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Every homeowner in Australia knows how stressful it is to experience a pest invasion, especially if it involves colonies of ants. They tend to wreak havoc on properties by going through your kitchen, destroying your garden, and affecting your quality of living.

Besides giving you a hard time maintaining the cleanliness and safety of your house, ants can also affect your health and cause itchiness, a stinging sensation, and leave bite marks on your skin. As it can be tough to deal with them on your own, calling for ant pest control services may be the best solution to managing your infestation problems.

But if your pest problem can’t wait and you need to take care of it now before it gets worse, you should take the matter into your hands and learn to deal with the ants in your own ways. Keep reading below to find out how to get rid of the ants to prevent them from invading your home.

You Could Use Baking Soda

One of the most convenient and well-known solutions for preventing insects from trying to get inside your home is by using baking soda. You can usually find it in groceries and stores to apply not only for your baking and cooking needs but also to manage pesky pests.

All you have to do is combine baking soda and powdered sugar to turn it into bait for the ants. When you place them in the right location where you usually see a colony of ants, they will mistake the trick for just sugar. Once they consume the mixture, their bodies will react negatively to the baking soda and kill them, eventually solving your pest problem.

You Could Apply Borax

In the event that you run out of baking soda at home or you can’t find them in shops nearby, you could opt for borax instead. You can create a solution consisting of borax, water, and powdered sugar to achieve a kind of paste that will lure ants into eating the bait due to its sweet texture.

Similar to the effects of utilising baking soda, the borax solution can also damage the ants’ digestive system and eliminate them on the spot. However, make sure that the ingredients you combine all contain equal portions so that it will work to remove ants from your property effectively.

You Could Utilize Chalk

An essential way to take care of your ant situation without requiring the help of a pest exterminator is chalk—a product which teachers use to write on blackboards. Chalk serves as an effective repellent against ants that have found their way into your home.

You can simply use the chalk to draw a line where you usually find them, such as kitchen cupboards, countertops, and pantries. Because of the chalk’s powdery components, it erases the pheromone trail the insects leave behind to let each other know where the food is, preventing them from invading your home and causing a mess in your kitchen.

Conclusion

After you have exhausted all your means of controlling your ant problems using baking soda, borax, or chalk and the ants still seem to keep coming and entering your property, you may need to call for backup. Contacting professional pest solutions is necessary because they have the expertise, skills, and products to manage all kinds of pests, including relentless ants, from damaging your property.

Are you looking for residential pest control services for your ant problem? CROSSFIRE Pest Solutions offers pest control services for homes and commercial establishments in Croydon, NSW. Get in touch with us today to request an inspection!

Protecting your home from any infestation should be included in your top priorities. There’s nothing more heartbreaking to see mice and termites gnawing at the structure of the house you’ve spent hard-earned money to build and maintain. Homeowners might need to spend a large sum not only to get rid of the infestation, but also to repair or replace damaged property.

There are three Ds to remember when it comes to pest infestation: dirty, disease and damaging. 

All these apply to mice and rats wreaking havoc on your property. These two disastrous critters are some of the most common pests around, and it’s imperative to get rid of them to save your property and avoid health risks.

Why Do We Need to Get Rid of Rodents?

When you suspect that rodents are starting to infest your home, prompt action should be taken. A rodent issue can lead to health concerns and adverse effects on the property. Their droppings can also pose dangers in case you have physical contact with them.

What Are the Common Diseases Caused by Rodents?

Rodents are creatures that pose several health risks. They are good at hiding, making them more dangerous since you aren’t sure where they’re nesting. 

See below the common diseases that rodents can transmit:

• Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
• Leptospirosis
• Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
• Lassa Fever
• Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM)
• Plague
• Rat Bite fever
• Salmonellosis
• Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever
• South American Arenaviruses

Most of the diseases listed above may not be common in Australia. However, since we are a multicultural country, these diseases can also occur.

Are There Diseases That Droppings Can Spread?

The droppings of rodents can cause tularemia, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Leptospirosis, Rat Bite Fever, Salmonellosis and Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis.

Rodent’s droppings must be removed immediately for sanitary purposes. Use gloves when doing this, and make sure to discard all the materials used in collecting the droppings. Put the droppings in a resealable bag and dispose of them immediately. 

There is also a risk of getting airborne diseases when a rodent’s droppings and urine contaminate the dust and other items in your home. Thus, you need to keep your home clean and sanitised.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

To get rid of rodent infestation and contamination, make sure to clean up their droppings and air out the room to eliminate the smell. Wear protective gear when cleaning and wash your hands with soap and water right after. Keeping your home clean is the primary defence against any infestation. 

Conclusion

Keeping your home free from any pest infestation will help you save money and keep your family healthy. However, there are times that no matter how you try to clean your home, the risk of infestation is still there. We recommend getting the assistance of pest control professionals to get rid of the infestation. They will do the job of cleaning up droppings and sealing any possible entry for rodents and other pests. On top of this, they will provide you with valuable advice on how to keep your property rodent-free.

Protect your home from harmful pests with the help of reliable pest control services in Sydney. CROSSFIRE Pest Solutions are experts in taking care of the situation at your home. Call us today!

Mice can bring danger to your health and property. They may look cute, but they can be hazardous, dirty, and destructive to any home. They carry numerous diseases that can be hazardous to everyone in your home. The worst part of a mouse infestation is that the rodents can multiply fast. 

To avoid mice in your home, you need to recognise their presence as early as you can. Here are some signs to help you identify their company early:

1: You hear scratching or scrabbling noises at night

Mice are tiny creatures that pass through small holes in various parts of the house. Hearing a noise coming from your ceiling, walls, floors, or other parts of your home indicates the presence of a mouse. Usually, you might hear scratches or scampering noises at night since they are nocturnal animals.

2: Some house items have holes, tears, and teeth marks

A mouse loves to gnaw holes of different sizes. Their teeth continuously grow, which they need to file down by chewing. They also use the gnawed parts as part of their nest. They may also chew on your bedding, clothing, and other household items. They even chew on wires, which could potentially cause a fire hazard.

3: There are scattered droppings 

Another noticeable sign of a mouse infestation is seeing droppings near their nesting areas. These are the tiny, black, and cylindrical in shape droppings that look like tiny rice grains. The droppings also help you assess how many of them are present in your house. The feces can also help you determine the species. 

Usually, droppings that are less than 5-7 mm and have pointed ends are from mice, but if you see larger droppings, that could come from rats. When droppings are in varying sizes, that could mean there are both adults and young mice inside your house, indicating that they are breeding. 

Use the droppings as your clue to finding where they are hiding, as these droppings are typically right next to their hiding spots. Make sure to dispose of the droppings safely. You should wear protective gloves and pick them up carefully to avoid exposure to various pathogens. 

4: You smell a distinct odour coming from a specific area

Rodent urine has a distinct smell that is almost always noticeable—especially if the infestation is out of control. The mice use the scent to establish their territory, so you might smell it in enclosed areas, such as the cabinets, pantries, or drawers. 

5: You notice potential nests they use for breeding

If you start to see different materials such as shredded paper, string, textiles, and other soft materials in random corners in the house, those might indicate nests that the mice build for reproduction. They love dark corners, such as under the stoves, inside the wall cavities, the ceiling, and even floorboards. Make sure to do a thorough inspection to learn where they hide and breed. 

Conclusion

A mouse might look cute, but not until they infest your home. Make sure to observe the signs early on before they fully invade your property. The sooner you know about them—what type of rodent you are dealing with, their activity, and what brought them to your home—the faster and more successfully you can eliminate them. 

Should you see any of the signs above, call professional pest solutions right away. They would make sure to address your pest problems effectively. If you are in the NSW area, CROSSFIRE is a trusted and reliable Sydney pest control company. We provide free inspections, conduct client consultations and pest treatment. Contact us today if you need our service. 

This March marks another autumn season in Sydney and the rest of the country, which means every homeowner should prepare for the chilly winter months. Most people have misconceptions that the pests only come out to play during warmer seasons like summer and spring. But cold seasons like autumn and winter bring about their own batch of home-destroying pests. Here are the common crawlers that you might find during this season:

4 Pesky Pests During Autumn Season

1. Termites

Termites may be the last bugs you’d expect in a list of autumn pests. While it is true that most termite species thrive in warmer weather, there are subterranean varieties that pop out in cooler temperatures.

Termites are known to destroy wood structures that hold your house together. Any damage they cause may weaken your home’s foundations or walls. If you don’t get rid of them immediately, you might end up paying thousands of dollars for home repairs after a couple of months.

2. Snails and Slugs

While these slimy creatures may not be harmful to your home or most residents, they do tend to feed on house plants and homegrown crops. They can also be a nuisance in the home if you have a young baby or toddler running around putting things in their mouth. Your kids may mistakenly pick them up and play with them. This may lead to infections and other health issues.

Since these creatures are harmless by nature, you can just easily scoop them up from the floor or walls and leave them outside in the garden. You can also leave coffee grounds in your garden to keep them away without hurting them.

3. Rodents

With the cold weather starting to set in, many creatures are looking for shelter. Rats, known carriers of disease and destroyers of home fixtures, may find their way inside your home, running around the walls and scurrying on the floors at night. They also find their way into pantries and drawers, contaminating your food. 

Setting a few traps without using poison can help with your rat problem but may not be effective if there’s more than one to worry about. Rats reproduce quickly and in large numbers. The best way to deal with an infestation would be to call for exterminators.

4. Cockroaches

Cockroaches are common pests year-round, but they are pretty active in the fall. They can adapt to any environment, so don’t think that your troubles are over just because summer has ended. Much like rats, cockroaches reproduce fast and contaminate your food with various diseases. 

Conclusion

With these pests entering homes every season, you need to make sure that you don’t have them in your house. Some of these pests can seriously damage your home, and others can carry disease, which can jeopardise your health and the health of your family. Make sure to keep an eye out for them and call professional services if needed.

Protect your home from insects and harmful pests this season by hiring the top-notch pest control services in Sydney. Crossfire Pest Solutions are professional exterminators that can take care of the situation at your home. With services suitable for residential and commercial pest control, we will do a ridiculously thorough sweep of your home to get rid of pesky bugs and rats. Call us today!

The house is your safe place—it has given you peace, offered you comfort, and sheltered you from harm. Amidst turmoil and disarray, the walls stand tall to block out the danger, the roof remains sturdy to shield you from hazards, and the door keeps shut to guard you against peril. Even though you greatly depend on your house for protection, what if this time, it’s your house that needs protecting?

Yes, a house can protect you from storms and global pandemics, but it isn’t invincible. Your house is continuously exposed to various environmental elements—it’s only a matter of time until cracks form and water starts to leak. A house only seems indestructible until you notice the damage.

Termites—Small but Terrible

When compared to your house, a termite can seem harmless—even insignificant. But when these tiny pests band together, they can cause a whole lot of damage that will cost a whole lot of money! If you’re not vigilant enough, termites could gather enough time to chew through your entire house, whether it be wood, flooring, or wallpaper.

There are two types of termites that homeowners should watch out for:

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites infest dry wood and don’t need contact with soil. They not only attack your roof materials and wooden wall supports but also your furniture, wood flooring, and frames. This type of termite is usually pale brown but can also be dark brown or light yellowish tan.

Subterranean Termites

These termites are the most commonly found in households and are also the most destructive. They form large colonies underground and create mud tubes to gain access to food sources. Subterranean termites can look cream-coloured, brown, or black in appearance.

“Do I Have A Termite Infestation?”

Termites may be tiny, but they are a big deal. Usually, homeowners discover their termites once the little pests have already chewed through every one of their precious furniture, having already nested in their home for years and incurred thousands of dollars worth of damage. 

It’s always better to find out early on if you have termites lurking in your home instead of waiting for them to ruin the interior of your house. If you notice these signs in your home, it’s time to call a Sydney termite pest control company:

• Blisters in wood flooring
• Hollowed or damaged wood
• Mud tubes
• Mounds or nests in trees
• Maze-like patterns in furniture or floorboards

Termites Are Not Your Pets

Once you’ve found termites living in your home, don’t let them be! Termites are not your pets; you are not supposed to live with them. People living with termites can develop an allergic reaction or an asthma attack as well. Leaving them be can also cost you a lot of money in the future because of all the damage that they will cause. Given all that, it’s better to get rid of the termites as soon as you can!

Conclusion

Don’t wait for things to get worse. Signs of termite infestations only become visible after they have invaded your home for months or years. Prevent termite infestations by scheduling an appointment with a company that specialises in termite inspections in Sydney. 

Leave it to CROSSFIRE Pest Pest Solutions to take care of your pest problems! We offer professional pest solutions for every problem, providing unbeatable service to our customers every step of the way. We take our responsibility seriously and will work our hardest to keep your home and business pest-free. Visit our website to request an inspection!

There is nothing more alarming than experiencing a termite infestation at home. Not only do these critters cause structural damages and decrease your property’s value, but they can also lead to insurance challenges and even potential legal expenses. This is why, as soon as you notice some signs of their presence, you must act promptly before they grow and multiply and cause extensive damages to your house!

In this article, we will share five common signs that indicate you have termite infestation at home:

1. Flying termites

This one is straightforward as all it takes is to look at those flying critters. It’s a good thing that these swarmers or alates are flying termites because you can spot them easily. In most cases, you will notice them swarming at night as they are often attracted to lights. If you see a lot of them regularly, the chances are that your house already has an infestation.

2. White-looking ants

If you don’t notice flying termites, you may probably be seeing white-looking ants at home. The problem is that you often mistake them for mere ants, which is why you take them for granted. While both ants and termites look the same in terms of shape, size, and behaviour, the major differences lie in their colours, waste section, and wings. Termites are lighter in colour than ants, and their waste sections are thicker than that of ants. Finally, they have wings while the ants don’t.

3. Droppings

Another sign to pay attention to is their dropping—called frass. This is particularly true for drywood termites, where they push their droppings out of small holes and don’t use these faeces to build tunnels. If you see small, dark marks and a powdery substance around a certain spot, it’s more likely that they infested that particular area.

Here at CROSSFIRE Pest Solutions, we provide professional pest solutions that include free inspection, consultation, and actual pest treatment. If you’re looking for effective termite control in Sydney, leave the job to our experts!

4. Clicking and hollow sounds

When it comes to checking for termite infestation, you may have to heavily rely on sounds. First, if you hear quiet clicking sounds coming from your walls, you probably have termite soldiers. These termites do often bang their heads against the wood to alarm other termites of potential danger. Second, if you try to knock on certain wood and it leaves a hollow sound, the termites might have eaten up your timber internally. In such cases, be sure to have termite control before they further escalate to extensive damages!

5. Tight doors and windows

Don’t forget to inspect your doors and windows as they may indicate signs of termite infestation as well. If you have tight windows and warped doors, these critters might have already eaten and tunnelled through the frames. As a result, the moisture they’ve produced causes the timber to warp, making it hard for you to close or open your windows or doors.

Conclusion

At this point, we’ve covered the five signs of a termite infestation—flying termites, white-looking ants, droppings, clicking and hollow sounds, as well as tight doors and windows. As soon as you notice one or some of these signs, get in touch with pest control experts. These professionals will be able to treat your home and eliminate the termites, ensuring that they won’t ever come back!

Are you looking to get rid of termite infestation at home? You’ve come to the right place, as we’re specialised in both commercial and residential pest control service in Croydon, NSW. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation!

Rodents have been notorious pests throughout human history. They can cause damage to your property and contaminate your food. If left untreated, they can even spread sickness to the residents of your home.

Australia has over 60 indigenous rodent species along with a few introduced species. They eat different types of food, and they have rapid breeding cycles, which is why they thrive so easily in most environments. They can wiggle through gaps as small as a 50-cent coin, which is why it’s so difficult to spot and catch them.

Common Rat Species in Australia

1. House Mouse – These rats live very closely with humans and can eat almost any type of food. They grow up to 10 cm in length, with tails that are as long as their body. They typically have grey fur and a pointed nose with big, hairy ears.

2. Black Rat – Also known as roof rats, black rats are around 20 cm long and can be identified by their spindle-like droppings. They are excellent climbers and can be found nesting in rooftops and small gaps inside buildings. They have a year-long lifespan, reaching maturity by the 4^th month, with females breeding up to six times.

3. Brown Rat – Also known as Norway rats, they can get up to 30 cm long and weigh up to 0.5 kilos. They have short ears, a blunt nose and can be identified through their banana-like droppings. They come out at night, and they have great swimming and digging skills.

Common Signs of a Rodent Infestation

Droppings – Feces are one of the first signs of a rodent infestation. Fresh rodent droppings remain shiny for 2 to 3 days, and they become dull and hard over time. Mouse droppings are 3 to 5 mm long, and rat droppings 13 to 18 mm. If you find droppings in your pantry shelves, cupboards, or inside wall cavities, it’s time to think about mouse extermination.

Gnawing – Rats and mice gnaw on plastic or wood to keep their incisors down. Chewed-up storage containers or bags of food are very distinct signs that you have an infestation. They can even gnaw on your electrical wires and cables, adding to potential damage.

Nests – Rodents build nests using shredded paper, cardboard, and rags. They prefer hidden, warm areas close to food areas.

Scurrying sounds – Mice and rats make noise no matter what they do. When everything in your house is still, and you can hear small scurrying sounds in the walls or floors, you almost certainly have a rodent infestation.

Why Rodent Pest Control Is Important

Rodent removal is vital because there are many serious health risks related to mouse and rat infestations. If your food is contaminated with rodent droppings, it can cause mouse typhoid or meningitis. Direct contact with rat droppings can lead to leptospirosis.

Mice carry ticks that can cause Lyme disease as well as fleas that can cause Murine Typhus fever. Rodents also carry common allergens that can trigger asthma.

Mice and rats can cause a lot of damage to your home—they are indiscriminate with the objects they gnaw on, and you may lose valuable property if mice can find their way to it. Chewed-up electrical wiring can cause your appliances to malfunction, or worst-case scenario, a spark that leads to a house fire.

Conclusion

There are many indigenous rat species found in Australia, and one or more of them may find their way inside your home, where they can cause serious health issues and property damage. A rodent problem is challenging to do away with on your own. The most effective way to get rid of rats and mice is to hire professional pest control services.

If you need pest control services in Sydney, CROSSFIRE Pest Solutions is here for you. We provide our clients with an all-around superb and hassle-free experience. We offer you appropriate solutions that won’t break the bank and are safe for the area and the environment. Contact us for a free consultation today! 

Termite infestations, if left untreated, can cause severe damage to any property. The worse thing is to realise that your home insurance doesn’t cover the structural damage caused by termites! In order to prevent your home from being ravaged by these pests, it’s best to call a pest exterminator to deal with the problem.

Most pest control companies start the treatment by first identifying the termite species that decided to wreak havoc on your property. Out of the 258 known termite species in Australia, there are a few wood-damaging species that can cause many problems to urban areas. It’s best to know which of these species can be commonly found in homes so you can call your pest exterminator to take care of it.

Coptotermes Acinaciformis

The most common of all the termite species in Australia is the Coptotermes Acinaciformis. It is said to be responsible for more than two-thirds of all the termite damage in the country. Acinaciformis is a subterranean termite species that is also the most widespread of all the timber pests.

Coptotermes Acinaciformis prefer to nest in dark and damp spaces beneath walls and buildings. They also thrive in trees, stumps, and even fallen timber near houses. Soldiers are commonly described to have pear-shaped heads, and can typically grow around 7mm long. This particular type is considered Australia’s most destructive pest because of their ability to overrun any living space without being detected.

Dampwood Termites

This particular type of termite loves to invade decaying pieces of wood that have been exposed to a lot of moisture. If you have any timber lying around near your house, a Dampwood termite will likely build a nest there. They can live inside decayed wood for years, where they build large open spaces for them to multiply. 

If your house or building is reported to have moisture problems, it’s best to have an exterminator check if some Dampwood termites have decided to settle in them.

Drywood Termites

This species prefers hardwood and softwood like those commonly found in furniture. Unlike the rampant Acinaciformis, Drywood termites live in colonies with fewer than 1000 members. Sometimes, a single piece of wood can house several small colonies coexisting together, which explains why they are often called social insects.

Nasutitermes Exitiosus

The Nasutitermes Exitiosus is another example of a subterranean termite with a pointed head and a dark brown colour. They build nests near Eucalyptus gum trees and are more commonly found in the area of New South Wales and Canberra.

Like most subterranean species, the Nasutitermes Exitiosus undergo incomplete metamorphosis. While other species of termites have life cycles that include a larval and pupal stage, subterranean termites only undergo three stages—egg, nymph, and adult. The nymphs are the ones to go on and become soldiers and workers within the general colony.

Mastotermes Darwiniensis

Also known as the Giant Northern termite, the Mastotermes Darwiniensis has a distinct reddish-brown head that is both large and rounded. Their abdomen structure is uncannily familiar to cockroaches.

Giant Northern termite colonies are quite small if left to natural conditions. However, if given an abundant supply of water and a good food source, their populations can become quite massive, numbering in millions. They’re quite potent to the point of becoming a major agricultural pest. Farming in Northern Australia has become virtually impossible because of the presence of this pest.

Conclusion

Understanding termites, their behavioural patterns, habitats, and what they eat can actually help you keep an infestation under control. There are numerous species of termites in Australia alone, and some can become quite a destructive force if left untreated. It’s always best to seek the help of a pest exterminator to get rid of the ruinous pest that infects your home.

Enduring a termite infestation can only result in more destruction. Why not defend your territory and seek the help of a professional bug exterminator? CROSSFIRE Pest Solutions provides both commercial and home pest control services with maximum effectiveness. Our team takes pride in our 24-hour response time, and we’ll make sure to address your issue immediately! Contact us today for a free consultation!