping them.
Today we speak with Danny Kelly director of pest-ex.com.au: Pest Control Gold Coast. He shares with us the reasons why homeowners should always use qualified pest control experts, rather than attempting to do it themselves.
High humidity and higher rainfall patterns make termite control on the Gold Coast an issue, but other factors require a specialist to assess. Bushland near properties often host colonies of termites that then attempt to infiltrate homes in search of new sources of food. Coupled with this, yards frequently feature trees or landscaping features that attract termites. A pest control technician is trained to inspect, and treat, an entire property, not just the inside of a home. Ignoring the outside of the house is a common mistake DIY pest controllers make.
Trained pest control teams are also familiar with the breeding patterns and life cycles of termites on the Gold Coast. They, therefore, know the best time to tackle an infestation, and how to eliminate the pests for good by targeting the source of the problem. When performing pest control at home, many homeowners will spot treat the termites they see, rather than the colony. Part of long-term termite control is ensuring the colony that is hosting the roaming termites is eliminated, and that a home is adapted or repaired to block all entry points. It requires expert advice which comes from years of experience in the game.
Perhaps, more importantly, is to consider the health and safety of your family.
Specific DIY treatments are not considered safe for humans or pets. Reputable pest control services not only adhere to health and safety regulations, but they also tend to use environmentally safe products.
If you’ve attempted to control your termite problem the DIY way, you’ve more than likely think you’ve nailed the problem because you didn’t see any live termites afterward. That’s a cause for concern. Termite control pros rely on high-tech equipment such as thermal imaging to detect pests behind walls or other areas that are not easy to access. You may not be seeing termites, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t in your home, causing damage.
The advice from the experts is that you shouldn’t underestimate the extent of the infestation. Also, look at habits such as storing timber on your property, or issues with the house such as leaks. Your DIY energy is best put towards rectifying your ways, cleaning up your yard and fixing up the problem spots, they say. DIY treatments are a one-off. What you need is a long-term solution that also ensures new termite threats are picked up before they become a bigger problem.
Most pest control services offer maintenance programs. A series of baiting units can be installed easily around your house. It will enable the team to contain termites before they enter your home. It also facilitates easy treatment. The termites are exposed to material that affects their ability to molt. They return to the colony and inadvertently spread the material to others. In this way targeting a few hundred termites allows you to kill hundreds of thousands of termites in the nest.
The issue here is that you are putting your biggest investment – your home – at risk. Recent research shows that up to a quarter of people surveyed would not buy a home if they saw any sign of termites. Twenty-five percent said they would walk away from the sale entirely. Property agents are also reporting a rise in cases where a contract has fallen through when termites are discovered in a home. They’re recommending that any property that is hitting the market should undergo a professional pre-sale pest inspection to prove it is termite-free.
With termite damage becoming a bigger problem than ever on the Gold Coast, many potential homeowners are requesting pre-purchase pest inspections before they make an offer too. They’re wise to do this. A seller may be confident that their DIY pest control strategy has protected the property, but the would-be-buyer should never take their word for it. You want a certified report from a pro that looks at the current pest situation on the property, signs of damage and the risks the house faces (such as the presence of leaks in wet rooms).
As a homeowner looking to sell, a termite infestation can drop the value of the house by up to a quarter of what you think it’s worth. A pest inspection, along with a building inspection, is estimated to cost the seller about $500. This cost can easily be factored into the price of the sale. Weighed against the drop in the value of your home if termites are discovered, it seems a small investment with huge benefits.
