Prevention is cheaper than treatment
Most pest infestations are preventable. The same conditions that make your home comfortable — warmth, food, water and shelter — also attract pests. By addressing these attractants, you can significantly reduce your pest risk without relying on chemical treatments. These ten steps cost little or nothing and make a real difference.
The 10 steps
- 1Eliminate standing water — fix leaking taps, clear blocked gutters, empty pot plant saucers. Pests need water more than food.
- 2Seal entry points — check where pipes and cables enter the house and seal gaps with silicone sealant or steel wool. Mice can squeeze through a 6mm gap.
- 3Keep the kitchen clean — wipe benches, sweep floors and wash dishes nightly. Crumbs and grease are a feast for ants and cockroaches.
- 4Manage rubbish properly — use bins with tight-fitting lids, rinse recyclables and keep the wheelie bin area clean.
- 5Store food in sealed containers — don't leave open packets in the pantry. This includes pet food.
- 6Reduce moisture — use exhaust fans in bathrooms and laundries, ensure subfloor ventilation is adequate, and fix any rising damp.
- 7Trim vegetation — keep branches and shrubs at least 30cm from exterior walls. Pests use plants as bridges to your home.
- 8Remove timber-on-ground — clear old stumps, sleepers, formwork and firewood from around the house. This is termite food.
- 9Check weep holes — ensure the gaps in brick veneer walls are clear of soil, mulch and vegetation. These are termite highways.
- 10Maintain flyscreens — repair tears promptly and ensure door seals are intact. Flies and mosquitoes exploit the smallest gaps.
When prevention isn't enough
Even the best-maintained homes can experience pest problems — particularly in the Hunter region's high termite risk zone. Prevention reduces risk but doesn't eliminate it. A general pest treatment from $165, combined with an annual termite inspection, provides the protection layer that prevention alone can't.