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Look After Your Families Health Today
Book today and we will give your house a free rodent treatment.
value... $129.00 |
Q. Do I need to be out of my home when you are treating my house for cockroaches, spiders, silverfish or Fleas.
A. No you do not need to be out of the house. The Termite Information Centre use the same chemicals approved for use in Nursing homes and hospitals.
Q. I have pets, is it safe to leave my pets in the house when a treatment is being carried out.
A. It is generaly safer to remove pets for a couple of hours until the chemical dryes.
Q. Do I need to remove all of the contents of my cupboards prior to your arrival.
A. In most cases NO. However in some instances you may be advised to depending on the spacific infestation.
All Termite Information Centre technicians are experianced fully licensed pest managers
There are many pest types that are reported most often in Australian House holds we have listed a few of the most common below.
Cockroaches are close relitives of termites and belong to the insect order blattodea. They are a primitive high successful group of animals originating nearly 300 million years ago. Out of the nearly 3500 species of cockroach world wide only 10 have seriosly ventured into the human domain. This common complaint can be sepperated into two main catigories of Cockroach infestation.
1. Outdoor, this group is inhabited by the:
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Smokybrown Cockroach 30-35 mm; Dark brown to almost black with almost no pale markings preferring to dine on plant materials and is often a pest in nurseries, garages, woodpiles, wall and roof voids. They can also be found around drains and under mulch piles. This species flies in the warmer weather and is attracted to light at night.
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Australian Cockroach 30-35mm; Brown a clearly defined yellow border around pronotum and foremargin of forwings distinctly yellow. Mostly outdoors, prefers to dine on plant materials. often found under dark trees in crevices of trees, woodpiles and in moist locations in decaying vegetable matter. Also in found in subfloors, wall voids, garages and sheds. may flie in warmer weather.
2. Indoor,
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German Cockroach 12-15; Light amber brown with 2 dark longitudinal stripes an pronotum. Infest interior of buildings mostly kitchens, pantries,storerooms,and food handling areas. They are commonly found behind and in electrical appliances such as fridges, water heaters, fridges, stoves and microwave ovens, attracted by the warmth they can often cause appliances to malfunction causeing thousands of dollars worth of demage.
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American Cockroach 35-40; Reddish brown, legs paler, pale yellow boarder around pronotum. Can be found dwelling in subfloors, sewers, grease traps, cellars, wall voids, roof voids, and rubbish dumps. This species travels for food and is a pest in backeries, food sevice areas, hospitals, foodstores and warehouses. These are not the only species infesting our homes but are the most common.
Spiders, considered pest in homes, work places and recrational areas spiders can be effectively controlled by your pest manager. In many species of spider the sex of the animal can be an indication of what level of danger they poss on us and our families. Size and colour alone are not good enough features to identify any arachnid; In determining the sex of spiders, the difference in size between adult males and females is usually so marked that it is a useful feature on its own. In most cases the male spider is smaller and has longer legs then the female of the same species. The female spiders abdomin is usually swollen for reproduction.
   
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Funnel-Web Spiders...deadly and aggressive |
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FEMALE
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Venom toxicity - the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider is one of the world's most deadly spiders. Both the male and female carry atraxotoxin, one of the world's most dangerous toxins. The Blue Mountains Funnel-Web and Northern Tree Funnel-Web Spiders are also highly venomous.
Danger time - the mature male funnel-web spider will wander around during hot humid nights, looking for a mate, and is known to enter homes, footwear, clothing, washing and swimming pools where they can survive several days under water. It is highly aggressive when disturbed or cornered and is able to inflict multiple bites, with its "flick-knife" hardened fangs.
People also find funnel-web spiders wandering around the garden or in the home after heavy rain or nearby earthworks. An anti-venom is available in most major hospitals and ambulance vehicles in "funnel-web country". First aid and medical attention (ambulance) should be sought as soon as possible, if bitten.
Spider Identification - an adult male 25 mm - female 30 mm in body length - shiny black in colour with a dark purplish brown abdomen- reddish hairs. Unique attributes include it's long spinnerets, that is , the 2 appendages on the end of the abdomen and the male has a spur on 2 of it's legs - refer to illustration on left.
Area of distribution - the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider is a ground dweller in moist soil areas along much of the eastern coastal area of New South Wales and Victoria.
The Blue Mountains Funnel-Web Spider is found mainly in the Blue Mountains area, as far west as the Bathurst - Orange region and occasionally in the Sydney basin.
The Northern Tree Funnel-Web Spider is found in south-eastern Queensland and northern New South Wales as far south as the Hunter Valley region. |
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Red-Back Spiders...highly venomous - can be deadly |
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Venom toxicity - the Red-Back Spider can inflict a painful bite which can be fatal, especially to the young and elderly. An effective anti-venom was developed in 1956. About 250 people receive the anti-venom each year.
Only a small amount of venom can cause serious illness, as the poison attacks the nervous system. Systemic envenomisation usually results in headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, pyrexia, hypertension and in severe cases, paralysis.
The pain around the bite area can be excruciating. First aid and medical attention (ambulance) should be sought as soon as possible, if bitten.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide.
Spider Identification - size varies greatly - the male can be tiny, with the abdomen of the female growing to the size of a large pea. Red-Back Spiders do NOT always have a "red" marking.
Habitat - prefers dry habitats - often found in out-houses, letter boxes, undersides of seats, in rubbish, such as empty cans, in the sub floor and other dark areas. Electric lights attract their prey - moths, flies, mosquitoes and other insects. |
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White-tail Spiders: venomous - dangerous? |
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Venom toxicity - the bite of a white-tail spider may cause nausea and burning pain followed by swelling and itchiness around the site of the bite.
In some rare but dramatic cases, a severe allergic reaction, blistering or ulceration of the skin, similar to gangrene, has been reported in the media and linked to the bite of a white-tail spider.
However, this cause/effect relationship has not been proven conclusively to the satisfaction of some scientific researchers. Bacterial infection of the wound caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans carried on the fangs of the white-tail spider, may be a contributory factor.
In any case, first aid and medical attention should be sought, if bitten, as and when any adverse health effects are observed.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide.
Spider Identification - adult size varies 12 to 20 mm in body length - grey to black in colour with a white section on the end of it's tail - as illustrated.
Habitat - prefers cool moist location - commonly found in garden mulch areas. In summer, it often wanders into buildings, particularly bathrooms, to escape the heat. |
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Mouse Spiders...venomous - painful bite |
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MALE
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Venom toxicity - known to cause severe illness, especially to young children - similar to Red-Back Spider. Although normally not aggressive, the male mouse spider will bite if provoked, and should be considered dangerous to humans. It has large hard fangs which can cause a deep painful bite. First aid and medical attention (ambulance) should be sought as soon as possible.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide.
Spider Identification - a medium to large spider of up to 35 mm in body length. The male Mouse Spider often has a bright red head and elongated fangs.
The Mouse Spider is often mistaken for the Funnel-Web Spider. The main differences being the Funnel-Web has much longer spinnerets (the 2 appendages on the end of the abdomen) and the male funnel-web has a spur on it's second leg - as illustrated above.
Habitat - Mouse spiders are ground dwellers with burrows of more than 1 metre deep. The male often wanders about during the day on open ground, especially after rain, in search of females.
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Black House Spiders...venomous - nausea |
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Venom toxicity - the bite of the Black House Spider is poisonous but not lethal. Certain people bitten experience severe pain around the bite site, heavy sweating, muscular pains, vomiting, headaches and giddiness. First aid and medical attention (ambulance) should be sought as soon as possible.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide.
Spider Identification - adults are about 15 mm in body length and of a dark brown to black velvet textured appearance.
Habitat - this spider spins a lacy, messy web and is prefers dry habitats in secluded locations. It is commonly found in window framing, under eaves, gutters, in brickwork, sheds, toilets and among rocks and bark. Electric lights attract their prey - moths, flies, mosquitoes and other insects. |
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Wolf Spiders...venomous - non-aggressive |
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Venom toxicity - the bite of the Wolf Spider is poisonous but not lethal. Although non-aggressive, they bite freely if provoked and should be considered dangerous to humans. The bite may be very painful. First aid and medical attention should be sought as soon as possible, particularly as to children or the elderly.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide.
Spider Identification - an adult is 15 mm to 30 mm in body length - mottled grey to brown in colour, with a distinct Union Jack impression on it's back. The female carries it's young on it's back.
Habitat - this spider is a ground dweller, with a burrow retreat. It has a roving nocturnal lifestyle to hunt their prey and can move very rapidly when disturbed. Commonly found around the home, in garden areas with a silk lined burrow, sometimes with a lid or covered by leaf litter or grass woven with silk as a little fence around the rim of the burrow.
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Trap-Door Spiders...low risk - non-aggressive |
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Venom toxicity - the bite of the Trap-Door Spider is of low risk (non toxic) to humans. It is a non-aggressive spider - usually timid but may stand up and present it's fangs if harassed. Rarely bites - but if so it can be painful.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide.
Spider Identification - an adult is about 35 mm in body length - brown to dark brown in colour - heavily covered with fine hairs. The male has distinct boxing glove-shaped palps, that is, the two "sensory feelers" at front of it's head.
Habitat - this spider is a ground dweller, with a burrow retreat lined with silk of up to 250 mm in depth and around 25 mm in width - prefers nesting in drier exposed locations - often has a wafer-like lid on the burrow entrance. Trap-Door Spiders are commonly found in the drier open ground areas around the home. |
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Orb-Weaving Spiders...low risk - non-aggressive |
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Venom toxicity - the bite of Orb-Weaving Spiders is of low risk (not toxic) to humans. They are a non-aggressive group of spiders. Seldom bite. Be careful not to walk into their webs at night - the fright of this spider crawling over one's face can be terrifying and may cause a heart attack, particularly to the susceptible over 40 year olds.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide, particularly common in bushland along the eastern coastal areas.
Spider Identification - an adult is about 20 mm to 30 mm in body length - has a bulbous abdomen - often colorful - dark to light brown pattern. The common Golden Orb-Weaver Spider has a purplish bulbous abdomen with fine hairs.
Habitat - often found in summer in garden areas around the home - they spin a large circular web of 2 metres or more, often between buildings and shrubs, to snare flying insects, such as, flies and mosquitoes. |
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St Andrews Cross Spiders...low risk - non-aggressive |
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Venom toxicity - the bite of the St Andrews Cross is of low risk (non-toxic) to humans. They are a non-aggressive group of spiders.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide.
Spider Identification - adult 5 to 15 mm in body length - abdomen striped yellow and brown - as illustrated. The St Andrews Cross Spider usually sits, upside down, in the middle of it's web forming a cross - as illustrated.
Habitat - this spider is a web-weaver usually found in summer in garden areas around the home. It is considered beneficial as it spins a large web to snare flying insects, such as flies and mosquitoes. |
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Huntsman Spiders...low risk - non-aggressive |
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Venom toxicity - the bite of Huntsman Spiders is of low risk (non toxic) to humans. They are a non-aggressive group of spiders. However, a large individual can give a painful bite. Beware in summer when the female Huntsman Spider is guarding her egg sacs or young.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide.
Spider Identification - an adult varies greatly around 15 mm in body length - has long legs - the diameter of an adult including legs may reach 45 mm - the first 2 pairs of legs are longer than rear two - it is hairy - buff to beige brown in colour, with dark patches on the body.
Habitat - a hunter that prefers to live under the flaking bark of trees, under flat rocks and under eaves or within roof spaces of buildings. The Huntsman Spider often wanders into homes and is found perched on a wall. It is a shy, timid spider that can move sideways at lighting-fast speed when disturbed. |
FLEAS
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In order to understand how and why treatment options work, we must first understand the flea’s life cycle since the various modern treatment and prevention products work on different parts of this life cycle. There are several stages to its life cycle: egg, larva or caterpillar, pupa or cocoon, and adult. The length of time it takes to complete this cycle varies depending upon the environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and the availability of a nourishing host. Yes... the various flea stages are quite resistant to freezing temperatures. The flea's host is a warm-blooded animal such as a dog or cat (or even humans!) The adult female flea typically lives for several weeks on the pet. During this time period she will suck the animal’s blood two to three times and lay twenty to thirty eggs each day. She may lay several hundred eggs over her life span. These eggs fall off of the pet into the yard, bedding, carpet, and wherever else the animal spends time.
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These eggs then proceed to develop where they have landed. Since they are about 1/12 the size of the adult, they can even develop in small cracks in the floor and between crevices in carpeting. The egg then hatches into larvae. These tiny worm-like larvae live among the carpet fibers, in cracks of the floor, and outside in the environment. They feed on organic matter, skin scales, and even the blood-rich adult flea feces. The larvae grow, molt twice and then form a cocoon and pupate, waiting for the right time to hatch into an adult. These pupae are very resilient and are protected by their cocoon. Pupae can survive quite a long time, waiting until environmental conditions and host availability are just right. Then they emerge from their cocoons when they detect heat, vibrations and exhaled carbon dioxide, all of which indicate that a host is nearby. The newly emerged adult flea can jump onto a nearby host immediately. Under optimal conditions, the flea can complete its entire life cycle in just fourteen days. Just think of the tens of thousands of the little rascals that could result when conditions are optimal!
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If you find yourself in the midst of a flea infestation, you will likely need to treat not only the pets but the indoor and outdoor environment. When treating the indoor environment it is important to wash all bedding in soapy, hot water especially if the pets spend time on your bed. All of the carpeting should be vacuumed thoroughly and the vacuum bag thrown away. Steam cleaning the carpet can kill some of the larvae as well. Remember, though, that vacuuming and shampooing a carpet will still leave a good percentage of live fleas, a chemical treatment can then be succesfuly carried out.
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The entire house is now ready to treat. Several choices are available including sprays and foggers. The most effective products are those which contain both an ingredient to kill adult fleas and an ingredient to kill the other life cycle stages. The latter is called an insect growth regulator. Methoprene is one such growth regulator. Aerosol foggers may not penetrate well enough, in most cases, to kill all the hiding fleas and larvae. Another option for indoor control is a sodium borate product that is applied to carpeting. You should then call your local Termite Information Centre for a quote and a guarantee that the procedure will rid your premises of fleas. Always follow exactly any instructions passed on to youby our technicians to ensure the most succesful result. Flea eradication is not always cheap, but what price will you put on living free from flea infestations?
There are a few critical factors in being successful when exterminating fleas.
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In order to be successful it is best to treat the entire property, inside and out as well as under sub-floors in the instance that a house is on piers
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The Lawn surrounding the property should be no hire then 2-3 cm in lenght
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There should be as much floor space as possible clear inside the house, especialy when floors are carpeted
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The sud-floor should be accesable
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Due to the fourteen day life cycle of the flea it is often best to do two treatments about 2 weeks appart.
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