Pest Control FAQs

Combat Pest Control offers comprehensive pest control services in Wellington, including Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Porirua, and the greater Wellington region. 

Our professional pest control in Wellington covers a wide range of pests, such as rats, mice, ants, cockroaches, fleas, spiders, flies, wasps, and more. 

We specialise in home pest control treatments that are safe and effective, providing long-term solutions to eliminate pests from your property.

Combat Pest Control not only offers pest control solutions but also provides expert advice and services for pest-proofing your property in Wellington.

Our experienced exterminator in Wellington can assess your specific pest problem and recommend preventive measures to protect your home or business from future infestations.

By identifying and sealing potential entry points, we can help you create a pest-free environment and minimise the risk of pest-related issues.

Yes, Combat Pest Control in Wellington prioritises the safety of your pets and family. We use pest treatments that are proven to be safe and effective.

Our team has the pest proofing knowledge and expertise to select the appropriate treatments based on the specific pest problem and the unique requirements of your property.

Rest assured that our pest control services are designed to eliminate pests while ensuring the well-being of your loved ones.

Yes, Combat Pest Control offers limited one-off commercial pest control services in the Wellington region.

We understand that pest problems can be detrimental to businesses, affecting operations, reputation, and customer satisfaction.

Our team is equipped to handle pest issues in various commercial properties, including hotels, accommodation, retail spaces, small businesses, and warehouses.

We offer custom pest management services that are designed to meet the specific needs of your business and maintain a pest-free environment.

Getting in touch with Combat Pest Control in Wellington is easy. You can contact us by phone or through our website to schedule a home pest control service.

Our pest-proofing team is responsive and committed to resolving your pest problems promptly. We operate during convenient hours from Monday to Saturday, with flexible options available outside of these standard hours to accommodate your needs.

Whether you’re dealing with ants, rodents, cockroaches, or any other pests, our professional pest control services and experienced technicians are ready to help you eliminate them effectively and safely.

To ensure an effective ant control treatment it is important we first identify the species of ant and the extent of the infestation.

We’ll then ensure your pets are kept safe while we apply specialist baits and an insecticide spray to place a protective barrier around the perimeter of your home to keep the ants away and kill off the colony.

When ants are rampant inside its often caused by bad weather, low food availability outside or escaping repellent chemicals that have been applied outside. That’s why we also do a repellent treatment inside your home to push them back out.

Expect your ant control treatment to eliminate and protect you from ants for 6 months or more. We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you ant free.

White-footed ants and Argentine ants are the most common species found inside and outside homes in Wellington and the Hutt Valley.

White-footed ants; these are black ants and appear larger than other species. This ant species commonly nests in the structural cavities of houses and can be seen marching in trails down foundation walls, heading to gardens to feed on plants, like lemon trees and camellias.

Argentine ants; these are fast-moving reddish-brown ants. Most often nesting outside under pavement or in retaining walls. They will form large trails to invade houses when their scouts find any food high in sugar or protein.

The highest ant populations are in Miramar and the Hutt valley, although ants are prevalent throughout Wellington, Johnsonville, Porirua, Kapiti, and Wairarapa. Ant populations are growing in the Wellington region as a result of warmer weather and recent mild winters.

Ants can be more than just a nuisance pest. They invade kitchens and spoil food. Although not all people can smell ants, some will notice frequent waves of their irritating odour when ants are active inside or nesting in structural cavities.

On top of this, they often damage plug sockets, light switches, light fittings, and other electronics.

The main culprits are White-Footed ants as they regularly make themselves at home inside your walls and roof cavity.

Ants are very resilient, although the current infestation and the colony has been destroyed, there will be new populations of ants which are likely to appear again over time. There are actions you can take to reduce the appeal of your home to ants, and preventative treatments will be more effective, and easier than dealing with a full infestation when a new population moves in.

Ants are unlikely to disappear without treatment. This answer will be different for everyone but the considerations are the same. How much do you want to remove ants from your home? How much time and money do you have to dedicate to this task? And how certain you are you will be able to get a result based on the knowledge and product you have at hand? Take a look at the DIY question below to get an idea of what it will take.

To get the best relief from ants a professional treatment really is going to get the quickest and longest lasting results, and those results are guaranteed. 

DIY ant products can certainly be effective if applied correctly; although in my experience, they are often not applied well. With baits only ever stunting the ant activity rather than eliminating it, and often makes the infestation worse. Repellents can push ants inside the home and trapping them there. Poorly applied baits, repellents, and insecticides also have adverse effects to health (poisoning of pets) and environment.

Even when applied in a professional manner, DIY ant products will usually be effective for a shorter length of time than a professional treatment. In my experience DIY methods need frequent reapplication due to the lower volume of insecticide present in their solutions. It is not uncommon to get called to a do an ant control treatment where someone has spent a lot of time, effort, and money on DIY treatments with less than satisfactory results.

Safety is always our top priority with treatments. Some of the measures we take with ant control are:

1. ensuring children and pets are excluded from treatment zones until product is dry,
2. carefully placing baits only in non-accessible areas, 
3. not using more product than is necessary which is taking care of our environment too.

We will provide you with clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

For ants our treatments include interior and exterior applications to ensure your ant control treatment is extra effective, so you get two treatments. As with all our treatments we provide you with information specific to your infestation and tips to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you ant free.

For ant control we provide an interior and exterior application, so will require access to both the outside and inside of your home. We will work with you to make arrangements which are suitable and convenient to you.

For the interior application we recommend you clear windowsills and move items away from skirting boards to allow access for effective treatment. For the exterior application removing items which restrict access to the outside walls of your house will help provide an effective treatment. For all treatments, pets and children will need to be kept away from the treatment areas for a few hours. This is while product dries. We will provide you clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

Ant infestations can vary depending on the species, but there are a number of general signs you can look for. If you notice any of the following signs, you may have an ant infestation:

1.  Seeing live ants: This is the most obvious sign. If you’re seeing a lot of ants in your home or property, there’s likely a larger colony nearby. Pay attention to the trails they may be following as ants typically follow defined scent trails.
2. Ant trails: As mentioned, ants often follow scent trails. These trails might lead to the food source they are exploiting, or to the entrance of their colony. You might see a consistent line of ants moving back and forth along the same path especially on the outside of your house cladding, across steps or along fences.
3. Ant dirt: Ants make their homes in a variety of places depending on the species. Some prefer to nest in structures like your home. Ants like to keep a tidy home and will push rubbish out of their nest including bodies of dead ants so, look for small piles of soil, sand, or other debris that seem out of place.
4. Foraging ants in your food: Ants are opportunistic and many species will forage for food wherever they can find it. If you start to notice ants in your pantry or around food, this could be a sign of a nearby colony and an imminent invasion.

If you notice these signs and believe you have an ant infestation, it’s best to consult with ant control specialists. We can help identify the specific species you’re dealing with and propose the best treatment method to make sure you get rid of your ant infestation quickly, safely, and effectively.

Eliminating an ant infestation requires targeting the entire ant colony, including the queen and worker ants. While DIY methods like using ant baits may offer temporary relief, they often fail to eliminate the entire colony. Professional ant control experts employ advanced techniques and treatments to address ant infestations effectively. They can identify the type of ant species involved, locate and treat the ant nests, and provide long-term ant removal solutions to eradicate the problem and prevent future infestations.

Ants are highly organised insects that work together to secure and store food for their colonies. Worker ants collect food and transport it back to the nest, where it is shared with other members. They use pheromones to communicate and create trails to guide other ants to food sources. Ants can store food in various locations within their nests, including chambers or specialised storage areas. An ant infestation can impact your property as ants may contaminate food, damage packaging, undermine pavement, and cause electrical issues and even bad smells if they build nests within the premises. Seeking prompt ant pest control measures can help prevent these problems and protect your property from further damage.

The Argentine ant and white-footed ant are common ant species known for forming large colonies and creating widespread infestations. Argentine ants are highly adaptable and aggressive, often displacing native ant species. They can establish vast networks of interconnected nests.

White-footed ants are small black ants with light-coloured legs that commonly infest homes and buildings. They are attracted to sweet food sources and are often found nesting in wall voids, behind baseboards, or near moist areas.

Dealing with these ant infestations requires the expertise of local ant control specialists who are familiar with their behaviour and can implement targeted ant removal treatments to eliminate the infestation effectively.

Thorough searching is required to find where the bugs will be hiding along with cleaning of the nest sites. We’ll hunt down and completely rid you of bedbugs, meticulously killing them with heat treatment and targeted application of insecticide for immediate effect and removing the eggs ridding you of future infestation.

We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you bedbug free.

The reaction to bites from bedbugs vary from person to person, a few lucky people may not even know they have been bitten. Though most will have raised itchy bites and in some cases they can scar. Out of control bed bug problems have been known to cause psychological issues like stress and paranoia.

Bedbugs are most commonly spread by people as they hitch hike on clothes and luggage, so think of recent trips with the accommodation you have stayed in, or visitors to your home. Bedbugs can easily travel on furniture too, so if you have recently purchased second hand furniture, especially bed bases, or mattresses this could be the source also.

Expect your bedbug control treatment to eliminate and protect you permanently from the current infestation. We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you bedbug free.

DIY products and solutions for bedbugs seem to be as numerous as their bites. Anecdotally the success stories with DIY treatments are much much scarcer. How many more nights of bites do you really want to endure while you find something that works? Another trap here is misdiagnosis, often bedbugs are confused with fleas, a bedbug treatment applied to fleas won’t be effective at all as fleas spread throughout the house. As with many DIY pest control solutions you will still be using pesticides which pose a health risk to you and your family if not used correctly, or with appropriate stand down times.

For the few DIY products which may have a chance of working you will need to follow the same meticulous methods of searching out the bedbugs we as professionals do, and carefully applying treatments to several areas such as your mattress, bed, the surrounding floor, and all the other places they are hiding while not feeding on you. All this while working with products which have less potent effects on the bedbugs so may not kill them completely. Methods of using general sprays or sprinkling dirt (diatomaceous dust) around your floor just aren’t going to cut it. If you feel exhausted just from reading the application instructions on these products give us a call for quick relief, and guaranteed results for your money.

While A DIY product may work here if you are a very meticulous person, the risk of failure is high. It is not uncommon for us to get called to a do a bedbug treatment where someone has spent a lot of time, effort, and money on DIY treatment with no relief at all.

If you have an infestation, let’s get rid of it quickly. Avoiding future infestations means avoiding sources of bedbugs. They are most commonly spread by travellers, on people and in luggage. So read hotel reviews and void staying at places with known bed bug problems. It may be more difficult for visitors to your home, but if they are complaining of a having been bitten by bedbugs this is a red flag, as they will likely now be travelling with them.

For bedbug control we will require access inside your home to the affected bedroom(s) to carry out the treatment. Your family and pets will need to remain out of the affected bedroom(s) for 5 hours to allow for treatment and while product dries for your safety. We will work with you to make arrangements which are suitable and convenient to you.

Tidy up the bedroom(s) to be treated to allow us easy access to the mattress, bed base, remove items from the floor where possible, we will move larger furniture as required. Make plans for your family and pets to remain out of the bedroom(s) for 5 hours to allow for treatment and while product dries for your safety. We will provide you clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

Tidy up the bedroom(s) to be treated to allow us easy access to the mattress, bed base, remove items from the floor where possible, we will move larger furniture as required. Make plans for your family and pets to remain out of the bedroom(s) for 5 hours to allow for treatment and while product dries for your safety. We will provide you clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

Thankfully, yes. We can get rid of them quickly too. Bedbugs travel on people and luggage so a single effective treatment will permanently rid you of this pain. We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you bed bug free

Thankfully, yes. We can get rid of them quickly too. Bedbugs travel on people and luggage so a single effective treatment will permanently rid you of this pain. We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you bed bug free

We find bedbugs throughout wellington. They are most often associated with hostels, short term accommodation, motels and hotels, but can also be found in homes where people have travelled, and the bugs have hitchhiked on luggage.

Hell yes! Getting rid of bed bugs is important. They can spread from room to room rapidly and can easily be transferred to other homes as they hitchhike on clothes and luggage. The reaction to bites from bedbugs vary from person to person, a few lucky people may not even know they have been bitten. Though most will have raised itchy bites and in some cases they can scar. Out of control bed bug problems have been known to cause psychological issues like stress and paranoia.

Hell yes! Getting rid of bed bugs is important. They can spread from room to room rapidly and can easily be transferred to other homes as they hitchhike on clothes and luggage. The reaction to bites from bedbugs vary from person to person, a few lucky people may not even know they have been bitten. Though most will have raised itchy bites and in some cases they can scar. Out of control bed bug problems have been known to cause psychological issues like stress and paranoia.

Identifying a bed bug infestation requires careful observation. Look out for signs such as small reddish-brown bugs (adult bed bugs) crawling on your bed, furniture, or walls. Examine your bedding and mattress for tiny dark spots or stains (fecal matter) left by bed bugs.

You may also notice clusters of small white eggs or shed exoskeletons in the seams and crevices of your mattress, bed frame, or box springs. If you suspect a bed bug infestation, it’s crucial to seek professional bed bug control services for effective bedbug removal and treatment.

Eliminating bed bugs requires a thorough and systematic approach. Start by reducing clutter in your home, as bed bugs can hide in various items. Wash and dry infested bedding, clothing, and linens on high heat to kill any bed bugs or eggs. Vacuum your mattress, furniture, and carpeting meticulously, paying attention to cracks and crevices where bed bugs may hide.

Most importantly, however, it’s crucial to enlist the help of professional bedbug removal experts like Combat Pest Control, who have the knowledge and tools to effectively treat infested areas safely and effectively and prevent re-infestation.

DIY bed bug control methods can be challenging and often insufficient in eliminating severe infestations. While DIY approaches such as vacuuming, washing infested items, and using bed bug sprays may provide temporary relief, they may not fully eradicate the infestation.

Bed bugs are resilient pests that can hide in tiny cracks and crevices, making them difficult to eliminate without professional intervention. For effective and long-lasting results, it’s recommended to consult with experienced bed bug control professionals who can employ comprehensive strategies tailored to your specific infestation.

Bed bug bites can cause itchiness, redness, and swelling on the skin. While bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases directly to humans, scratching the bites can lead to secondary infections.

Bed bug bites can also cause emotional distress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances due to the discomfort and stigma associated with infestations.

Promptly addressing bed bug infestations and seeking professional bedbug removal services from our team can help mitigate these risks and restore a sense of comfort and well-being in your home.

Borer are harmless to people, however your home is another story.

The larvae of borer can do a lot of damage over time as they eat their way through timber.

This may take years but can lead to weakness in the structure of your home. Any untreated timber used in the construction of your house, is at risk. In some cases, major repairs requiring a builder may be needed if borer are left to their own devices.

Whilst there are several species of borer. Common House Borer accidentally introduced from Europe and the native Two Toothed Longhorn Borer, are the most common found tunnelling into the timber our homes are built with.

Borer is prevalent in al parts of the Wellington region. It is most likely to be found in houses built before the 1970’s, it is always good to check for it’s presence here. Any exposed untreated timbers are fair game for borer, roof cavities, subfloors, and any untreated timber inside your house including furniture can suffer their wrath.

Borer is prevalent in al parts of the Wellington region. It is most likely to be found in houses built before the 1970’s, it is always good to check for it’s presence here. Any exposed untreated timbers are fair game for borer, roof cavities, subfloors, and any untreated timber inside your house including furniture can suffer their wrath.

The treatment of borer needs thorough inspection to identify areas of infestation. We will then apply a saturation treatment to all accessible timber in the areas of infestation killing existing borer and preventing further infestation.

For cosmetic interior timbers that are painted or otherwise coated, it can be impossible for chemical treatments to penetrate the timber and get to the larvae. In this instance we apply lasting surface treatments during the adult flight seasons to interrupt their life cycle.

We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you borer-free.

Expect your borer control treatment to remove the existing infestation and protect your home from further infestation for 3-5 years. We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you borer-free.

We can certainly eliminate the current accessible infestation and provide residual protection for 3 or more years.

This is protection from borer emerging from non-accessible areas i.e covered by insulation etc, and from re-infestation from adult borer taking flight from neighbouring houses or other sources of non-treated timber.

DIY borer products can be effective in limited situations if applied correctly although in my experience they are often not applied well.

The most common DIY treatments are bore bombs which can fumigate enclosed spaces such as roof cavities. These kill borer on contact, though there is no residual effect, so it needs to be done at the right time of year in the flight season, to kill adults and interrupt the life cycle. As it doesn’t have any lasting residual effect, it will need to be done yearly, and if done at the wrong time or ineffectively, then it may be almost useless. This will only work for cavities like the roof and doesn’t offer an effective solution for subfloors.

There are also direct injection methods which are fine for cosmetic timbers, but it is not practical to individually fill every hole in structural timbers, many of which may be empty, though you could try.

In our experience DIY methods need frequent reapplication due to having no residual effect, and are limited int their use, and effectiveness. Borer poses a large risk to your home if not treated properly so consider carefully before you spend a lot of time, effort, and money on DIY treatment with less than satisfactory results.

Safety is always our top priority with treatments. The main measure we take with borer control is ensuring people and pets are excluded from treatment zones until product is dry. We will provide you with clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

For borer control access to the treatment areas will be needed, these most commonly being the roof cavity and/or subfloor. You and your pets will need to stay clear of the treated areas for 5 hours to allow for treatment and while product dries for your safety, though this isn’t usually much of a challenge for roof and subfloor spaces. We will work with you to make arrangements which are suitable and convenient to you.

We will need you to clear out any spaces to be treated to allow access to all exposed timber undergoing treatment. This means removing all items from your roof cavity, or subfloor in preparation for the treatment. Make plans for you and your pets to remain away from treated areas for 5 hours to allow for treatment and while product dries for your safety.

We will provide you clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

Reducing the risk of borer comes down to removing sources of borer or making timbers impenetrable to them. Keep non-treated timbers such as firewood away from your house, and certainly don’t store it under your house, as borer will happily come out of the wood and find a new home in the structural timbers of your sub floor. A more costly, and often impractical option is to replace the untreated structural timber with treated timber. This is what is done with structural timbe that has been weakened by borer. A borer treatment provides protection for untreated timbers without having to replace it, so is often the most desirable option.

Moist untreated timber and untreated native timbers, which are especially common in houses built before the 1970s, are ideal environments for borer larvae to hatch and spread. If you’re experiencing a borer attack, check your home for bare timber, sawn timber or any other wooden surface with signs of borer holes. You should always check firewood and wooden furniture, like chairs, dressers, and old bedframes for borer holes prior to being brought onto your property. Using these tips can help you stay safe, but if you’re under attack, don’t hesitate to contact Combat Pest Control and book your borer treatment now.

Carpet beetle and moth control requires the application of residual insecticides to all carpets with a focus on undisturbed areas behind and under furniture to interrupt movements, killing larvae and adult beetles. This will last the long periods required to kill larvae as they hatch from eggs that may be hidden low in the piles of carpet.

Carpet moth treatment involves the application of targeted measures to eliminate carpet beetle infestations and control clothes moth larvae. This specialised treatment aims to eradicate these pests from carpets and other textiles, preventing further damage.

Left uninterrupted carpet beetle larvae and carpet moths will chew away the base of carpet piles causing irreparable damage to your carpet. This will manifest as bald patches in the carpet, in areas with little or no foot traffic, behind and under furniture, in closets, and skirting boards. They can and will also eat other natural fibres putting clothing and other items at risk if left untreated.

For carpet beetle treatments we recommend you cover food or put it away in the pantry, i.e fruit bowls, cover any fish tanks too. Remove items from the floor where possible we will move larger furniture as required to get full floor coverage. Make plans for you and your pets to vacate the house for 5 hours to allow for treatment and while product dries for your safety. We will provide you with clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

For carpet beetle control we will require access inside your home to carry out the treatment. You and your pets will need to vacate the house for 5 hours to allow for treatment and while product dries for your safety. We will work with you to make arrangements which are suitable and convenient to you.

Varied carpet beetles are 1-2 millimetres in size, round, and black and white speckled though may just appear black. They will often appear on windowsills as they are attracted to the large source of light and will reappear shortly after when cleared away as they continue hatching from pupa.

Carpet moths or clothes moths look like a long grain of rice in their larval form and are found near areas of damaged carpet or clothing. The moths are small and brown/grey speckled.

Aging carpets, and furniture are attractive habitats for carpet beetles. Look also to any recent additions of second-hand furniture or furnishings to your home as a possible source too.

Carpet beetles feed on natural fibres such as wool, fur, silk, and feathers. They can cause damage to carpets, clothing, upholstery, and other textile materials by consuming these organic materials.

Carpet moth treatment focuses on eliminating carpet moths and preventing their feeding habits to protect your belongings.

Carpet beetles are indeed common in the Wellington region. These pests can be found in homes, particularly in areas where carpets and furniture are ageing. If your home has wool carpets and furnishings, it becomes even more attractive to these critters as they prefer natural wool fibres. Therefore, it is important to be vigilant and consider carpet moth treatment and carpet beetle treatments to address infestations and protect your belongings.

Carpet Beetles will continue to destroy your carpet, fabric furnishings, and clothing until you interrupt their bad behaviour. A few holes in clothing, or bare patches of carpet may be bearable if you can hide them. It is very likely before long a few holes will become many though. You will need to remove them at all stages of their lifecycle to be effective.

Expect your carpet beetle and moth control treatment to eliminate and protect you from carpet beetles and moths for 6 months or more. We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you free of carpet beetles.

Yes, it is possible to completely eliminate carpet beetles from your home. Professional carpet moth treatment and carpet beetle treatments are highly effective in eradicating the current infestation quickly and efficiently. These treatments target carpet moths and beetles at all stages of their life cycle, ensuring thorough elimination.

In addition to professional treatments, taking preventive measures can help prevent re-infestation. It is important to be vigilant when bringing second-hand furniture, furnishings, and clothing into your home, as they may harbour carpet beetles. Inspect these items thoroughly before introducing them into your living space.

Additionally, replacing old or worn carpets can help reduce the risk of carpet beetle infestation. By combining treatment and prevention strategies, you can achieve long-term control and eliminate carpet beetles from your home.

A case-bearing clothes moth, scientifically known as Tinea pellionella, is a species of moth that belongs to the Tineidae family. It is a common pest that infests clothing, carpets, upholstery, and other natural fibre materials. The name “case bearing” refers to the unique characteristic of the larvae of this moth, which construct protective cases using silk and fibres from the infested materials. It is possible to remove them from your property with a comprehensive carpet moth treatment.

Carpet beetles are unlikely to disappear without treatment. This answer will be different for everyone but the considerations are the same. How much do you want to remove carpet beetles from your home? How much time and money do you have to dedicate to this task? And how certain are you, you will be able to get a result based on the knowledge and product you have at hand? Take a look at the DIY question below to get an idea of what it will take.

To get the best relief from carpet beetles a professional treatment really is going to get the quickest results with complete elimination, and those results are guaranteed

DIY carpet beetle products can be effective if applied correctly, although in my experience they are often not applied well. They often have trouble eliminating the full lifecycle of the carpet beetle leaving behind the next generation of eggs to hatch and with them a reinfestation. These treatments involve the use of insecticides which have adverse effects to health if not used correctly, with proper precautions taken during and after treatment.

Even when applied in a professional manner DIY carpet beetle products will usually be effective for a shorter length of time than a professional treatment. In my experience DIY methods need frequent reapplication due to the lower volume of insecticide present in their solutions and generally are not strong enough. It is not uncommon to get called to do a carpet beetle control treatment where someone has spent a lot of time, effort, and money on DIY treatments with less than satisfactory results and ongoing damage of carpet and furnishings.

Regular vacuuming and cleaning removes beetles, larvae, and eggs. Carpet beetles are attracted to natural fibres, so synthetic fibre carpets will help prevent them, though replacing your carpet may not be practical or desired. Checking second-hand furniture, furnishings, and clothing before bringing it into your home is a good idea.

Safety is always our top priority with treatments. Some of the measures we take with carpet beetle control are selecting non-carcinogenic products, targeting product only at areas requiring treatment reducing unnecessary residual product stand down time, and ensuring people and pets are excluded from treatment zones until product is dry. We will provide you with clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

Expect your cockroach control treatment to quickly eliminate and protect you from cockroaches for 6 months or more. We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you ant free.

There are three main types of cockroaches we deal with here in Wellington. The two most common are Gisborne and native wood cockroaches. These guys live outside harbouring in gaps and crevices. Often, they will wander around inside to escape poor weather, or looking for a mate or suitable place to plant their ootheca/egg cases. When dealing with Gisborne and wood cockroaches we dust treat all gaps and crevices around the outside of the house, focusing on decking, fences, and gates close to the house

The third type are German cockroaches. These can be found infesting kitchens, living in breeding grounds behind appliances and in dark corners and crevices. To control German cockroaches, we need to hunt out there breeding grounds and apply baits and sprays in and around these areas.

We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you cockroach free.

I haven’t met anyone who likes seeing cockroaches in their home. Apart from preventing sightings which alone can be distressing, it is a good idea to get rid of cockroaches as they have been known to spread diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery, and salmonella. They will also stain surfaces with their droppings which are like fly spots.

Cockroaches aren’t known to causes a lot of damages, though they leave brown stained surfaces similar to fly spots which are left by their droppings. Also, with sufficient infestation they can crawl into electronics and electrics causing damage, think appliances like fridges.

Inside your home you may find German Cockroaches. These are to usually found in the kitchen hiding around small appliances and fridges, they often have a strong tangy odour.

Outside your home and sometimes inside you will find Gisborne cockroaches. These are large ugly bastards with white sides. These will appear randomly in any room of the house, usually near windows, or scurrying up a wall you can’t miss them

Native Wood cockroaches which are small and slightly translucent, they spend most of their time outside munching down on firewood piles and garden foliage.

For Gisborne and Native Wood cockroach control we will likely only require access to the outside of your home for an exterior treatment. For German cockroach control, an interior treatment is required, access inside your home will be needed for the treatment to be completed. For interior treatment, you and your pets will need to vacate the house for 5 hours to allow for treatment and while product dries for your safety. We will work with you to make arrangements which are suitable and convenient to you.

Gisborne and Native Wood cockroaches are commonly found making themselves at home in bushy areas, large gardens, the crevices of timber decks. You will often see them making their way out from under trellis or plants creeping up the walls of your house or garage.

German cockroaches aren’t attracted to particular areas, seldom able to live outside and make themselves at home inside. Often, they are transported from one location to another with food items or used kitchen appliances.

Although a few cockroaches may be bearable, why would you want to keep them around? They carry diseases, leave a mess, are generally unclean, and can cause damage to electronics and electrics in your home. Though, ultimately it is your choice if you want to live with roaches or not.

For Gisborne and Native Wood Cockroaches, ongoing maintenance will likely be required. These cockroach species are very resilient. Although the current infestation and the nest has been destroyed, there will be new populations of cockroaches which are likely to appear again over time. There are actions you can take to reduce the appeal of your home to cockroaches. Preventative treatments will be more effective and easier than dealing with a full infestation when a new population moves in.

German cockroaches can be completely eliminated quickly in a single treatment. Taking steps to prevent reinfestation such as being aware of what might be hitch hiking on second-hand appliances is key here.

Cockroaches are unlikely to disappear without treatment, so this answer will be different for everyone, but the considerations are the same. How much do you want to remove cockroaches from your home? How much time and money you have to dedicate to this task? And how certain are you, you will be able to get a result based on the knowledge and product you have at hand? Take a look at the DIY question below to get an idea of what it will take.

To get the best relief from cockroaches a professional treatment really is going to get the longest lasting results, and those results are guaranteed. 

How do you propose to kill something that can reportedly survive a nuclear apocalypse? DIY products can be effective to a limited extent if applied correctly although in our experience they are often not applied well as this is very difficult to achieve with these products even for a professional. Even when they are will usually be effective for a shorter length of time than a professional treatment. DIY methods need frequent reapplication due to the lower volume of insecticide present in their solutions.  

For Gisborne and Native wood cockroaches the trouble with DIY applications is getting sprays into the crevices to in high enough concentration to kill them. DIY sprays require direct contact with the cockroaches to kill them, and the combination of lower contact, lower concentration of active agents, and the fact they fade quickly becoming ineffective make this task extremely difficult.

German cockroaches, those nasty ones inside, quickly become spray resistant from misapplication and under dosing, which is common with weaker DIY sprays. They will repopulate quickly and be even harder to kill when they do. Incorrectly placed baits are completely ineffective, as they won’t even touch it. Additionally, as these sprays and baits are used indoors, they pose chemical exposure and poisoning risks for your family and pets if applied poorly and without proper precaution.

It is not uncommon for us to get called to a do a cockroach treatment where someone has spent a lot of time, effort, and money on DIY treatment with less than satisfactory results while still living with them.

Keeping your home clear of food sources, having food in sealed containers, cleaning up of food scraps, crumbs, and spills will all reduce the attractiveness of your home to cockroaches. Keeping clutter and foliage away from the house will help too.

Although none of these actions will kill or repel cockroaches long-term, they will help reduce the number of cockroaches in and around your home. Any action taken to reduce cockroach numbers will also boost the effectiveness of any treatment and may reduce the frequency of treatments required to remain cockroach free.

Gisborne and Native wood cockroaches spread from property to property. sightings often indicate a high population in your neighbourhood.

As German cockroaches don’t survive well outside due to our climate, they will show up when physically introduced to your home. Either by hiding in food items or used appliances.

Safety is always our top priority with treatments. Some of the measures we take with cockroach control are ensuring children and pets are excluded from treatment zones until product is dry, carefully placing baits only in non-accessible areas, and targeting nest sites so we are not using more product than is necessary which is taking care of our environment too. We will provide you with clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

There is usually no need for any preparation on your behalf for cockroach treatments, however if you are needing an interior treatment you will need to make plans for you and your pets to vacate the house for 5 hours to allow for treatment and while product dries for your safety. We will provide you clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

Cockroach infestations can be identified through several signs.

Look out for droppings that resemble black pepper or coffee grounds, strong musty odours, smear marks along walls or surfaces, discarded cockroach skins, or sightings of live cockroaches, especially during nighttime.

If you notice any of these indications, it’s advisable to seek professional cockroach pest control services for effective cockroach control.

Yes, outdoor cockroaches can find their way into homes through various entry points such as cracks in the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, vents, and plumbing pipes. Cockroaches hide under gaps in fences, decks, and weatherboards and will often create a cockroach nest in these kinds of habitats.

These resilient pests are adept at hiding and can squeeze through surprisingly small openings.
Proper sealing of potential entry points, along with comprehensive cockroach control measures, can help prevent outdoor cockroaches from infiltrating your living spaces.

Tidy up the bedroom(s) to be treated to allow us easy access to the mattress, bed base, remove items from the floor where possible, we will move larger furniture as required. Make plans for your family and pets to remain out of the bedroom(s) for 5 hours to allow for treatment and while product dries for your safety. We will provide you clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

Bed bugs won’t disappear without treatment. This answer will be different for everyone but the considerations are the same. How much you want to remove bedbugs from your home? How much time and money do you have to dedicate to this task? And how certain are you, you will be able to get a result based on the knowledge and product you have at hand? Take a look at the DIY question below to get an idea of what it will take.

To get the best relief from bed bugs a professional treatment really is going to get the longest lasting results, and those results are guaranteed. 

Flea control requires the application of residual insecticides to all floor surfaces and bed bases to interrupt flea movements, killing larvae and adult fleas. This will last the long periods required to kill larvae as they hatch from eggs that may be hidden low in the piles of carpet or in cracks in floors. Fleas travel on people and animals so a single effective treatment will permanently rid you of this pain.

Besides gaining relief from the itchiness of flea bites. Treating fleas is important as they simply will not go away by themselves. A flea infestation left unchecked can grow to the point where people may receive hundreds of bites rather than a few. Anyone visiting is at risk too. Not just from bites, but from the hitch-hiking nature of fleas. A problem in one home can quickly spread to others.

A flea infestation can have a big impact on your mental wellbeing too. The nature of a flea infestation can make it feel like they are everywhere especially if it has gone untreated for a long time.

For flea treatments we recommend you cover food or put it away in the pantry, i.e furit bowls, cover any fish tanks too. Remove items from the floor where possible we will move larger furniture as required to get full floor coverage. Make plans for you and your pets to vacate the house for 5 hours to allow for treatment and while product dries for your safety. We will provide you clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

For flea control we will require access inside your home to carry out the treatment. You and your pets will need to vacate the house for 5 hours to allow for treatment and while product dries for your safety. We will work with you to make arrangements which are suitable and convenient to you.

Fleas are possibly the planet’s best hitch-hikers. Think people, pets, households you have visited (especially with pets), recreation areas with long grass, and second-hand furniture and you will find your answer.

Unfortunately, fleas will find you anywhere in the Wellington region. Unsurprisingly fleas are potentially prevalent in any household with pets especially cats and dogs. Even without pets these can be picked up when visiting homes that do, or from long grass in local recreation areas as fleas will happily travel on human hosts too.

Besides gaining relief from the itchiness of flea bites. Treating fleas is important as they simply will not go away by themselves. A flea infestation left unchecked can grow to the point where people may receive hundreds of bites rather than a few.

With some pests we would say treatment is your choice. However, with fleas don’t play with fire, they aren’t going away. So, treat them as extremely hostile and get rid of them with a vengeance.

Expect your flea control treatment to eliminate and protect you permanently from the current infestation. We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you flea free.

Fleas can be completely eliminated quickly in a single treatment. Taking steps to prevent reinfestation such as flea treating animals or being aware of what might be hitch hiking people, animals, and second-hand furniture is key here.

Fleas are unlikely to disappear without treatment. This answer will be different for everyone but the considerations are the same. How much do you want to remove fleas from your home? How much time and money do you have to dedicate to this task? And how certain are you, you will be able to get a result based on the knowledge and product you have at hand? Take a look at the DIY question below to get an idea of what it will take.

To get the best relief from fleas a professional treatment really is going to get the quickest results with complete elimination, and those results are guaranteed

Flea bombs are the classic go-to for DIY flea treatments, sadly these usually produce sub-par results due to them not targeting the problem areas, as they spew insecticide everywhere except where it is needed, on the floor. They pose a high exposure risk for adults, children, and pets, even more so if you happen to be allergic to their contents, the results of this are not pretty.

When these flea bombs don’t work the first time, the fleas have now received a sublethal dose and will then display increased immunity to further attempts. It is important if you have used these we know, as even we will need to take a different approach to treating fleas exposed to a sublethal dose of the indiscriminate pesticides used inside flea bombs.

In our professional opinion DIY flea products are not just ineffective (like DIY products for other pests) but are dangerous. It is not uncommon for us to get called to a flea control treatment where someone has spent a lot of time, effort, and money on DIY treatments with less than satisfactory results. A lot more time suffering through those bites.

Treating pets with flea products. Regular vacuuming and cleaning removes fleas. Larvae, and eggs, as well as food sources such as dead skin. Checking second-hand furniture before bringing it into your home is a good idea. Also think twice before entering households know to have fleas, in fact you would be doing them a kindness by suggesting they have them treated now you know how.

Safety is always our top priority with treatments. Some of the measures we take with flea control are selecting non-carcinogenic products, targeting product only at areas requiring treatment reducing unnecessary residual product stand down time, and ensuring people and pets are excluded from treatment zones until product is dry. We will provide you with clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

Identifying a flea infestation typically involves looking out for certain signs. Most people assume fleas only come in with pets, and you should definitely check your pets for excessive scratching, flea dirt (black specks resembling pepper) in their fur, or small reddish bite marks on their skin. But you should also check your own skin for similar marks, paying particular attention to bites around your midriff, ankles, and wrists, as well as blood spotting and flea dirt in your bedding because flea infestations aren’t unique to people with pets.

Additionally, inspect your bedding and other areas of your home for flea eggs, larvae, or adult fleas. Fleas are small, fast-moving insects, so spotting them may require close observation. If you suspect a flea problem, it’s advisable to consult with a flea exterminator who can assess the situation and provide effective flea extermination solutions.

Fleas undergo a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The female flea lays eggs on the host animal, which then fall off and accumulate in the environment, such as carpets, bedding, or furniture.

The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on organic matter, including flea dirt and other debris. Larvae then spin cocoons and enter the pupal stage. After maturing inside the cocoon, adult fleas emerge and seek a host for blood meals.

The entire life cycle can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on environmental conditions. The resilient nature of flea eggs and pupae contributes to the persistence of flea infestations, requiring thorough and targeted flea extermination.

Controlling fleas on pets and in your home requires a comprehensive approach. Start by treating your pets with veterinarian-approved flea control products, such as topical treatments or oral medications.

Regularly wash your and your pet’s bedding and vacuum carpets, furniture, and other areas where fleas may hide. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately to prevent re-infestation. To thoroughly address the flea population in your home, you should contact your local flea extermination specialists at Combat Pest Control. We can help you get rid of a flea infestation quickly, safely, and effectively

Flea bites can cause discomfort and irritation to the skin. From a flea bite, you may experience intense itching, leading to skin inflammation and secondary infections from excessive scratching.

Cat fleas can also transmit diseases, such as tapeworms or certain bacterial infections. Additionally, flea bites can affect humans, causing itchy and inflamed skin lesions. Pet owners should take prompt action to address flea problems to minimise the risk of flea bites and potential health complications.

Consulting with a veterinarian and flea extermination professionals can help effectively manage flea infestations and protect the well-being of both pets and their owners.

Expect your fly control treatment to eliminate and protect you from flies for 6 months or more. We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you fly free.

A surface treatment on the areas flies like to land and rest will keep fly numbers down and kill off any strays.

This is done with a direct spray to their rest areas using a broad spectrum pyrethroid and synergist to block the immune response of the flies and ensure they don’t get back up.

We identify any sources of fly infestation, areas they feed and breed, in and around your home to provide recommendations for remedy or removal of these.

We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you fly free.

Safety is always our top priority with treatments. Some of the measures we take with fly control are ensuring children and pets are excluded from treatment zones until product is dry, applying product on out of reaches surfaces, and not using more product than is necessary which is taking care of our environment too. We will provide you with clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

For fly control we will require access inside your home to carry out the treatment. You and your pets will need to vacate the house for 5 hours to allow for treatment and while product dries for your safety. We will work with you to make arrangements which are suitable and convenient to you.

I haven’t met anyone who likes seeing flies in their home. Apart from preventing sightings and that constant buzzing noise, it is a good idea to get rid of flies as they have been known to spread diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery, and salmonella. Flies will quickly contaminate your food and also stain surfaces with their droppings, known as fly spots.

Although a few flies may be bearable, why would you want to keep them buzzing around constantly when they spread disease, contaminate food and stain your home with their poop?!

Small winter populations can quickly become large populations when summer rolls around. Prevention is always better to keep ahead of summer breeding rates. Ultimately it is your choice if you want to live with flies or not.

The best way to keep flies away long term is ongoing treatment. Having a strong, well applied insecticide will prevent flies from ever making your home their home. Removing major sources of attraction for flies will also be key to keeping flies out of your home.

Flies are unlikely to disappear without treatment. This answer will be different for everyone, but the considerations are the same. How much do you want to remove flies from your home? How much time and money do you have to dedicate to this task? And how certain are you, you will be able to get a result based on the knowledge and product you have at hand? Take a look at the DIY question below to get an idea of what it will take.

To get the best relief from fleas a professional treatment really is going to get the quickest results with complete elimination, and those results are guaranteed

Fly spray is the classic go-to for DIY fly treatments, so-much so that you probably don’t even think of it as DIY. It is probably so common to reach for a can of fly spray every time you hear a buzzing sound you don’t even think about the pesticide you are spraying into the air, and don’t give a second thought to the smell of it as you breath it in each time you spray the room. If you are old school with a spray can you have some control of this, if you have an automatic dispenser then this happens every thirty minutes or so. Other than the non-targeted and overuse of insecticide with these DIY methods, there is also the environmental impact from the waste of all those empty spray cans to consider.

Anyone who has watched a segment of Fair Go on the effectiveness of domestic fly sprays will see that many of them just put the flies to sleep for a while instead of killing them outright. DIY fly treatments may work, and you will likely have your own experience to go on here with respect to cost, effectiveness, and the effort of having to interrupt your current task to spray a fly when it appears or to replace another can in the dispenser.

In our professional opinion DIY fly products are commonly ineffective for control of more than the occasional fly. A professional surface treatment is long lasting, effective, maintenance free, and doesn’t carry the risk of inhaling insecticides every time there is a fly in the room. For more than a few flies, you can unknowingly spend a lot of time, effort, and money on DIY treatments with less than satisfactory results. A lot more time suffering through that annoying buzzing.

Cleanliness inside and outside your home is important for reducing flies. Locating compost heap, and gardens away from the house, cleaning up after pets, not leaving food out will help. Beyond this keeping your windows and doors closed at all times will stop them entering your home, though this is unlikely to be a desirable way to live.

For fly treatments we recommend you cover food or put it away in the pantry, i.e furit bowls, cover any fish tanks too. Make plans for you and your pets to vacate the house for 5 hours to allow for treatment and while product dries for your safety. We will provide you clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

Unfortunately, flies will find you anywhere in the Wellington region.

They are most attracted to homes with water leaks and easy food sources, pets, and compost. They love a sunny spot and will make their way inside in search of shelter in wet summer weather. Homes close to farms, or the sea may be further suspectable to fly populations as these environments support many more species.

Blue bottle blow flies and house Flies are the two most common fly species we see.

Blue bottles are a large slow-moving fly with a metallic blue abdomen. Whilst the house fly is small, black and fast moving. The house fly is the general culprit for all the nasty fly spotting on walls, door frames, lights etc. Some other species we may see are, tiny fruit flies, hover flies, and cluster flies.

Fly control is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy living environment. Flies, being common flying insects, can carry disease-causing pathogens on their bodies and contaminate surfaces and food.

By implementing effective fly control measures, such as fly treatment for the house, you can reduce the population of adult flies and prevent their reproduction. This helps minimise the risk of diseases transmitted by flies and ensures a hygienic and comfortable home.

Flies tend to rest on various surfaces within a house. They are commonly found perched on walls, ceilings, window sills, and even on furniture.

Flies prefer to rest in areas that are warm, protected, and close to potential food sources. It’s important to identify these resting spots during fly control treatments to target and eliminate them effectively.

Professional fly control services can help identify and treat these areas, reducing the presence of adult flies and preventing future infestations.

Taking preventive measures can help minimize fly infestations and attract fewer flies to your house.

First, ensure that your house is properly sealed, with no gaps or cracks that can serve as entry points for flies. Keep doors and windows screened to prevent their entry. Proper sanitation is also important as flies are attracted to food sources. In addition, moving your rubbish bins away from the house and ensuring you keep your pets clean and pick up after them are also crucial steps for preventing flies.

Make sure to clean up spills and crumbs promptly, store food in sealed containers (including pet food), and dispose of garbage regularly.

If you’re experiencing persistent fly problems, consider professional fly pest control services that can provide targeted treatments and long-term solutions to keep flies at bay.

A thorough search will be completed first to determine how the rodents are gaining access to your home and what other factors there may be contributing to the rodent issue.

We use rodenticide baits placed securely in locked bait stations in areas where rats and mice are frequenting.

In structural cavities such as roof spaces and sub floor areas where non target species can’t enter, we will tie baits securely in place.

We also have a humane rodent trapping service available if this is important to you.

Rat and Mice species are very common inside and outside homes in Wellington and the Hutt Valley. Bush areas are more susceptible to rats, while a city area will see mice more often.

Black rats (European rats) and mice are the usual culprits for all the noises in your roof at night. While mice are by far are the most common rodent found inside your living space, rats can sometimes find their way inside too.

Brown rats (Norway rats) are less common inside roof cavities as they love to tunnel. They are often found under a house or burrowing in gardens and compost bins.

Expect your rodent control treatment to eliminate and protect you from rodents for 6 months or more.

We provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you rodent free.

Increases in rat and mice populations around your home, new food sources outside (particular plants) or inside your home.

New access points for rodents, like holes left by cable installations, or even poor weather forcing them to seek shelter inside can all be reasons you are seeing rodents now.

Safety is always our top priority with treatments. Some of the measures we take with rodent control are placing baits securely in locked bait stations in areas potentially accessible to non-target species (pets, children, and wildlife). In structural cavities such as roof spaces and sub floor areas where non-target species can’t enter, we tie baits securely in place preventing rodents from dragging them into the open. Although not usually a concern with rodent control, we will provide you with clear direction as required as part of our safety-first approach.

For rodent control access inside your home will be needed for the treatment to be completed. We will also need access to your roof and subfloor cavities as rodents spend a lot of time here. We will work with you to make arrangements which are suitable and convenient to you.

For effective rodent treatment we will need access to the roof and subfloor areas of your home, please remove anything that make be blocking access to these areas. The more information we have about the population and their habits the better for ensuring correct bait placement. Droppings left behind and any observations (sighting or sounds and location) are helpful here. Although not usually a concern with rodent control, we will provide you with clear direction as required as part of our safety-first approach.

The highest rat populations are to be found in areas with large amounts of bush like Khandallah.

While Wellington city areas like Mt Victoria have the higher mouse populations.

Rodents spread disease getting into your food, also your pet’s food is well liked by rats and mice. All this contaminated food will need to be thrown away. Rats will at times bite both pets and humans leading to infections and requiring medical treatment.

Rodent urine will stain surfaces and leave a horrid smell that can take months to fade away.

When a hole is too small for rats and mice to fit through, they will make short work of increasing its size eating their way through walls, floors, and sometimes doors.

Rodents chew water pipes, leading to leaks and potential flooding in the house.

Power cables, network cables, and phone cables are all critical services rodents love to chew on too, which often causes faults to alarm systems, internet connections, central heating units, and can create a fire risk when damaging mains supply wiring.

In summary, both rats and mice are extremely dirty and destructive. They spread disease and sickness and will continue to destroy your home and belongings while they are still resident. We can’t think of a good reason to keep them around.

Rodents are very resilient, although the current invaders have been eliminated, there will be new populations of rodents which are likely to appear again over time. There are actions you can take to reduce the appeal of your home to rodents and make access more difficult. Preventative treatments will always be more effective, and easier than dealing with a full infestation when a new population moves in. We provide information specific to your home on preventive measures as part of treatment.

Rats and mice are unlikely to disappear without treatment. This answer will be different for everyone, but the considerations are the same. How much do you want to remove rodents from your home? How much time and money do you have to dedicate to this task? And how certain are you, you will be able to get a result based on the knowledge and product you have at hand? Take a look at the DIY question below to get an idea of what it will take.

To get the best relief from rodents a professional treatment really is going to get the quickest and longest lasting results, and those results are guaranteed.

DIY rodent products can certainly be effective short-term if applied correctly, although in our experience they are often not applied well, with baits only ever stunting the rodent activity rather than eliminating it. Incorrect application often leads to bait shyness where rodents avoid the bait altogether. Think about the last time you ate something that made you sick (but didn’t kill you).

Poorly located traps are often ineffective at interrupting rodent activity, or too few are used to reduce the population. We even have many customers who haven’t thought ahead to whether they actually want to remove dead rat bodies from traps.  Poor location of baits is equally ineffective and can have adverse effects to health (poisoning) when rodents drag them away into accessible locations for pets and children.

Even when applied in a professional manner DIY rodent products will usually be effective for a much shorter length of time than a professional treatment. In our experience DIY methods need frequent upkeep with baiting or trap clearing/resetting. To get long lasting results with DIY products takes much more bait than most people realise and often results in spiralling cost as rodent populations grow from ineffective baiting and trapping. It is not uncommon for us to get called to a do a rodent control treatment where someone has spent a lot of time, effort, and money on DIY treatments with less than satisfactory results.

Keeping your home clear of food sources, having food in sealed containers, cleaning of food scraps and crumbs and spills will reduce the attractiveness of your home for rats and mice.

Keeping clutter and foliage away from the house will help to, especially tree branches overhanging the roof, rodents will climb the trees and easily gain access to your home from the roof. Look for holes in your house cladding, or under weather boards, including where cables or pipes enter your house and look to block up those gaps to prevent access. If you already have rodent problems, it is best to perform proofing after treatment, as by removing access you are also trapping rodents inside your home.

Any action taken to reduce rodent numbers will also boost the effectiveness of any treatment and may reduce the frequency of treatments required to remain rodent free.

We will remove any rodent bodies we find on site at the time of treatment, including from any existing traps. We will also return to remove any rodents which die inside the house as a result of treatment. Don’t worry, in most cases rodents don’t die inside the house so will only be required on occasion.

We can also provide proofing options based on assessment. As with all our treatments we provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you rodent free.

Identifying a rat or mouse infestation requires thorough inspection and awareness of the signs of rodent activity. Look for rodent droppings, especially near food sources, behind refrigerators, and on top of dishwashers, or in secluded areas such as attics, basements, or crawl spaces.

You may also notice gnaw marks on furniture, doors or other objects, and leaky water pipes and water damage in your home. Scratching noises coming from walls or ceilings, particularly during the night, can be indicative of rodent presence.

If you suspect a rodent problem, it is crucial to contact a professional rat control team to conduct a thorough inspection and develop an effective strategy for eliminating the infestation.

Rats and mice can pose serious risks to both human health and property. They can contaminate food and water sources with their droppings, urine, and hair, potentially leading to the spread of diseases.

Also, rodents are known to cause damage by gnawing on water pipes and causing water damage to your home.

In addition to the health risks and property damage, rats and mice can also harm native birds, native trees, and native invertebrates, posing a threat to local ecosystems.

If you suspect a rat or mouse infestation, it is important to prioritise prompt rat control measures to mitigate these risks.

Professional rat control services are essential for effectively eliminating rat infestations. Rats are intelligent and resourceful creatures, making them a difficult task for homeowners to handle on their own.

Our mice extermination and rat extermination team has the knowledge, experience, and tools to conduct a thorough inspection, identify entry points, and develop a targeted approach to eliminate the infestation.

They may utilise bait stations, traps, or other proven methods of rat and mice control and prevent future infestations. If you’re facing a rat problem, don’t hesitate to contact a reputable pest control team specialising in rat eradication and enjoy a rat-free environment.

Common rodents, such as house mice and rats, can pose serious health risks and require effective rodent control services in Wellington to address them.

House mice, known for their ability to breed rapidly, can contaminate food sources with their droppings and urine, potentially transmitting diseases to humans. They can also cause damage to property by gnawing on wires, insulation, and furniture.

Rats, on the other hand, are larger and more destructive. They are carriers of various pathogens and parasites that can be harmful to humans, including bacteria-causing diseases like leptospirosis and salmonellosis.

These rats can also damage buildings, pipes, and other infrastructure through their burrowing activities, so it’s important to not wait to contact a professional rat exterminator.

To mitigate the serious health risks associated with common rodents like house mice and rats, it is crucial to enlist the help of professional rodent control services in Wellington. Our rat control experts have the knowledge, experience, and tools to identify the rodent species, assess the extent of the infestation, and develop a targeted approach for rat eradication.

Through effective rat control, such as trapping, baiting, and exclusion techniques, they can eliminate the rodent population and implement preventive measures to minimise future infestations.

By choosing our specialised Wellington rodent control services, you can protect yourself, your family, and your property from the detrimental effects of these common rodents.

Most homes would need retreating every 6 months as products break down due to many environmental factors.

Although the product may still be killing spiders after 6 months it will be much slower and won’t have any repellent properties after that period. Avoiding wet washing your house after a treatment will prolong the effectiveness of the product. Also removing clutter around the property and foliage close to the house will reduce the cover for new spiders looking to move in.

We are lucky that we do not have species of spiders that are life threatening, as their venom is not overly toxic to us. However, spider bites are still often painful accompanied with inflammation and can cause infection, fever, dizziness, nausea and headaches depending on the species, white tails being the most well-known.

The top three most dangerous spiders in New Zealand are the Australian Redback (Latrodectus hasselti), Katipo (Latrodectus katipo), and White Tail (Lampona cylindrata, Lampona murina) spiders. Dangerous is an interesting term here as overall they are generally not going to do you much harm, the Australian Redback and Katipo although capable of causing you harm are extremely rare in urban environments so you are unlikely to encounter them at all, in fact the Katipo is an endangered species. The White Tail spider may cause pain or illness with its bite, and only makes this list at number three as there are so many you have a much higher chance of being bitten by one, even though effects are likely to be mild or none at all.

Spider webs around your home are particularly unsightly. Spiders often create this distressing mess around windows and doors, and up high in difficult to reach places like on the ceiling in the corner of the room or around light fixtures inside your home.

Outside the home the is no limit to where and they will build their webs, covering the cladding and windows, exterior light fixtures, even up high under the eaves. The worst part is even if you clean them off, they will quickly appear again, often the next day.

Cobwebs beyond being a cosmetic nuisance can also interfere with motion sensors of security systems and some smoke detectors causing false alarms. Their webs will impair the view of security cameras and I’m sure you’re already familiar with those wing mirror spiders which impair your view while driving, or the need to remove the webs constantly. We can take care of those too.

Other than being unsightly, icky, and a nuisance it is unlikely spiders will do any real damage to your home.

The best way to keep spider’s away long term. Is ongoing treatment. Having a strong, well applied insecticide will prevent spiders from ever making your home their home.

The answer to this will be different for everyone but the considerations are the same. How much you want remove spiders from your home, how much time and money you have to dedicate to this task, and how certain you are you will be able to get a result based on the knowledge and product you have at hand. Take a look at the DIY question below to get an idea of what it will take.

To get the best relief from spiders a professional treatment really is going to get the longest lasting results, and those results are guaranteed.

While we Wellingtonians, like most New Zealanders have a massive assortment of spiders (Araneae) living in our region most of them will go unnoticed. The exceptions being arachnid species that either live in our homes or in close proximity to it.

The most common spiders seen inside will be Daddy long leg spiders which will take up long term residence in the corners of rooms at roof level and sometimes in cupboards and wardrobes. Others will be vagrant type spiders, such as white tails and jumping spiders they travel a lot as they are active hunters. Less common are tunnel web spiders, sheet web spiders and nursery web spiders. These will venture inside often to escape poor weather.

There are high spider populations throughout Wellington, Hutt valley, Porirua, Kapiti, and Wairarapa.

Any buildings that are out in open areas will catch more wind-blown spiders. And may appear to be in an area with higher spider populations. This happens often in rural properties where houses are surround by open fields. Homes surrounded by bush and trees will see a lot more spiders than an apartment building for example. There are too many Arachnid species to count, and they are simply everywhere.

Living in Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Eastbourne, or Wainuiomata some of the most common spider species living around your home are grey and black house spiders, these are the culprits for building webs around window frames and around your wing mirrors on your car.

Another common spider is the white tail spider, as active hunters they are moving around more than other species so they tend to be seen more often. You will see a lot more of these spider species in the Hutt Valley as they tend to prefer the bushy environment. Sheet Web and Nursery Web spiders are also seen often throughout the Hutt Valley.

If you are in the central Wellington CBD area it will be different as you’re going to see less spiders overall. The most common inner city spider specie is likely to be daddy long leg spider.

If you are in an apartment or office building the higher up you are the less spiders you will see.

Living in the outer suburbs of Wellington City, such as Karori, Khandallah, and Miramar with house located on hilly areas surrounded by bushy areas and reserves you will come across many of the bush loving spider species mention above.

Living in areas north of Wellington City like Newlands, Tawa, and Porirua you will be seeing many of the same arachnid species as the Hutt valley and the outer Wellington city suburbs. Like most other parts of Wellington there’s lots of trees and bushes around them and they’re going to have very similar species of spider. If you are much closer to large patches of bush like reserves, you’re going to see larger species of spider like Sheet Web and Nursery Web spiders. All of those regions are quite similar in environment.

Moving even further north to the Wairarapa, it a hotter drier climate so you’re going to see less of those bush type spiders here and you will see higher numbers of the grey house spiders and black house spiders as they can be more versatile in this environment. Wherever there are high numbers of these spiders there will subsequently be high numbers of White Tail spiders too as they frequently hunt them, so these house spiders give them a plentiful food source.
Living on the Kapiti coast you will experience a similar climate to the Wairarapa so once again we will see a lot less bush type spiders, while black and grey house spiders and the white tails that prey on them will be prolific in this area too.

For a lot of people spiders are just another thing we live with and are worth having around. Afterall, they catch flies and other bugs, but certainly not all of them. They also play an important part in local ecosystems as tasty morsels for birds and even other spiders.

Whilst some people will be stricken with fear at just the thought of a spider, Arachnophobia is not the only reason we call spiders a pest though. There is also the cosmetic side of having spiders around and the things they can interfere with. Spider webs covering your home are unsightly and they can cause issues with security cameras blocking the camera view with webs. Even some faults in smoke detectors can be attributed to tiny spiders making themselves at home inside them.

We have got a few spiders from our neighbours in Australia and even our native Tunnel Webs look a lot like the Sydney Funnel Web which is extremely dangerous. Though, in Wellington we are lucky we haven’t inherited their deadly spiders. This isn’t to say there is no risk from what we have here, we can however say the danger of a spider bite is low.

Thousands of species can inflict bites to humans and will do so when defending themselves. Spider bites happen when we handle spiders, they get stuck in our clothing, or when we roll over on them in our sleep. Bites aren’t always painful at the time, but the list of symptoms can be long; minor swelling and itchiness, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and infected sores. Although less common, in some cases these sores are further infected becoming necrotic.
Ultimately it is your choice if you want to live with spiders or not.

We always use a careful selection of treatment agents and the correct application methods to ensure every treatment is safe for people, children, and pets while being effective at eliminating pests.

For spiders that are causing you problems outside, my approach is to spray with a residual insecticide, wall claddings, door and window frames, eaves, spouting, decks, attached fencing and gates, anywhere the spiders will travel or have already made webs.

When spiders contact these areas it will quickly kill them, removing spiders from your home.
When vagrant spiders are seen inside frequently. A repellent insecticide treatment is the best. This is applied to areas that spiders would have to cross to get into the living space. For example. Windowsills, door frames, skirtings, scotia, recessed light fittings, etc. This also great at repelling other crawling bugs as well as spiders. This will quickly remove spider from your sight inside your home driving them outside where contact with the exterior treatment will make short work of them.
Exterminating the spiders and removing them from your home is only part of the job. During the time they have been resident they will likely have left many unsightly cobwebs so we can remove them for you too, and you can soon forget the spiders were ever there.

A spider treatment can be expected to be effective for 6 months, sometimes more. While we are on site, we will take a look at anything else that can be done and advise you on how to make your home less attractive to spiders.

Exterminating the spiders and removing them from your home is only part of the job.

During the time they have been resident they will likely have left many unsightly cobwebs so we can remove them for you too, and you can soon forget the spiders were ever there.

DIY products can certainly be effective if applied correctly although in my experience they are often not applied well, and even when they are will usually be effective for a shorter length of time than a professional treatment. In my experience DIY methods need frequent reapplication due to the lower volume of insecticide present in their solutions and where repellent properties are needed the common DIY products generally are not strong enough. It is not uncommon for us to get called to a do a spider treatment where someone has spent a lot of time, effort, and money on DIY treatment with less than satisfactory results.

Regular house washing will reduce spider numbers as it destroys their webs and can physically kill them. Keeping clutter and foliage away from the house will help to. Any light source at night will attract flying insects and in turn, attract spiders that will build webs around and near the light source. Although none of these actions will kill or repel spiders long-term they will help reduce the number of spiders entering your house. With the exception of house washing after an applied spider treatment, any action taken to reduce spider numbers will also boost the effectiveness of any treatment and may reduce the frequency of treatments required to remain spider free.

Professional spider pest control services play a crucial role in effectively managing spider infestations.

Our experts are equipped with the knowledge and tools to identify spider species, assess the extent of the infestation, and determine the most suitable treatment methods. Through targeted spraying for spiders, they can create a barrier that helps prevent spiders from entering your property or eliminates existing populations.

By focusing on common areas where spiders hide, such as window and door frames, they can reduce the spider population and minimize their presence. Professional spider control ensures thorough coverage and long-lasting results, providing you with peace of mind and a spider-free environment.

White-tailed spiders are a common spider species found in residential areas.

Redback spiders, known for their distinctive red marking on the female’s abdomen, prefer sheltered outdoor locations such as sheds, garages, and under eaves.

They can also establish their webs in dark corners or crevices indoors. White-tailed spiders are known to be active hunters and can be found both indoors and outdoors.

They are often attracted to other insects as their primary prey. While both redback spiders and white-tailed spiders can bite humans, causing discomfort and potential health issues, professional spider treatment can help control and manage their populations effectively.

Yes, spiders play a vital role in controlling other insect populations. Many spiders, including wolf spiders, are natural predators of various insects. They help maintain a balanced ecosystem by feeding on flies, mosquitoes, moths, and other small insects.

Spiders are often considered beneficial as they contribute to reducing the population of nuisance pests. However, there aren’t enough spiders in the home to help manage insect populations and spider control that is properly applied around your house won’t harm spiders in the wider environment.

A professional spider control specialist will be able to strike a balance between the benefits of natural spider pest control and the need for spider management in specific situations.

Dealing with wasps is always a serious affair. Even a small nest approached in the wrong way can result in life threating stings. Before treating a wasp issue, we first determine if there is any risk to people or pets in the surrounding area, treatment will only proceed once we can ensure the nest can be safely treated. We inject an insecticide dust directly into the nest. This kills any wasps inside the nest and any returning from their daily tasks.

We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations and maintain the results of the treatment to keep you wasp free.

Yes, safety is always our top priority with treatments. The treatment uses a dust that targets the nest specifically, it remains in the nest to ensure it kills off the all the wasps as they return to the nest, not just those inside at the time of treatment. For your safety, you will need to remain away from the nest for a while as the wasps may swarm and be more agitated for obvious reasons. We will provide you with clear direction on this as part of our safety-first approach.

Stay away from the nest, don’t do anything to disturb the nest or anything around it. Don’t be tempted to apply any products as this can aggravate the wasps or change their behaviour making treatment difficult. After treatment people and pets will need to stay away from the nest area for a while to avoid being stung, destroying the nest makes wasps a little confused and angry.

Congratulations! Your house is in an area that is close to a food source, and a queen thinks it looks pretty sweet. Therefore, they have found a hole in the ground or building structure nearby they think is suitable for a nest. Summer always comes with perfect conditions, being dry with warm temperatures and plentiful food sources. Prompt treatment will stop them becoming established and growing, making the treat they pose so much worse.

For wasp control we will only require access to the location of the nest. In most cases this is the exterior of your home, or at least the nest entrance is, and we will only need access to the outside property. For nests located inside such as a roof a cavity access inside your home will be needed for the treatment to be completed. We will be able to advise what access is required upon booking. We will work with you to make arrangements which are suitable and convenient to you.

You will commonly find wasps on farms, in suburbs, and in bush areas. They have preference for areas sheltered from wind and will build nest near food sources, though not necessarily too close to it. This means a food source nearby at your neighbour’s property may lead to them setting up home at your place.

The longer a nest is left active the bigger it gets, the larger the wasp population gets, growing in aggression and the higher the chance of someone being attacked. Whilst a lot of people will be lucky to get away with a few painful stings, there are many who won’t be so lucky and even one sting could be fatal.

Although not generally known for causing damage, wasps nesting in a wall cavity can eat through the wall or ceiling Gib board, they clear the gib out of the way to make room for the nest. For outside nests, if large enough, they can undermine the structure of a dirt bank.

The sooner wasp nests are dealt with the better. The longer a nest is left active the bigger it gets, the larger the wasp population gets, growing in aggression and the higher the chance of someone being attacked. Whilst a lot of people will be lucky to get away with a few painful stings, there are many who won’t be so lucky and even one sting could be fatal.

Expect your wasp control treatment to protect you and completely eliminate all wasps within a single nest We also provide you with specific information and tips based on our observations to reduce future infestations.

You can certainly eliminate all present nests. This will remove the current populations of wasps from your property. A new population of wasps could move back in at anytime, building another nest. We can provide treatments to prevent them returning to build nests inside or outside your house, similar to that used for spider and flies. Garden nests are impossible to prevent, but these can be treated early, before they grow too big, reducing the implications of aggressive wasps.

Wasps may disappear without treatment during colder months, but recent winters have been so mild we have seen them surviving though to become even larger nests come spring. so, this answer will be different for everyone, but the considerations are the same. How quickly do you want to remove wasps from your home? How much time and money you have to dedicate to this task? And how certain are you, you will be able to get a result based on the knowledge and product you have at hand? Take a look at the DIY question below to get an idea of what it will take.

To get the best relief from wasps a professional treatment really is going to get the quickest first-time results, and those results are guaranteed. 

DIY Products can work if correctly applied to a nest. It just comes with a very high chance of getting stung several times over.

Both European and German wasps will build their nest on the outside of your home, or even inside structures such as roof and wall cavities. German wasps are much more aggressive and will chase you 50-60 metres to protect their nest.

There are certain plants and foliage like Camelia trees, lemon trees and German ivy around a house which are attractive to wasps which you could remove, though these can be a problem even if they are not on your property, but are present on a property nearby, wasps will commonly fly around 200meters from their nest. Though they can travel more than a kilometre depending on food availability. in search of food sources. You can stop wasps accessing your home with the use of fly screens, though this won’t remove the source of them, and you will be at the same risk outside, especially if a nest is growing.

Wasps will be a problem even if they aren’t on your property but a neighbouring one. You can reduce the impact from them by alerting neighbours if you see next forming on their property, smaller is always better to deal with while the wasps are less aggressive.

We can remove dead nests where required, for some people this provides additional peace of mind.

Our professional wasp removal services are essential for effectively dealing with wasp nests. Wasps, especially aggressive species like the German wasp, Australian paper wasp, and European wasps, can pose a significant threat to humans and animals due to their painful stings.

Wasp removal can be a hazardous task without the proper knowledge and equipment. Our wasp exterminators have the expertise to identify and locate wasp nests, safely remove them, and eliminate the wasp population.

We use safe wasp extermination methods to ensure the protection of both you and the surrounding environment. Working with our wasp removal professionals guarantees a thorough and secure solution to your wasp problem.

Yes, wasp nests can pose a danger to native birds and insects. Wasps are known to prey on other insects, including native insects that are crucial to the ecosystem.

Aggressive species such as the European wasp and Asian paper wasp can impact native insect populations, disrupting the natural balance. Additionally, wasp nests may be built near or within bird habitats, making it risky for native birds and their young.

To preserve the ecological balance and protect native wildlife, timely wasp nest removal is important. Our professional wasp extermination services can help eliminate the threat posed by wasp nests, ensuring the safety and well-being of both native birds and insects.

If you experience a wasp sting, it’s important to clean the affected area with soap and water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain. For individuals who are allergic or have severe reactions to wasp stings, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial.

When it comes to dealing with wasp nests, professional wasp extermination is necessary when the nests are in close proximity to human activity areas, such as homes, gardens, or recreational spaces.

The presence of aggressive wasp species like the common wasp or German wasp, or the existence of multiple nests, can significantly increase the risk of stings and pose a threat to human safety.

Using our professional wasp nest removal and extermination services ensures a comprehensive and safe solution to your wasp problem.