How To Get Rid Of Common Household Pests

In addition to being annoying to have around, household pests can pose a serious threat to

your family’s health if they’re not dealt with expeditiously. In this post, we shall be looking

at common household pests in New Zealand, how you can identify the different kinds of pest

infestations, prevention and how you can control them.

How to get rid of birds

How to get rid of cats

How to get rid of dogs

How to get rid of possums

How to get rid of rodents

How to get rid of flies

How to get rid of cockroaches

How to get rid of silverfish

How to get rid of mosquitos

How to get rid of moths

How to get rid of spiders

How to get rid of wasps

How to get rid of birds

Birds are beautiful creatures

when they are in their natural habitats but can quickly become a problem when they invade

your home. Their droppings can corrode metals, stone and paint while their nests can clog

roof drainage and ventilations. And that’s not all, birds also make a lot of noise and could

spread diseases to humans through inhalation or ingestion of their droppings.

Identifying a bird problem

A bird infestation is pretty easy to identify. In addition to the birds, other signs include nests,

droppings and bird noises.

Prevention

Birds, like most pests, come to your home in search of food and water. Ensure that your

property is food free to avoid attracting birds and other pests. Cover your garbage cans and

clean up any food that is dropped in your yard.

Controlling birds

Installing a fishing line or a thin steel wire a few inches above and along your roof’s apex

will deter birds from perching and roosting there. It’s simple effective and easy to install.

This, however, will not prevent birds from invading the rest of your property.

We recommend the following bird control products:

http://www.pestrol.co.nz/pest-control/birds/bird-spikes/

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How to get rid of cats

Cats as pests? It’s hard to

believe that this cute and cuddly creatures can be classified as pests but wait until they invade

your property. They turn your yard into their litter box, dig up lawns and gardens and can

agitate your own pet making it uncomfortable in its own home. Intruding cats can also bring

other pests such as fleas and ticks into your home.

How to identify a cat problem

You will know you have a stray cat problem when you see a strange cat hanging around a

couple of times or when you often find cat litter and dug up soil in your yard.

Prevention

Cats come into your property in search of food and shelter. Cover all areas that provide

shelter to stray cats such as beneath porches and decks and remove all food sources to keep

your property cat free.

Controlling cats

Natural scents such as citronella, lavender, garlic and citrus spray can be used to deter cats

from coming into your property. These are however not 100% effective, for better results you

should use professional products.

We recommend the following cat control products:

http://www.pestrol.co.nz/buy-online/pestrol-bird-animal-motion-activated-water-jet-repeller/

http://www.pestrol.co.nz/buy-online/pestrol-cat-away/

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How to get rid of dogs

Dogs can cause quite a bit of a

headache when they show up on your property. They dig around your lawn and garden, and

defecate there leaving you with a very unpleasant mess to clean up. In addition, stray dogs

can also cause distress to your own pet when they show up at your home.

How you know you have a dog problem

Finding a strange dog hanging out around your home, dog poo, paw marks and dug up soil,

could indicate a dog intrusion. Check to see if this happens again or was a one-time event.

Prevention

Keep your property free of food and water that could attract animals to your house.

Controlling dogs

Putting up a fence around your property can help keep dogs and other wandering animals out.

This is a bit expensive, though, a cheaper option would be to use a professional dog control

product.

We recommend the following dog control products:

http://www.pestrol.co.nz/buy-online/pestrol-solar-animal-repeller/

How to get rid of possums

They might seem cute but

these animals can cause a lot of disturbance when they invade your property. In addition to

the noise they make, possums could also bring other pests such as fleas and ticks to your

home.

Signs of a possum infestation

Possums usually hide under decks, in the basement and attic. Noises coming from these areas

could indicate a possum infestation. Investigate any strange noises to confirm an infestation.

Prevention

Possums will get into your home through holes and openings in walls. Inspect your house and

cover all holes and cracks that could be used as entry points. Screen low windows and decks

to prevent possums from getting under them. Possums are also good climbers so trim tree

branches so that they are at least 10ft from your roof.

Control

Spraying a solution of one cup molasses, a liter of water and a splash of dish washing

detergent on your leafy plants will help prevent possums from munching on them. Possums

dislike this taste and will leave your property if there is nothing to eat.

We recommend the following possum control products:

http://www.pestrol.co.nz/buy-online/possum-trap/

How to get rid of rodents

Rodents are one of the most

dangerous pests that could invade your house in terms of the damage they cause. Rodents

gnaw on furniture, fabrics and virtually anything they come across. Rodents are also known

to transmit diseases to humans.

How to identify a rodent infestation

Because rodents are nocturnal, seeing them is quite difficult. This means that you will have

to rely on other signs to identify a rodent infestation. Some of the signs you should look for

include tracks and grease marks along walls, damaged property, holes on walls, as well as

noises coming from your attic, walls and beneath the floor.

Prevention

Rodents come into your home for two reasons; food and shelter. Maintaining a clean house

and keeping your food in secure containers – preferably ones made from metal or glass – will

ensure that rats have no reason to stick around. Also, inspect your house and seal all holes

that rodents can use to enter. Remember, rodents can squeeze through the tiniest of spaces.

Control

For a natural homemade rodent control solution, put a few drops of peppermint oil on cotton

balls and place them where the pests have constructed their nest. Rodents find this smell very

unpleasant.

We recommend the following rodent control products:

http://www.pestrol.co.nz/pest-control/rodents/

How to get rid of flies

Flies are very irritating, they buzz and hover around creating great discomfort. And because

of their indiscriminate feeding behaviour, flies can also contaminate food as they jump from

one food source to the other.

Identifying a fly infestation

Fly infestations are quite conspicuous and hard to miss. The flies will swarm around making

it very easy to identify them.

Prevention

Keeping your place clean will help prevent a fly infestation. Clean food related messes and

spills immediately, keep your dishes clean and cover your garbage bins.

Control

Flies often find entry into your home through open doors and windows, keeping them shut

will deny them entry. This might, however, be hard to do during hot weather which is when

fly populations are at their highest.

We recommend the following fly control products:

http://www.pestrol.co.nz/pest-control/insects/automatic-insect-spray-dispensers/

How to get rid of cockroaches

In addition to being an eyesore,

cockroaches also present a significant health hazard. They can contaminate food as they

move from one food source to another and their droppings (which contain tropomyosin)

could trigger allergic reactions and asthma in humans.

How to identify a roach infestation

Signs of a cockroach infestation include cast skin, egg cases, a foul musty smell coming from

their dwellings and cockroach droppings.

Prevention

Cockroaches are most at home in dirty, cluttered places. Keep your house clean and tidy to

discourage cockroach infestations. Do your dishes before going to bed, vacuum your house

often (especially the kitchen) and keep your bins covered.

Control

Cockroaches are some of the most resilient creatures on earth which makes controlling them

a bit of a problem. With the right products, however, control can be done quickly and

effectively.

We recommend the following cockroach control products:

Pestrol Cockroach Pads

This chemical free cockroach control solution uses adhesive to trap these troublesome pests.

Just place a couple around the house and check them after a week or so. Once it’s full, just

toss it out with your trash.

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How to get rid of silverfish

These are small silver to

gunmetal coloured insects that feed on dextrin in adhesives, sugar, starches and other

carbohydrates. They will damage your photos, books, carpets and clothes made from natural

fabrics such as wool, cotton and silk.

Identifying a silverfish infestation

Silverfish are unique insects that can be easily identified by their silvery body and fish-like

movements. They have a carrot like shape that narrows from the head to the tail terminating

with three tail-like appendages at the rear. Other than spotting the actual insects, you might

encounter these signs: damaged books, photos and fabrics.

Prevention

Silverfish usually get into your house through holes in your walls. Inspect your house and

cover them. Also, install door sweeps to protect the space below doors. Clearing leaves and

other damp materials near your home will also reduce the chances of an infestation.

Control

Although silverfish can survive in a variety of environments, they prefer living in areas with

high humidity. Using dehumidifiers will make conditions less favourable for them to thrive.

We recommend the following silverfish control products:

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How to get rid of mosquitos

Mosquitoes will keep you up at

night with their painful bites and the sharp, irritating noise they produce as they fly around.

Additionally, mosquitoes are dangerous disease vectors transmitting diseases such as Dengue

fever, Filariasis, the West Nile Virus and Yellow Fever.

Identifying a mosquito infestation

Mosquitoes can be identified by their most prominent features which are a narrow body, long

thin legs and a prominent mouthpart known as the proboscis.

Prevention

Other than blood, mosquitos also feed on plant sap. Clear all overgrown vegetation and mow

your lawn regularly to deny mosquitoes food and shelter near your home. They also require

water to breed and draining nearby stagnant water will help control their population.

Control

Keep doors and windows that are not screened shut at night when mosquitoes are most active

to prevent them from coming into your house.

We recommend the following mosquito control products:

Pestrol Outdoor Dominator:

For those times when you have an outdoor event like a barbecue, the Pestrol Outdoor

Dominator comes in handy for keeping mosquitoes out of your hair. This device uses heat

and carbon dioxide (the things that attract mosquitoes to their prey) to attract mosquitoes

before sucking them into a secure chamber using a powerful fan. It’s quiet and effective.

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How to get rid of moths

Other than being a major

nuisance, moths will cause damage to your stored food and clothes. Whether they invade

your closet or pantry, the damage they’ll cause if not controlled fast will be substantial.

Identification

Adult moths are highly attracted to light and will be seen flying around lighting fixtures.

They resemble butterflies in physic but lack the brilliant colours worn by their close relatives.

Prevention

Moths can be brought into the house hidden in clothes, furniture and food so inspect these

items before you bring them into your house. Switching off outdoor lights when they are not

in use will help reduce the number of months around your home.

Control

Using lavender will help extrude moths from your home. This method is however not

effective on larvae which are the most destructive.

We recommend the following moth control products:

Pestrol Premium Dispenser

For complete moth control including the elimination of moth larvae, you can rely on the

Pestrol Premium Dispenser. This device emits a fine mist of pyrethrin that diffuses in the air

killing all insects in range. And because it is made using natural ingredients, this product is

completely safe for your family.

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ct

How to get rid of spiders

Spiders spin their webs all over

the house causing a mess that takes a lot of time and effort to clean up. Although most home

invading spiders are not venomous, a lot of people are very scared of them which is reason

enough to want them gone as soon as possible.

Identifying a spider problem

A spider infestation is very easy to detect, you’ll either encounter the eight-legged creatures

crawling around or see the numerous webs they spin.

Prevention

Cover cracks and holes on walls that may provide entry to spiders and screen all the vents.

Keeping unscreened doors and windows closed will also help.

Control

You can keep spiders away from your property using eucalyptus sprigs. Strong spices can

also be sprinkled around your home to repel these pests.

We recommend the following spider control products:

Spider Catcher

For those spiders that have been able to penetrate your defences, the Spider Catcher will help

you get rid of them safely. It has bristles that close on one end of a long arm and a trigger on

the other helping you capture spiders in high places.

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How to get rid of wasps

Wasps sting painfully resulting

in swelling around the affected part and uncomfortable irritation to the skin. For some people,

though, the allergic reactions might be severe and lead to fatal symptoms that require

immediate medical attention.

Identifying a wasp problem

Wasps are active during the day and can be seen flying around your property. All wasp

species share some common characteristics which include a pinched waist (known as a

petiole) and a pointed lower abdomen.

Prevention

Seal all holes, cracks and crevices that wasps can use to get into your home. Keeping your

doors and windows shut if they are not screened will also help keep wasps out.

Control

Wasps are very territorial creatures that will not settle in an area with another colony. A fake

wasp nest will give the illusion of another colony. Crumple a brown grocery bag and hang it

outside your house to keep wasps away.

We recommend the following wasp control products:

Pestrol Outdoor Dominator

Wasps will be attracted to it and trapped inside once they get in.

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