Millipedes are not the most desired house guest. Millipedes don't share your love for cleanliness and will ruin the decoration of nearly any space in your home. They're creepy, and they usually come in groups. What's worse is that they're not going to go away on their own. 
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Staying hidden in the soil during hot, dry weather, autumn rains will see the millipedes emerge in huge numbers, to feast on their favourite diet — leaf litter, fungi and decaying wood. While harmless, millipedes are unsightly and release a rather disgusting smell if squashed. Here are three tips to get rid of millipedes from your home.

Millipedes are attracted to damp, humid areas, like bathrooms and laundries. To get rid of the millipedes, you need to get rid of the moisture. If you have signs of millipedes in your basement, you really need to check the foundation and crawlspace for leaks or moisture. Make sure the gutters are clean and free of debris. Make sure the ground is not saturated with water. Check pumps and make sure they're working properly. 

You would be surprised how small a hole a millipede needs to get into your home. Sealing up the gaps is a straightforward way to keep them (and other pests) out of your home. 


The most common places you will find gaps is around doors. These are best sealed with weather stripping. These strips will not only keep millipedes away but will also reduce drafts and energy bills. 


The next place they can find away inside is via any gaps around pipes, electrical conduit, or other cables coming into the home. Make sure that these spaces are protected either with a flange or gaps are filled with a suitable sealant. 


Whilst you’re making you way around the home, make sure to check and repair any holes or tears in flyscreens and prevent stop spiders in their tracks.


Brick homes will often have wall vents and these are a favourite way for millipedes, and other pests, to gain access to your home. Cover the vents with a fine mesh to keep pests out but fresh air flowing in. 


Finally, don't carry millipedes inside unknowingly. Millipedes will often hide in letterboxes and get caught up when you collect the mail, can be carried in on furniture, or come in on wood for wood-burning stoves/fires. 


There is one additional way that you can prevent millipedes coming into your home, call MD Pest Control or book your general pest spray online. Having a regular pest spray will stop millipedes in their tracks before they set foot in your home. 

The white-tailed spider is most often seen as a spider that is dangerous and should not be touched. It is one of the most common spiders found in homes but there are many myths about them. In this blog we are going to look at 5 of the most common myths and the truths behind them to help you better understand this common spider.

 It's a wonder how these white-tailed spiders get their name. They're not white and they don't have tails. What's more, they're not all that aggressive. Sure, they can be if you're foolish enough to get too close. But they're mostly shy and will scurry away if you just leave them alone. That is unless you're another spider, and then watch out. White-tailed spiders actually eat other spiders including curtain-web spiders, daddy-long-legs, redback spiders, and black house spiders.

​This is not true.   I've seen this myth come up in movies and TV shows so many times and it always makes me laugh. I can't imagine how many people have seen a spider and jumped back, only to find that the spider was just sitting there. White-Tailed Spiders are not the type of spiders that will jump out of nowhere at you. They are not aggressive at all and they are more likely to run away from you than to attack. They are typically found on the ground and are very shy of humans. 

Many people believe that white-tailed spiders are the most common spider in Adelaide, South Australia. However, the truth is that they are not the most common spider in Adelaide. There are actually no data to back up this claim. The most common spiders in Adelaide are daddy-long-legs and black house spiders, which are found in almost every household and are the favourite snack of white-tip spiders. 
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It might feel as though white-tailed spiders are the most common, but their prey actually is. 

 Many people believe that white-tailed spiders can't be removed from your home, but this is not true. 

White-tailed spiders are not poisonous and can be relocated outside your home. They are also not aggressive and will only bite as a last resort. If you find a white-tailed spider in your home, you don't need to panic. You can remove it and take the necessary precautions to make sure it never comes back.

It's important to remember that white-tailed spiders prey on curtain-web spiders, daddy-long-legs, redback spiders, and black house spiders and while you continue to have these spiders inside your home; then you're likely to have white-tipped spiders. 

You can read more of our tips on how to keep spiders out of your home, but the easiest and most reliable way is to have a regular general house spray inside and outside your home.

We hope you have enjoyed our post about the 5 myths about white-tailed spiders and the truths behind them. It is important to be educated about the spiders that can be found around Adelaide and the Hills region, particularly the white-tailed spider. We hope that you have learnt more about these spiders and that you are able to avoid them and their prey when possible. If you have any more questions about spiders or any other pests, please feel free to call us or book online. We are always happy to help.

Termites are one of the most common pests in Australia. They can cause a lot of damage to your home and property. You may only think of termites when you see a tree die or a dirt pile form near your home. Perhaps you worry about termites when you you’re buying or selling a home. But what risk are termites when you’re renovating?

Termites are a huge risk when renovating. Not only is there the damage they cause that can lead to renovations, or damage to renovations, but once they are in your house, it is hard to get them out. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to reduce your termite risk.

One way is to not disturb the ground where termites are living. This means no digging or removing any part of the ground where termites are active or nesting. Unfortunately, termites can travel up to 100m from the nest, so you may not always be aware if ground works will disturb them.

​ I have been hearing a lot of chatter about earwigs lately. They are crawling all over the place, and people are getting scared. 

 Earwigs are a type of beetle. Earwigs have pincers that are used to grasp and hold prey. Earwigs are nocturnal and live in dark, moist, and damp places. Earwigs are not harmful to humans unless they are crushed. Earwigs are omnivorous, meaning they eat meat and plant matter.
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They have wings but can't fly. Earwigs are nocturnal. There are about 1,200 species of earwigs. Earwigs are not a danger to humans.

They are most active during summer and autumn months. Earwigs are actually really useful insects! They eat other insects (which actually can help keep insect populations down).

They are usually found in dark, damp places such as under rocks, logs, and leaves. They are most often found in gardens, but they are also found in many other places. They can be found in homes, office buildings, and even in cars or caravans that are parked outside. 
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As earwigs prefer to eat other insects, they are generally self-controlling and prefer to stay outside of the house. If earwigs become a larger problem, then a specialised pest control treatment is the best way to control an outbreak. 

 Earwigs live all over the world. They are one of the most common insects in many regions. They can be found in the United States, Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. Earwigs are most often found in warm and humid climates. , but they have also been found in Canadian tundra. 
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Earwigs are found in dark, moist areas such as under rocks, logs, and leaves. They are also found in cracks in the foundation of your home. 

​So what should you do if you find earwigs in your home? First, don’t panic. Earwigs are harmless and if you leave them alone they’ll leave you alone. So the best solution is often to do nothing. But if they do get to you, they’re not going to hurt you, so you’re safe. However, you and your family don’t really want to look at them every day and so it’s best to call a professional to get rid of them for you. If you want a quote for earwig control, please contact MD Pest Control anytime at 0407 614 220 or book online. Thank you for reading and we hope you found this blog post useful.

​ Termites are often called white ants, but they are actually a type of wingless, soft-bodied, social insects that feed on wood and other organic matter. Termites are usually no more than an inch long and can be found both outdoors and indoors. Termites can be identified by their long, slender, and curved antennae, which are about as long as their bodies.

Termites are social insects that live in colonies and are most active at night. They eat wood (cellulose) and can cause extensive structural damage to buildings, vehicles or items of furniture as they live, eat and build their nests inside them.

There are many different signs of termite infestation, and they are easy to spot. If you see any of the following signs, you may have a termite problem:
-Termites are flying around your home. 
-Bugs, such as ants and beetles, are crawling around, reacting to the termites' "alarm pheromone" secreted by injured termites.
-Termites are found in stored firewood or around your house's foundation.
-You notice an unusual number of dead, hollow-sided and tunnel-riddled branches on trees.
-You notice small piles of sawdust near the base of a tree. 
-You see termites in the hollowed-out entrance of the tree, usually on the trunk. side. 

Termites can consume wood, paper, and other organic material. Wood-destroying insects like termites may not always be visible in your home, but you can often see their damage.  Termites are a type of insect that eat wood. They are hard to see because they are so small, but they leave evidence of their presence in the form of "termite signs." 

They can cause a lot of damage to your home, but the signs of their presence are sometimes easy to miss. Termite signs can include piles of sawdust around your house, crumbling wood, and tunneling in your walls and floors or behind your baseboards.

​The brownish-red stains or small piles of sawdust that are left behind by termites are the most obvious sign of damage. These stains are often found on the exterior walls of your home, near windows and doors, and on the ceiling. The stains are actually a little mound of termite droppings. The droppings are left on the surface to dry and harden before being cleaned off or used to build homes for the termites. If you have these stains, you've got termites, and you should call your pest control company for an immediate inspection.

 Termites are a constant problem for homeowners and can be difficult to get rid of. Baiting stations are a great way to control termites because they are less invasive and more effective. 

I use the best baiting system in the world, the Exterra Termite Interception and Baiting System. The Exterra baiting system is a long term, chemical-free, family safe and environmentally responsible solution to existing and future termite issues. In fact, Exterra is so effective, we guarantee to resolve your termite issues. 

The stations can be placed in the ground, on the ground, or on the side of the house. Termites are attracted to the bait inside the station and will eat it, carrying it back to the nest - leaving your home alone. The poison inside the termite bait will then be spread to other termites in the nest. These stations are a great alternative to other treatments for termites such as fumigating or barriers. 

Termite baiting systems are only effective if they are reviewed and restocked annually, giving you year-round peace of mind. This is why we also offer a full service and 'take-over' service of existing termite baiting systems. 

A termite bait station system is a great proactive way to stop termites from infesting your home. We hope this blog was useful and has convinced you that a bait station system is a great investment for your home. If you are interested in learning more about our service, please contact MD Pest Control today by calling 0407614220. We’d be happy to answer any of your questions and set you up with a free quote.

 Rodents are known for being pesky and sneaky. Rats are no exception. In fact, rats are the world's leading rodents. They are found on every continent except for Antarctica. Did you know that rats can climb trees and swim? Did you know that rats are carriers of many diseases? Did you know that rats are often used in laboratory tests? Let's explore these facts with some rat trivia.

Rats are the most common rodents in the world. They are found in every country, on every continent, and on every island. Their population is estimated at between 200 and 500 million. They are found in the wild and in human settlements. They are omnivores and survive on a diet of plants, fruits, nuts.

There are about 2 dozen rat species around the world. They live in all sorts of climates and habitats. Rats are omnivores and have a varied diet. They are one of the few animals that can live in the desert and the Arctic. They are also one of the only animals that can live in the sewers.

Rats are born with a full set of teeth, which they use to chew through things. They are also born with a full set of whiskers, which they use to navigate their way around. Rats are born blind and deaf, but they can see and hear within the first two weeks of life.

The average rat can jump up to 30 centimetres high and can run at speeds of up to 5.4 kilometres per hour. Rats are also able to swim and can hold their breath for up to two minutes underwater.

Rats are actually very intelligent creatures. They can be trained to do things like find drugs, detect diseases, and sniff out bombs. One rat can find a scent that's less than one part per trillion. That's like finding a needle in a hayshed, not just a haystack. 

are notorious for chewing through electrical wires, fittings and insulation, and they can even cause fires. They destroy plants in the garden and eat the food inside homes. MD Pest Control has seen a few rat infestations in our time, and we've had great success in getting rid of them.

​If you have rats in your home, office, restaurant, or any building, MD Pest Control is here to help and can provide a tailored solution for your needs. Contact us now or book online. ​

So you’ve noticed that there are bare patches in your natural fibre rugs, carpets, or runners. Perhaps you’ve noticed damage to your leather lounge, jacket, or hide throw. Worse, you’ve noticed dying beetles on or near doors or windows inside your home. You could have carpet beetle needing treatment.

Carpet beetles are found throughout Australia and can handle lower humidity than clothes moths so are also found in the drier inland areas.

Carpet beetles can be a year round problem as the larvae take 9 months to develop into an adult, or 9 months of eating, with the adults appearing in Spring and early Summer.

The most common species is the Variegated Carpet Beetle. The eggs are .5 to one mm making them difficult to see. The larval stage lasts 9-months meaning they molt multiple times. The larvae are dark and hairy, making them look like hairy beetles. It is the larvae that damage carpets and rugs etc. Adults range in size up to half a centimetre and have a brown/black variegated pattern and are pollen eaters.

The larvae eat all manner of animal material, including wool, fur, silk, felt, feathers and leather. They do not eat synthetic materials unless it’s dirty with their food stuffs.
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Outdoors, carpet beetles are frequently found on flowers, tree bark and leaves, in the lawn where we then bring them inside.

Prevention is always easier than the cure. So the first thing is to prevent carpet beetles from coming into your home. You can deter carpet beetles by ensuring that you have properly fitting and maintained window and door screens. You can also make a habit of checking and cleaning any wood, flowers, leather items, rugs, and woollen items that you bring into your home. An external general pest spray is a handy barrier that prevents carpet beetle from crawling into your home.
 
Then next step is to ensure that you regularly clean your home, especially under/behind furniture, around crevices and skirting boards, and any cupboards or sets of drawers. Regular cleaning will remove any carpet beetle at any stage of their lifecycle. Regular internal general pest sprays are also a good way to treat carpet beetle before they take hold.
 
Finally, if you do notice damage done by carpet beetles, you will need to treat them to stop and infestation taking hold. While heat treatments can be effective against carpet beetle, an insecticide is a more effective treatment against all stages of carpet beetle.
 
No matter if you want to prevent or treat carpet beetle, MD Pest Control is here to help and can provide a tailored solution for your needs. Contact us now or book online. 

​Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite! Don’t confuse these little pests with fleas when you’re trying to control them in your home or business. 

Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that live on mattresses, box springs, and other furniture. They are flightless and instead crawl extremely quickly. The size of an apple seed, a bed bug survives off blood. Bed bugs live for between two and four months.

The most common way that your home becomes their home is by them attaching onto clothing or luggage that is moved from one infested area to a non-infested area. They then lay eggs and multiply quickly in their new host’s area.
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Other ways you can bring bed bugs into your home is on used furniture, from travelling, or from school or boarding homes. 

​Other than seeing the little things in the crevices and seams in mattresses or furniture, the two other ways you will know is:
- you will have small, red, itchy bite marks on you
- you will have small blood stains on the bed sheets from when you were bitten. 

Prevention is the best way to control bed bugs. Make sure you check beds in areas you know are prone to bed bugs. Clean and sanitise furniture when you bring it home.

If you’re unfortunate enough to bring bed bugs home; clean, clean, and clean some more. Vacuum large pieces of furniture, put bedding and clothes through a hot dryer cycle to kill egg/larvae/adult bed bugs.
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Call a professional pest controller to spray for bed bugs. With a bed bug living for between two and four months, you may find that you need multiple treatments, especially if the pest infestation is large making it harder to control. 

The cost of treating a home for bed bugs will vary on the number and size of the rooms being treated and the size of the infestation. It’s generally cheaper to treat a one bedroom unit for a small and new bed bug infestation than a five bedroom two-storey home that has been home to bed bugs for months or years.
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The best way to secure a price to rid your home of bed bugs is to contact the team at MD Pest Control for a quote. If you’d rather just be done with the bed bugs, then you can call or book a treatment online. 

There’s not much more that brings on fear in a family than the sight of a spider inside the home. So how do you keep spiders away permanently? We’re going to share some of our best tips to keep those spiders out of your home. 

You would be surprised how small a hole a spider needs to get into your home. Sealing up the gaps is a straightforward way to keep them (and other pests) out of your home.

The most common places you will find gaps is around doors. These are best sealed with weather stripping. These strips will not only keep spiders away but will also reduce drafts and energy bills.

The next place spiders can find away inside is via any gaps around pipes, electrical conduit, or other cables coming into the home. Make sure that these spaces are protected either with a flange or gaps are filled with a suitable sealant.

Whilst you’re making you way around the home, make sure to check and repair any holes or tears in flyscreens and prevent stop spiders in their tracks.
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Finally, brick homes will often have wall vents and these are a favourite way for spiders, and other pests, to gain access to your home. Cover the vents with a fine mesh to keep pests out but fresh air flowing in. 

In the end, a professional spider spray will provide you with a defensive barrier to keep spiders away. Make sure you have regular top ups to help keep the spiders away more permanently. You can book your treatment online or call us to book. ​

​If only it was just pets that brought fleas into the home. With people going away on holidays, for walks in the country or visits to the beach fleas are likely to hitch a ride and come home. It’s not just pets that carry fleas. So once you find them in your house, how do you control fleas so they are no longer a pest?

Flea pupae are protected in a cocoon during their development into adults and they can survive around in this state for quite some time without a host. The fleas only come out when they think that a new host has arrived by detecting movement, warmth and carbon dioxide.

While it’s most likely that the fleas in your home can’t use humans as hosts; if you do have a human flea in your home the lifecycle will complete and fleas will breed, potentially resulting in an infestation in your home.
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If the fleas do not see humans as hosts, they can’t take a blood meal from people and will eventually die off (as they need a blood meal to produce eggs). That said, it’s possible that your family might get repeatedly bitten until then.

foggers may be unable to reach. Choose an insecticide that kills adult fleas and an insect growth regulator, that kills the eggs, larvae, and pupae. People and pets shouldn’t come into contact with the spray until it has dried. Be sure to wear gloves when you apply the spray, and only spray when everyone is out of the house.

5. Call a professional. If all else fails or the infestation is too large or ongoing then you should contact a licensed pest controller to use commercial-grade pesticides. 

​If you have completed the first four steps above and still have fleas in your home, it’s time to call a professional. A single female flea can produce 40-50 eggs per day for up to 50 days.  Fleas can multiply quickly and hide well and you need to cut the cycle before it gets further out of control. 

​While you know you have fleas in the home when they bite, what you don’t know is how many eggs or larvae are around and therefore the potential number of adults coming.
 
Most of the time simply using over-the-counter products for controlling fleas will not resolve the root causes of the infestation. Professional pest control treatments will treat all stages of the flea lifecycle, stopping it in its tracks. 

There are a number of things that come into effect when pricing pest control treatments:

• Size of the property
• Type of property
• Size of the infestation
• Number of treatments needed
• Type of pest being treated

 
The best way to get a price for flea control is to contact us or book in.

Being part of the Jim’s group, we have access to Jim’s Pay Plan powered by OpenPay. This system gives you the ability to pay for your pest control service while you’re getting the benefits.

Michael can set up an account for you, on the spot, and depending on the value of the pest control service, you can have between four and 12 months to pay for your treatment.