Pest Library

Cockroaches

Cockroaches have a tendency to explore your home at night, and for this reason, they can be quite elusive and difficult to spot. You may have no idea that you have a cockroach problem until your home is infested by them.

Not only are cockroaches discussing to look at in your home but they can transmit an array of nasty diseases such as Salmonella, Dysentery & Gastro-enteritis posing a significant health hazard to you and your family.

These pests are attracted to warm, cozy spots, such as near sinks, ovens, and fridges, and are likely to hang out in your kitchen & hot water cupboard.

If you see one cockroach, it is almost guaranteed that there are more of them, and it is best to deal with the issue as soon as possible. Their ability to breed rapidly and their resilience means that a professional service is usually the most reliable form of control. Only expert products and solutions are powerful enough to eliminate all stages of their lifecycle.

Spiders

Two of the most dangerous spiders in New Zealand are red-back spiders and Katipo spiders, and if you notice these in your home, you should keep well away from them as you’ll require anti-venom if bitten by them.

The white Tail spider is also one to avid as they are reported to bite humans, with effects including a red mark, and local itchiness, swelling and pain. On rare occasions, bites can cause nausea, vomiting, malaise or headache.

Their preferred prey is other spiders, so regular preventive pest management is advised to control there natural environment.

Fleas

Fleas are certainly one of the most annoying pests to have in your home. Their bites can cause itching and allergies to flare up, and they are also known to carry diseases.

Fleas multiply extremely quickly, and within a month, you could have thousands of fleas in your home, even if you started out with just a handful. This is because they lay a large number of eggs at one time. And these eggs are most likely to be laid in your carpets, bedding, or furniture.

If you have pets such as cats or dogs, you should ensure that they are regularly de-flead so that they do not carry fleas into your home.

Wasps

If you have ever been stung by a wasp, you’ll know just how painful their sting can be. And unlike bees, a single wasp can sting you over and over again without dying. Severe allergic reactions to these stings can even prove to be fatal.

There are various types of wasps in New Zealand, but the ones that are most aggressive and seem to cause the most trouble are common wasps and German wasps. These two species look very similar, and both have bright yellow markings.

Wasp nests are usually grey or brown in colour, and you should avoid approaching these nests yourself so that you do not aggravate the wasps.

Ants

Ants are one of the most common pests in homes around the world, Although ants seem to be everywhere we look, New Zealand actually has very few species of ants compared with most countries – 11 native species and 29 introduced, mainly from Australia. Ants can be very beneficial in our environment, helping with natural decomposition and aeration of soil, but most people find them annoying and inconvenient when they invade our homes or workplaces.

Ants in New Zealand don’t generally pose a risk from bites or stings such as Fire Ants overseas, but they can contaminate food, undermine paving, cause electrical malfunctions and generally look unsightly, they can be very difficult to get rid of. Did you know that the worker ants live as long as seven years? This is a much longer lifespan than most other insects.

Ant colonies are usually made up of thousands of ants. They create their nests in walls, lawns, and foundations of homes. These nests can end up causing damage to your home. Ants will eat almost anything in your kitchen and are particularly attracted to sweet things. The germs they carry can contaminate your food.

A combination of professional pest management treatments maybe required depending on the species you have, to start with follow these steps
• Track down where they are coming in and seal off the entry point
• Clear up any sticky residues on worktops, because ants are attracted to sweet things
• Cover up any foodstuffs which could be a food source for ants

Rodents

While some may think of them as cute, mice and rats can cause very costly damage to your home, and it is best to get rid of them before they start multiplying. It is estimated in the USA alone rodents cause over 20 Billion dollars worth of damage annually. Rodents have very sharp teeth that allow them to chew through cardboard, electrical cables, plastic, and even wood. In addition to this damage, rodents defecate and urinate on various surfaces in your home, causing contamination and the transmission of bacteria and viruses.

Rats and mice commonly create nests in ceiling space and their nocturnal scratching may keep you up at night. Rodents can also act as carriers for other pests, such as fleas.

Flies

It is very easy to know when you have a fly problem as flies like to make themselves known through their obnoxious and annoying buzzing. They are very dirty pests that regurgitate on your food sources and are known for spreading a wide variety of bacteria and diseases. They are also known to multiply at an exponential rate(a pair of flies can produce millions of offspring), and this makes it very difficult to get rid of them once they have settled on your property.

Both common house flies and cluster flies can cause health concerns in the home and gain access through open doors and windows.

Carpet Beetle

Not all beetles are considered pests, but carpet beetles certainly are. These beetles feed on materials such as fur, wool, silk, and leather, and they tend to infest carpets, bedding, upholstery, and clothing. They prefer natural fabrics and will not likely infest any synthetic fabrics in your home.

A carpet beetle infestation may go unnoticed for many months. This is because they are relatively small and make slow progress when feeding on your carpets and linens. But over time, these beetles can truly cause a lot of damage to your home if they are not taken care of by professionals in pest control.

Silverfish

More than just a nuisance in homes Silverfish are known for their destructive feeding habits and can cause a serious problem in large numbers – damaging books, photographs, paintings, plaster and other household items containing starch or cellulose.

Silverfish have their name because of their silver colour and their strange resemblance to fish because of their scaly appearance. Silverfish survive in most environments, but thrive in conditions of high humidity and can often be found in dark, damp areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, basements and attics.

They move quickly and almost silently and can go undetected in your home for long periods. And in this way, they can cause a lot of costly damage to your property and household belongings.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are one pest that you do not want to hesitate to get rid of. These blood-sucking creatures are becoming more and more of a problem, mostly because of international travel and the spread of infestation from one establishment to the next.

Bed bugs are very small (around the size of an apple seed) and can be difficult to spot. While they commonly hide in your bedding and mattresses, they can also be found in clothing and luggage. Their bites are extremely unpleasant, causing burning, red, and itchy blisters and lumps all over the skin. Scratching these bites can lead to infection.

Wood Borer

Any untreated wooden floors or furniture in your home could become victims of wood borer. Wood borer eggs are laid deep within untreated wood, and the larvae bore their way out, creating burrows as they go. The exit holes in your flooring and furniture are usually the tell-tale signs that you have a wood borer problem.
There are many different types of wood-boring beetles here in New Zealand, but almost all species are just as destructive as the next.

As a homeowner, you’ll know just how expensive wooden furniture can be. The fact that wood borers can instantly devalue your floors and furniture should be reason enough to get rid of them.

Birds

Birds may not be the first animals that you think of when you think of pests, but if you have ever had a bird problem or infestation in your home or business, you’ll know just how much damage they can cause and a nuisance they can become.

Pigeons tend to be the most common birds that make a pest of themselves, creating nests in your roof or eves. The longer birds and their nesting is tolerated, the harder it will be to remove them.

Some bird species are considered a real nuisance for businesses. Most pest birds gain entry into premises through loading bay areas or damaged roofing. They are known to:

• Cause property damage by dislodging roof tiles, blocking guttering, building nests and leaving droppings that corrode building material.
• Be aggressive and attack customers and employees, especially during the breeding season when they are defending their young.
• Carry fleas, mites, ticks, lice and other biting insects which can spread diseases and pose a serious health risk.

Adopting expert bird control measures sooner rather than later will ensure your business is protected against the hazards associated with pest birds.

At carpets & Critters, we’re the experts in effective bird control. We have a wide range of discreet, cost-effective and humane control measures that won’t harm the birds or disrupt your business.