A1 Pest Control

Australia, Bella Vista

A1 Pest Control in Sydney, Australia

Main Services:

pest control , termite control , rodent control , end of lease pest control , end of lease flea treatment , termite inspections , tick control , spider control , mice control , thermal termite inspection

A1 Pest Control

A1 Pest Control in Sydney, Australia. This is what sets us apart –
Planning to live in Sydney?
Are you, a family member or a friend intending to settle in Sydney, NSW Australia? We are experts in pest inspections, pest reports, termite inspections and pre-purchase property inspections (PPI’s). We use the latest technology in termite inspections to make sure your property is safe from termite attack and make common sense recommendations for your property’s protection from timber pests.

Email me for more information at bruce@a1pestcontrol.com.au
Termite Control Cost – Why So Much?
By A1 Pest Control
If you’ve had a few quotes for termite control, or been scouting around online, you may have been a little shocked by termite control cost.

One reason the termite control cost may surprise you is that to the layman, the matter of controlling termites appears no more difficult that any other pest control treatment – and yet the cost of termite control is generally in the range of $2000 – $4000.

When you understand what is involved in the process of detecting and successfully controlling termites, the termite control cost will appear much more reasonable – in fact, your termite control cost represents exceptional value.

Here are some of the factors that may affect the termite control cost for you property:

• Part of the termite control cost relates to detecting the locations of termites in an around the home, identifying the species, and giving due consideration to the area soil type and other factors to determine which method and product is appropriate.

• Termite control cost will also depend on the products being used by the pest controller. Good pest control experts will use the latest, most effective and safest options for controlling termites. These products tend to be more expensive than outdated products, so it stands to reason that the termite control cost reflects this.

• Modern chemical barrier treatments like Termidor are believed to be substantially more effective for many infestations than cheaper baiting systems, so the type of control employed against the termites will also be reflected in your termite control cost.

• Termite control cost will also vary according to the size of the property that requires treatment and the ease of access for the pest control operator.

Why the termite control cost represents outstanding value

Pest controllers who apply effective treatments and are confident in their work often offer a 5 year guarantee if you continue to have regular inspections during that period – so rather than offering 6-12 months protection, effective termite control treatments tend to last for many years.

Therefore, if your termite treatment is $2000, the actual termite control cost is only $400 per year.

Now, let’s look at the value of that $400 a year termite control cost. To start with, it’s probably less than the cost of your annual home insurance – and that’s an important point because your home insurance won’t cover termite damage.

Another component of the value that may be incorporated into your termite control cost is this – professional pest controllers have access to liability insurance that protects them financially in the event that you suffer termite damage despite treatment and need to recover the cost of the damage through litigation.

Is your termite control cost starting to look more reasonable?

Of course, to ensure that the termite control cost for your property is value for money, you’ll want to be sure that you engage a licensed pest controller who uses quality products and guarantees their work.

If you’d like to speak to a professional about termite management you can call us today for more information or to arrange a pest inspection.

You can contact us by calling 0417 251 911 or emailing bruce@a1pestcontrol.com.au

Environmentally Safe Solutions For You and Your Family.

3 Reasons Why You Should Consider a Thermal Termite Inspection
By A1 Pest Control

3 Reasons Why You Should Consider a Thermal Termite Inspection
Did you ever consider that maybe you should get a thermal termite inspection? That maybe just a visual inspection with some tapping might be a “good enough” report for your new purchase or existing home?

After all, a visual inspection is a lot cheaper, and you could probably use the extra couple of hundred dollars elsewhere?

Those exact same thoughts have occurred to many people either purchasing a new home, or worried that they may have termites within their existing home.

Some actually acted on that thought. Most never work through the daydream stage.

Frequently it’s because they think its too expensive. In other cases it’s because it’s a big unknown and new, confusing technology. Still other times it’s because they think they are used to the old methods.

O.K. now, wait up a minute. We took on a big dose of negatives to start with in that lead paragraph. Let’s look on the positive side and consider 3 explanations why you might like to get a thermal termite inspection.

1. To start with, for the “Pro” side, I might point out that thermal inspections identify EXACTLY where the termites are when they produce heat. And they ALWAYS produce heat.

All right, I acknowledge your objection, on the “Con” side, and I agree you have a legitimate point when you say they may be more expensive than regular inspections.

But I’d like to additionally show that the small extra cost may save you stress, worry and thousands of dollars in timber damage and court costs, chasing the termite inspector that missed the damage because he only did a visual check.

2. Second off, You actually will need to consider that they are non-intrusive, in other words they don’t leave holes in your wall or have to tear anything down. And, additionally, consider that they are ENTIRELY environmentally friendly.

3. Third, you get to know exactly where termites may be travelling, instead of just guessing.

Which means a thermal inspection is much, much more accurate than the traditional visual inspections.

And in addition to that, you will save money IF ACTIVE TERMITES ARE FOUND because the pest control firm will be able to use less chemical in areas where it’s not needed!

Whenever you look at the reasons and evaluate them, I expect that you will have to admit that a compelling case can be made for thinking of how to get the best value out of your purchasing decision.

Think it over. Perhaps you truly should take the next step in technology by getting the very best in Thermal Termite Inspections.

Discover how to have complete peace of mind or make great buying decisions for your next home by calling now on 0417 251 911 or by emailing me for more information at bruce@a1pestcontrol.com.au.

P.S. These new detection tools cost us over $25,000 but they are the very best inspection tools in the pest industry, and I consider them to be a terrific “peace-of-mind” equipment for our company and your home.

Spider Pest Control
The Sydney Funnel-web Spider is believed to be limited to an area of about 160 kilometres from the centre of Sydney. Other species of Funnel-Web Spider are found in Eastern Australia, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. They are probably the most venomous aggressive spider in the world, all funnel web species are lethal to humans, not just the Sydney or Northern tree dweller. If they bite you it is usually a pretty deep injection but even a small grazing bite means get to hospital immediately.

The Sydney Funnel-web constructs its own burrow which may be over a foot deep or uses a suitable crevice in rocks or round house foundations. Sometimes, Funnel-webs may be found in colonies of over a hundred. The webs are white and often tubular rather than funnel-like with supporting lines running out to surrounding rocks and debris.

The spiders may take several years to reach maturity and live for perhaps 8 years or longer. When mature, the males leave their webs and lead a homeless existence. They tend to roam and often enter homes particularly during Summer after a heavy downpour of rain. They mate with a female for only one season and if not killed shortly after mating, die within a few months.

This spider is one of Australia’s largest and most easily identified. The body of a female Sydney Funnel-web spider measures about 35mm in length and the male about 25mm. The paired spinnerets at the end of the abdomen are particularly long, much longer than those of other large dark spiders. The male is of a more delicate build than the female and has 2 features which help identification. One is a little spur half way along its second leg on each side and the other is finely pointed feelers to transfer sperm to the female.

Both sexes are very aggressive and when approached, will rear up into a ready-to-strike position. Their massive fangs can penetrate a child’s fingernail. However, most people bitten by them are not injected with sufficient venom to cause any illness. Often it falls off the tips of the spider’s fangs as it makes a preliminary downward thrust. People bitten by the female may at the most suffer pain around the bitten area.

The venom of the male is 5 times more toxic than the female. Man and monkeys seem to be especially susceptible to the venom. For example, rabbits can be given very large doses of the venom with no apparent effect but a small dose injected into a monkey produces the terrifying symptoms seen in humans. In all cases where the victim has died, and in which the spider has been positively identified, it has been a male spider.

The venom contains a low molecular weight toxin called atraxtoxin which attacks the nerves of the body causing thousands of electrical impulses to be fired down them. The muscles twitch and there is a profuse flow of perspiration, tears and saliva. The venom also causes changes to blood vessels which can lead to shock and coma due to brain damage. All the evidence suggests that the effects wear off after a few hours. Provided the victim reaches hospital before serious illness has developed, he or she has an excellent chance of recovery. An antivenom to the venom of the Sydney Funnel-web Spider became available in 1980.

NORTHERN OR TREE-DWELLING FUNNEL-WEB SPIDER
(Atrax formidabilis)
The Northern or Tree-dwelling Funnel-web Spider is the most dangerous member of this pest species and near to the most dangerous in the world. They are found from northern New South Wales to southern Queensland, usually in heavily timbered areas which are rarely entered by man. A female may make her nest in a hole as high as 18 metres from the base of a tree. The venom from both males and females has shown to be more toxic than the male Sydney Funnel-web. The antivenom developed for the Sydney Funnel-web may be used effectively against the Northern Funnel-web.

How To Get Rid Of Mice
By A1 Pest Control

Controlling Disease Spreading Mice – It’s Still Important

Many home owners have become a little complacent about controlling mice and other rodents in recent decades. It may be partly because we now frequently see mice and rats for sale as pets, and so don’t feel as threatened by mice and rats as we once did. It may also be because our generation hasn’t had to witness anything like the deadly Bubonic Plagues of the early 1900s. The fear factor may have been reduced but there are still very good reasons for keeping mice and rats away from your home or farm.

Why mice are still a problem

Mice still carry the same diseases they did back in the 1900s. We know much more about them now and of course, in some cases, advances in modern medicine have rendered some of the viruses and infections transmitted from mice to humans or pets less deadly. Nonetheless, we still don’t want to be on the receiving end of some of the conditions that mice and rats can spread like:

• Toxoplasmosis – a parasitic infection that may result when a parasite is transmitted from mice to cats and then to humans. In healthy humans, the risk of illness is considered low however, where other conditions have reduced immunity, eye damage and inflammation of the brain, among other problems may occur.

• Leptospirosis (also known as Weil’s disease) – infection is thought to come from food, water or soil that has been contaminated by rodents. Olympic rower Andy Holmes died of this disease in 2010 apparently after coming into contact with contaminated water.

• Hemorrhagic fevers – a group of viruses that affect multiple organs. Vaccines are only available for a few viruses within this group so prevention is all important.

• Salmonellosis – yes, the all-to-common Salmonella bacteria. Infection comes from consuming contaminated food however few people understand how the food in question becomes contaminated. Food can be contaminated by droppings from animals that are infected – including, but not limited to, mice.

How mice spread disease

Mice spread disease in three ways – via the droppings and urine the mice leave when they come into contact with food or utensils; by biting or otherwise coming into contact with humans or animals; and by infecting fleas that in turn infect humans or pets.

Controlling mice can be difficult – and if neighbouring homes or properties are well protected from mice, your home may well become the preferred feeding and breeding ground for the local mice.

How to Get Rid of Mice

So how do you control mice? Prevention is your first line of defence against mice. Don’t leave snacks out for the mice – keep surfaces clean and free from food crumbs and properly seal packets of food that you store in the pantry. Block off gaps through which mice may enter your home.

Pest control experts can also help you to get rid of mice. If you’re being invaded by mice this year, contact your local pest control expert Bruce Gow of A1 Pest Control, 0417 251 911 to arrange an inspection and discuss suitable rodent control strategies. Also see our article at our website at http://www.a1pestcontrol.com.au/pest-control/mice.html

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