Bug Control

Dealing with Bug Problems in your Home

Sharing your home with any one of the thousands of insect species found in your area is never fun. Not only can the spread of diseases be attributed to some bugs, but they can also damage your home and possessions, not to mention the distress they can cause to many people.

Types of Bug Problems

Some of the common insect pests our Technicians encounter are:

Carpet Beetles – Carpet beetles come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Most resemble a ladybird beetle in shape, but are usually less than ¼″ long; their color ranges from black to brown and even white and yellow. Adults are commonly found indoors at windows while the small larvae wander around the infested structure. Larvae can damage many types of materials, including products made of wool, fur, cotton, and silk.

Silverfish – Silverfish are one of the most primitive insects. Adults are ½” – ¾” long, silver grey in colour and carrot-shaped with three bristles on the end of the abdomen. Silverfish can be found almost anywhere in a home, but prefer moist, warm conditions. They feed on a variety of items, including grain products like flour and oats, meats, and other silverfish. They can also cause real damage if allowed to get into your paintings or book collections.

Earwigs – Their name is derived from the superstition that they will crawl into the ear of sleeping people and bore into the brain. Adults range from ¼″ to 1″ long, dark brown in color and have forceps at the hind end. The forceps, which are curved in the male and straight in the female, are not poisonous and will simply give you a small pinch. The female lays about 40 eggs a year and then rears the young herself – which is unusual in the insect world. Earwigs feed on live or dead plants and insects and will sometimes damage vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.

Millipedes – Sometimes called “thousand-leggers”, commonly encountered millipedes can be as large as 4½” long and are usually brown or black. Many species protect themselves by secreting foul-smelling chemicals. They’re scavengers which feed mostly on decaying plant matter. Massive millipede migrations of hundreds or thousands sometimes occur, often as a result of heavy rains. They’re primarily a nuisance, but large numbers often require professional control.

Centipedes – Centipedes are long, flat multi-legged animals, ranging from ⅛″ to 6″ long, depending on the species. In the home, the house centipede prefers dark, damp locations during the day, then comes out at night to search for prey. Unlike millipedes – with whom they are commonly confused – centipedes can bite.

Ladybugs – Ladybugs are considered a beneficial insect – an insect that helps to control a pest insect. Rose growers often release ladybugs to provide natural aphid control. However, when large numbers of even a beneficial insect enter your home, they are considered a pest.

Black Field Cricket – This mostly black to dark brown Black Field Cricket has a slong slender antennae and strong hind legs modified for jumping. It is 20mm long and found in suburban yards. They are often found in groups under rocks and logs and feeds on exposed vegetation and plant life.

Mites – Bird mites are tiny parasites typically associated with bird nests. Bird mites will feed on people and their bites can cause tremendous itching. When a bird leaves an infested nest, the mites may come inside, where they can infest bedding. Clover mites are slightly larger than bird mites and are bright red. They typically enter homes during the fall, sometimes in large numbers, when vegetation dies, but spring invasions may also occur. Clover mites will leave red stains on walls and furnishings if crushed.

Pillbugs and Sowbugs – Pillbugs and sowbugs are actually crustaceans, similar to shrimp and lobsters, that have adapted to living completely on land. About ⅝” long, they feed on decaying vegetation. They require high moisture to survive and quickly die as a result of water loss when they enter a home.

Ticks – The brown dog tick is the species most often found indoors and is common on dogs. Adults are about ⅛” long, and when engorged can expand to ½” long. Females can lay up to 5,000 eggs which she places into cracks and crevices. After feeding, they hide in cracks and crevices and can survive for months without food. The American dog tick is usually found outside along paths and tall grassy areas. The deer tick is responsible for transmitting Lyme disease

Controlling Insects in Your Home

Although many homeowners struggle with do it yourself insect control remedies the results are often less than satisfactory. Small problems can develop into large ones and this is when many people seek out the services of a pest control professional.

South Australia has a variety of insects that are unique to the local area and Adelaide Pest Control technicians have the expertise to treat insects quickly and effectively – leaving you free of the fear that these pests create. Adelaide Pest Control technicians are skilled, experienced professionals – they are state certified, fully licensed and insured applicators and are required to participate in regular training programs to maintain their expertise as some of the best technicians in the industry. As most live in the area local to you - they have great local knowledge of each species and use that insight when developing a pest control program for your home. They also have respect for you, your home, your family and your time.

At Adelaide Pest Control, we pride ourselves on fast, responsive service every day. If you would like further advice or to arrange an inspection call us on 1300 697 290 or click here to contact us today!