Pests such as rats, cockroaches, and some spiders will nest within your walls. They tend to chew on electrical cables and drywall and are known to pass on diseases like salmonella and Hantavirus. You might even face an increase in termites, ants, and mosquitos in your region.

How to Control Pests in Autumn?

To get you through the potential surge in pest infestation this autumn, we have put together 6 valuable pest control tips that you can do yourself:

1. Know The Signs

Watch for droppings, signs of nests, or burrowing. If you find any signs of insects, try to find the source of the infestation. Letting a pest problem fester will later go on to become unmanageable.

2. Make Repairs

The simplest way to protect your home is to first get ahead of the problem. Any openings, cracks are an entry point for pests into your home. Begin by blocking access and preventing the spread of pest infestations. Clean and screen all windows and doors. Repair any damaged screens.

Repair weather-stripping and loose mortar around the foundation and windows and doorways. This not only keeps the insects and rodents out but also cold weather.

Check into the attic and inspect all roof spaces regularly. Repair any cracks and damaged roof tiles. Also, make sure to repair the outdoor drainage system. It is essential to draw away water and moisture from your home and prevent any leaks.

3. Seal

Seal all cracks and crevices in your home. Use caulk and steel wool to do so. Especially the areas around piping, seal the holes using caulk. Screen vents and any small openings including mail slots and animal doors. You can use galvanized mesh.

4. Keep Up With The Outdoors

Unmanaged grass and shrubbery act as good hiding spots for insects and rodents. Keep branches, shrubs and bushes trimmed and away from the house. Any compost should be kept in a sealed area away from the house. Garbage bags and bins attract the most rats and cockroaches and should be well sealed. It’s a good idea to store these and any other yard waste, like firewood, at least 5 metres from the house.

Monitor drainage systems, pipes, water storage tanks, and gutters.

5. Avoid Moisture

Keep the house dry and well ventilated. Moisture and dampness attract pests. Some pest thrive in wet and moist conditions, making basements, garages, attics, bathrooms, and laundry rooms hotbeds for pests and mosquitos. You can use dehumidifiers to control the moisture.

6. Keep Clean

Food left unattended and open attracts insects and rats. Keep everything sealed in airtight containers and store in a dry place. Avoid leaving food outside for longer than necessary. Keep garbage bins sealed and in clean surroundings.

Lastly, while it’s the time of high risks of pest infestation, Autumn is also the best time of year to reinforce your home and secure it from pest problems for the rest of the year. Already have pest infestations in your home and repellents aren’t working? It is probably time to call in the experts for pest control services.

At Ajet Pest Control, we offer effective services to help you prepare for the Autumnal pest infestations, as well as for a range of other solutions for you to overcome pests. No matter how grave or trivial the situation, we have the right solution and experience. So, if you are in Auckland, worried about pests, reach out today, and we will deliver you from your troubles. 

The best way to combat bugs is to use a bug spray or an insect repellent. There are many insect repellents available at your local supermarket, i-SITE’s and dairies. The most effective insect repellents are the ones that contain diethyltoluamide (DEET). While there are natural products available, a 2014 survey showed that the best and most effective repellents are DEET-based insect repellents with protection of up to four-to-six hours.

Here is a list of 7 of the best repellents on the local market:

1. Rid Medicated Repellent Plus Antiseptic Spray

Rid Medicated Repellent was the best performing repellent according to the Consumer survey. It performs as an insect repellent as well as preventing inflammation. It contains 13.5% DEET and is effective for a total of 6 hours. It is designed to be used as First Aid and can be applied before and after a bite.

RID is a multi-purpose insect repellent and is effective on mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas, leeches, sandflies, and biting midges. This formula is available in roll-on, pump spray, and aerosol spray form. It is PETA friendly with a 5-year shelf life. It is approved by the Australian Government Authority, Australian Pet & Veterinary Medicine Association (APVMA).

2. Repel Xtreme

Repel is the most commonly-found and widely-used insect repellent. It is made and sold in New Zealand and 100% is Kiwi owned. They manufacture and sell a range of skin protection products such as insect repellents, sunscreens, lip balms and muscle & joint products. They are also the distributors of the Equip range of travel nets, sleeping bag liners and travel towels.

The Repel Xtreme contains 80% DEET. It is non-greasy, water and sweat-resistant, and pleasant smelling. It is the strongest repellent, providing up to 10 hours of protection from mosquitoes, sandflies, fleas, biting flies, ticks and other blood-sucking insects. The Repel Xtreme’s formula also provides antiseptic, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. The active ingredients used in their products meet the World Health Organisation and Center for Disease Control and Protection recommended levels. Repel also has DEET-free products for those who wish to opt for natural insect repellents.

3. UltraGuard

Ultraguard is a lotion-based repellent made by a New Zealand based company called GunCity. It protects against sandflies, mosquitos and all biting insects. It is an SPF23+ product, water-resistant, non-greasy and pleasantly scented.

It lasts up to four hours and is safe for the family. It is manufactured in Christchurch, NZ and sold across the country.

4. Miss Muffet’s Revenge Spider Control

Miss Muffet’s Revenge Spider Control is the best-known spray for interior and exterior protection. It is a ready-to-use formula, specially designed to kill spiders. It comes with a jet spray and nozzle attachment to help in easy application and precision in spraying.

It provides 12 months of protection after a single application and can be used twice in an average 3-bedroomed house. It has an unlimited shelf life.

5. Kiwicare No Bugs Super Spray

Kiwicare No Bugs Super Spray is a professional strength long-lasting insect repellent. It can be used indoors and outdoors. This formula is effective on almost all household bugs such as spiders, mosquitos, cluster flies, wasps, mites, bed bugs, lizards and cockroaches.

It protects indoor surfaces for up to 6 months and outdoor surfaces for up to 4 months. It is a concentrated mixture that needs to be diluted with water before use.

6. GoodbyeSandfly

Goodbye Sandfly is a natural insect repellent and bites soother. This all-natural product was formulated in 1999. It can also be used to treat bites as it has soothing and antibacterial properties. Goodbye is an all-natural product and it works differently than a chemical repellent. It requires reapplication, the instructions for which are available on their website.

It is New Zealand’s number 1 selling natural repellent for 10 years. Goodbye has been certified with NATURE since 2016 and 1% of their turnover goes to non-profit support. 

7. Tui Extreme Bug Spray

Tui Extreme Bug Spray is a natural insect repellent. The main active ingredient is derived from the JAVA Citronella grass. It is the only natural repellent ingredient recommended by the  Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The company, Tui Balms, is also registered as a not-for-profit, donating its profits to registered charities.

For many, chemical-based products may even cause allergic reactions, in that case, natural products are the best available option. Even Though the 2014 survey concluded that DEET-based products work better, there are many all-natural products available on the market that have been proven to be very effective. DEET-based products are useful in indoor as well as heavy-duty situations such as when hiking or walking through wild bushes. In the case of daily use, all-natural products are equally effective.

It is also useful to know which pest to watch out for during the different seasons. See our tips on pest control in Autumn!

For a regular residential home, it is recommended by the professionals to pest control your property every month. Depending on the treatment used by the pest prevention company, the effects can generally last for up to 2 months, on average.

Pests come and go and the best thing you can do as a homeowner is to prevent them from coming back. A lot of people in Aukland experience this multiple times because they think that prevention is only a one-time process. If you stick to this concept, pests will never leave your home. You need regular treatment as a preventive measure. You need to invest in prevention controls so you can get rid of what’s damaging your property.

A regular monthly visit from your pest control team will give them enough time to assess if the pesticides are effective or if there are any adjustments that need to be done. But of course, there are still factors to consider such as the level of infestation, the size of your home, and the type of pests.

Some pest control companies, on the other hand, say that it’s okay to have prevention treatments quarterly because it merely depends on the solutions being used. The stronger the preventive solutions, the lower the likelihood of pests coming back to your home.

There are seasons where the need for pest control is lessened. The coldness of the winter season helps homeowners so they can cut back temporarily. However, there are mammal pests like rats and mice that are going to look for warmth and shelter in your home rather than leaving during winter. Additionally some pests are more frequent in winter. For example cockroaches are a common pest issue during the wetter, winter months. If you think this is likely to happen, make sure to contact your pest control team so they can check the best treatment for you.

Pest control is the regulation of a number of species, also referred to as pests, as they are considered harmful to ecology and human health. It has always been necessary to protect plants from pests and therefore pest control has been in place since the beginning of agriculture. Pests are usually rodents or insects.

The main problem with pests is that they severely damage your home and your health, regardless of their size. In Auckland, pest control is one of the major problems people are facing today. Many companies have been established to address this issue, but most companies cannot solve this problem and offer only temporary solutions. It is also important to know how often you need to use pest control treatments.

Methods of pest control in New Zealand:

Biological

In the early days of Auckland, pest control was carried out mainly with biological methods. This method focuses mainly on the control and management of natural parasites and predators. Auckland used this pest control method as it was always safe and did not pose a threat to the ecosystem.

Chemical pesticides

There are thousands of chemical pesticides that are used today in homes, stores, offices, farms and many other places. Pesticides are dangerous and pollute soil, food, air and water. Sometimes they are too dangerous for individuals who use them and for other living organisms nearby. Pesticides are available in liquid, solid and aerosol form, categorized by the type of pest they kill, such as bactericides for bacteria, insecticides to kill insects, herbicides for plants. Pesticides can kill a harmful animal through the mouth, the respiratory tract and the skin. Always remember to read the pesticide label before using a spray and avoid contamination of drinks, food, utensils and other items that are not covered. If you have problems with pesticide control, contact a pest control service provider to get the job done.

Organic pest control

In general, an organic or natural method is preferred for those who wish to limit the damage caused by small animals and insects and to ensure the safety of their children, plants and pets. If you want to use traps, bait or sprays. You can add poison to your bait, such as insecticidal soap, aerosols, oil, etc.

Hygiene control

A clean place does not attract pests. It leaves no food where pests can grow and multiply. Therefore always pay attention to good hygiene in the office or at home. After every meal, clean the appliance, dump residue and leftovers into a safe garbage bin, rinse dishes and keep all household items clean.

There are several effective and safe methods of pest control, which are invented with extensive researches. Recognizing the problem and using the appropriate pest control method would lead to long-term results.

What do bed bugs look like?

It is tricky to identify these guys because they are so jolly small so to help out we made a dedicated post on what bed bugs look like. An adult bed bug is roughly half a centimeter in size, and their children measure in at a whopping 2 to 5 millimeters. Keep those eyes peeled for little flat, oval-shaped, rusty coloured apple seeds with 6 legs, 2 antennae and no wings, and should you find them, grab your magnifying glass because the baby bugs are still translucent and the tiny eggs are a cream colour, making them even harder to spot. 

Image: Wikimedia Commons

What do fleas look like?

These are even harder to inspect than bed bugs as they’re roughly the size of a baby bed bug, a whole 3mm. They are, however, great bed bug impersonators. They’re the same rusty colour, they’re also flat, and they don’t rely on wings to travel.

They give themselves away in that they just can’t help jumping, they love it, it’s how they get around, and their back legs are designed for it, unlike bed bugs who merely crawl to their desired destinations. So should you get close enough to a flea (before it jumps away), you’ll notice their very long back legs which afford them the ability to jump an impressive 30cm, making it one of the best jumpers out there. Read out full article on the different types of fleas you find in New Zealand for more info.

Where are bed bugs found?

Bed bugs are the undisputed hide and seek champions of the world. Their tiny bodies are perfectly suited to hard-to-find hiding spaces. Furthermore, they’re nocturnal. They love to hide under bed frames, behind headboards, in electrical outlets, in springs, on the corners of mattresses, behind wall paper, on the back of paintings and frames and in furniture crevices. These nasty pests are also incredibly committed to hiding. They’ll hide for up to 4 months after gorging themselves on your blood. If you’ve found bed bugs in these locations see how to get rid of them.

Image: Louento.pix on Flickr

Where are fleas found?

After hatching, the flea’s only intent is to protect itself, and carpet fibres, mats and floors are the perfect places to do so. As they get older, fleas, like most humans, begin to love pets, they just have an unorthodox way of showing it; they suck their blood and take over their beds. The juiciest parts of our beloved fur children are their necks, backs and underside areas, which is where fleas take up residence in order to take full advantage of the buffet. Apart from that, they also quite enjoy the great outdoors, taking a liking to places that offer both shade and humidity, like long grass, shrubs trees and leaves. 

What do bed bug bites look like?

Considering where bed bugs live, their bites tend to appear mostly from the waistline up; you’ll generally find bites on your hands, shoulders and neck, and occasionally on your legs. Bed bug bites form in clusters or lines, with multiple bites appearing in one area. They become red, swollen and itchy and have a defining dark spot in the middle of each bite. 

Image: louento.pix on Flickr

What do flea bites look like?

Flea bites tend to appear mostly from the waistline down, especially on your ankles, given that they prefer the safety of the carpet in your home, shrubs in your garden or the fur on your pets. Flea bites are also raised, red and itchy, but their bites are more spread out (remember, they love jumping) and, if infected, can form a white pustule in the middle of the bite. 

Image: Michael Voelker on Flickr

How do you get rid of fleas?

Flea extermination is more straightforward, and thus approximately half the cost of bed bug extermination. Residual product (product that is absorbed by the pests when walking over it) is applied to carpets and floors where it actively works for several weeks, ensuring fleas hatching over the next few weeks will be dealt with accordingly.

In order to ensure the residual product functions optimally, do not wash or vacuum floors for at least 10 days after treatment. Powder treatment is then applied outside and underneath your house to prevent camping fleas from heading inside. Simple, effective, and much easier on your wallet, so let’s hope those bites belong to fleas.

Although similar in so many ways, the aforementioned differences between fleas and bed bugs are clear enough for you to identify which critter is squatting in your home. However, if you’re still unsure, or are extra cautious, most bed bug treatment or flea removal specialist will offer an inspection service where they’ll accurately diagnose the problem, equipping them with the best knowledge to inform their treatment. 

Food production for spiders peaks in Spring with the arrival of flies, midges and insects, so you can expect to see more spider web laden side mirrors and room corners to add to your pest control list. Furthermore, White Tail spiders hate the wet and damp conditions outside. They also prey on other spiders so if you are seeing lots of smaller spiders you might be inviting white tails in. Don’t despair, we’ve got a few helpful tips to keep these unwanted 8-legged pests away. 

– 1 –  

Clean the outside of your house aiming to rid of  any and all webs. Take a hose, broom or pressure washer to them, you can never be too sure!

Get the whole family involved to ensure all grime and dirt films are cleared.

– 2 –  

Spring clean inside your house. That’s why they call it Spring cleaning. Nothing should be excluded: door frames, window frames, ceiling, corners, skirting boards, crevices and so on. Be thorough, you’re only going to do it once this year, make it count. Throttle their food source, it’s the vacuum cleaner’s food now.

Which house will it be? Make sure it’s not yours.

– 3 –  

Next you sit back and wait about 10 days for the webs to re-establish signaling where the active spiders are. This is where the spider control experts come in. Depending on the what they find, they are likely to start by administering an external surface treatment which is applied in areas where spiders typically crawl.

Most professional treatments work on residual contact meaning the insect will absorb the product after crawling over it, effectively exterminating it. On the internal surfaces, residual product is usually only applied as required.

Now you leave remaining cobwebs for at least 6 weeks after treatment so that visiting spiders (like our white tailed friends) will come in contact with the product. Webs can then be brushed away with a broom or duster. Don’t use water to clean these surfaces as it will wash the product away.

Who you gonna call?

– 4 –  

Bonus step. No further efforts involved. The above tips will naturally keep away the white tails as you’ve successfully exterminated their food source. Bye spider, we’d prefer you find somewhere else to go about your spider business, I’ve heard camping is quite pleasant this time of year.

White Tails should take advantage of the beautiful outdoors New Zealand has to offer

Easy as! Spring into action this spring by giving us a call if you’d like to go ahead and book in a treatment.

Here are some of the survival tactics these pests boast:

1. A cockroach can hold its breath for almost 40 minutes
2. The largest cockroach in the world is over 10cm long
3. A cockroach can live without its head for a full week
4. They can survive at a temperature as low as 0 degrees
5. They can run up to 5km/hour, even the little ones
6. They can live without food for an entire month.

These astounding facts give an insight into the fascinating and challenging process of getting rid of a cockroach infestation in your house.

How To Find A Cockroach Infestation

The most common species found in New Zealand are the Gisborne Cockroach, American cockroach and German cockroach. See our article on cockroaches in NZ for more information. Each type of cockroach requires a different treatment. It’s best to get a professional cockroach exterminator to identify the type and tailor a treatment that is specific to your property.  

If you spot a cockroach in your property, there is a good chance that there is an infestation nearby. Cockroaches can live up to 2 years and start reproducing after 6 weeks. A female cockroach can lay 5-30 egg sacs containing 12-40 eggs. There is no time to waste in getting rid of the infestation. That’s why it’s important to act as soon as you see a cockroach in your home.

Common indications of a cockroach infestation are:

Sightings

This is the easiest way to notice an infestation. Our common Bush cockroach will nest in nature, occasionally coming inside and appearing randomly in the house. German or American cockroaches are usually found in the kitchen in/around fridges, ovens, drains, dishwashers, and microwaves where they set up nests. If there’s a heavy infestation, it may spread to your dining room, lounge, and hot water cylinder. 

Cockroach Droppings:

Cockroach droppings can help us understand how bad things are. The amount of visible faeces is a good indication of the size or duration of an infestation. Small cockroaches produce droppings that resemble coffee grounds or black pepper, while larger roaches produce oval more noticeable droppings.

Cockroach Eggs:

Cockroach egg cases are another good indication of an infestation. The egg cases are dark and oval-shaped, each egg case holds many eggs so are easier to see than the eggs themselves. They are normally hidden in dark places so check seams in furniture and behind cupboards and bookcases.

Bad Odour:

Certain species can produce unpleasant smells. A strong oily or musty odour can be an indication of a large infestation. 

What To Do Once You Have Found A Cockroach Infestation

If you find an infestation it is best to get in touch with a professional pest control company.  It may seem cheaper to buy over-the-counter products to treat the infestation yourself. However, you need to know how to identify the cockroach, understand their habitat, where they’re nesting and what products are the most effective. It’s best to only use commercial-grade pest control products that are approved by New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority. Over-the-counter products often aren’t strong enough so you may simply cause cockroaches to scatter, spreading the infestation further. 

Give us a call to hear more about our treatment process on how we control cockroach infestations.

How To Prevent Cockroach Infestations

Infestations can start (and be ongoing) when simple hygiene and maintenance are overlooked. For example, pet food bowls not being washed after feeding, dirty dishes left out, food scraps not being disposed correctly, cardboard and paper piled up, or rubbish not being bagged and disposed of in sealed bins. We recommend that you regularly deep clean your kitchen and house. Remember to pull out microwaves, refrigerators and stoves to clean behind and underneath. Organic garden waste and rubbish also provide perfect homes for cockroaches, so remember to clear out waste from around your property too.  

A regular, professional pest control program will ensure that cockroaches are kept under control. See our article on how often you should pest control your home.

Need professional cockroach treatment?

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Need professional cockroach treatment?

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Once you have booked a pest extermination service, you will want to make sure you get the most out of it. Follow the steps in this guide to ensure it is as effective as possible.

It is important that your technician has easy and safe access to all entry points such as doorways, windows and skirting boards – these are the key areas for treatment. Before your technician arrives please make sure you:

• Clear any items from window sills and the floor (including from under beds and other furniture)
• Put personal items (e.g. clothing, toys) in cupboards or on a bed with a cover sheet
• Put personal toiletries (e.g. toothbrush, towels, toilet paper) in cupboards or cover them
• Put food and crockery away in cupboards (store food in airtight containers)
• Clean behind and under your whiteware appliances e.g. fridge, dishwasher and oven
• Wash walls and skirting boards.

Cleaning may remove the residual product leaving the treatment ineffective. We recommend that wash walls and skirting boards and water blast the outside of your property several days before the treatment.

Do you have pets?

You must notify our office if there are pets on your property. If you have an ‘inside’ pet you must make alternative arrangements for your animal during the treatment and for at least four hours after the treatment. Reptile or fish tanks must be covered with oxygen supplies turned off.

After your pest control treatment

• Do not enter the property for at least four hours after your pest control treatment
• Wipe down food preparation areas (but not walls)
• Wash any bedding/covers that were left out
• Do not touch any installed traps or bait
• Do not wash the product off surfaces.

How to prevent further infestations

There is no such thing as an invisible barrier to stop pests from coming inside. We view pest control as a partnership between our qualified technicians and you, the property owner/tenant. Good sanitation and hygiene, together with an effective pest control programme can reduce infestation.

We also recommend that you:

• Clean your kitchen and food preparation areas every day
• Remove rubbish and food scraps every day – dispose of in sealed bags
• Clean behind the fridge and oven to prevent pests from breeding (at least every 1-3 months)
• Regularly clean kitchen cupboards that are used to store food (at least every 1-2 months)
• Always keep food stored in air tight containers (e.g. floor, rice, spices, pasta, fruit and vegetables)
• Clean pet food bowls after every use

Our products

We offer a 100% guarantee on the professional service and application of our products. We use commercial pest control products that are approved by New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Agency. These products are designed to break down over a six to eight week period. The product has a manufactures guarantee of up to three months. To remain effective, the product must not be removed for the recommended life of the treatment (12 weeks). New Zealand has harsh UV light that may cause the project to break down earlier. More than one treatment may be required for ongoing control over the summer months.

Your treatment has a set timeframe for effectiveness.

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