Whether you are a householder or represent a school, childcare centre or residential block, there is a chance you will require a pest controller.

A licensed pest controller is trained in a lot more than just spraying for spiders. To be licensed you must pass a TAFE standard course including detailed modules in pest identification, breeding habits and biology.

Our qualifications provide the knowledge and ability to use a range of methods and products safely to stop pest activity and reduce the potential of future infestations.

Generally, a yearly inspection for termites and other pests is the best way to find termites before they do a large amount of damage.

Depending on the type of pest and conditions regular treatments may be required.

Queens can lay thousands of eggs a day, so it is not unheard of to have well over 60,000 termites in a single colony in less than a year. A mature queen lives between 25 to 60 years, constantly laying new eggs to increase the size of her colony. So, in twenty-five years, the colony could grow to around 1.5 million termites.

When treating the outside of the home, especially when spraying for spiders etc, we apply a film of insecticide spray – usually Bi-Flex Aqua – against the exterior wall surfaces. The product dries within 10 – 15  minutes, so if it rains later that day it won’t affect the treatment.

Removing termites from your home can be a difficult task to complete by yourself. Purchasing chemicals and bug sprays can create an immediate change, however, this is just a temporary solution as you are only killing the feeding front and not stopping the colony, they will invariably return to your home or building usually in a new location over a few weeks or months. 

The termite control team at Afford Pest Control provide a comprehensive and long term solution to your termite infestation by looking at your property as a whole and developing effective and long term pest control solutions. First, our team will carry out a detailed termite inspection of both the interior and exterior of your property. We use specialised equipment to establish termite nests, feeding fronts and hidden termite workings , including:

• Moisture meters — Termites require a humid environment to survive and a moisture meter is helpful in tracking leaks from plumbing, water systems, guttering and air conditioning. A high reading on the meter signals that further investigation is required.

• Termatrac movement detection meters — Using radar sensor technology, these meters penetrate through buildings to locate and track termite activity.

• FLIR thermal imaging cameras — Incorporating infrared technology, these point-and-shoot cameras can detect termites before they are visually apparent.
• CO2 sensing meters — When timber rots it releases CO2, a scent that termites follow to find good nesting areas. These meters are useful for detecting rotting areas that have or will attract termites.

Using these tools, our team will inspect your outdoor and exterior areas, the subfloor and foundations of your home, the interiors of your property and roof voids and the top plates of your walls where accessible . Following this inspection, our team will develop an effective treatment plan to exterminate your infestation using baiting systems and effective chemical solutions. We will also install preventative termite barriers to your property to ensure long term protection of your property.

The short answer to whether you have to leave the house for pest control is no. Over the last decade, pest control providers have developed safe and efficient methods to treat your infestation. We do not use toxic or strong chemicals that require you to evacuate your home, instead, we incorporate safe solutions to provide long-lasting infestation protection solutions. Our pesticides are environmentally friendly and have been approved by the government and other safety regulatory bodies. At Affordable Pest Control, we’ve provided commercial and residential pest control services for Shoalhaven and Illawarra locals for the last 26 years.

A termite’s diet is mainly cellulose, which means that they feed on plant cells and vegetable fibres. Cellulose foods they enjoy include woods, leaves and grass. Termites are particularly attracted to soft and hardwoods that are either sound or decaying. They are drawn to more humid and damp areas, so if you notice that you have a leaking bathroom, it is likely that a termite nest may exist or eventually be attracted to the affected area. 

Regular termite inspections are the best way to ensure your property is protected. To prevent the arrival of termites, our Nowra and Shoalhaven pest control team can provide a preliminary inspection to identify any potential danger zones on your property. You can replace damp and rotting wood and put in place preventative measures like termite barriers to safeguard your home for the future.

In general, the more routine and frequent your pest inspections are, the more likely you are to prevent infestations before they become a problem. If you’ve never had a pest infestation in your home, we recommend an annual inspection by your Shoalhaven or Nowra pest control provider. After an infestation has been exterminated, it is important to book a follow-up inspection between 6 to 18 months after the extermination.