Pest control isn’t all Doom and gloom (see what we did there?) Our experts have seen (and heard) it all – from disappearing bats to things that go bump in the night. Over the years, we’ve fielded questions that range from the strange to the downright bizarre. Read on for the five weirdest
pest control questions we’ve ever been asked, along with our answers to these pesky conundrums.
1. “A bat flew into my house, and now I can’t find it! What do I do?”
Bats are notoriously shy, which explains why your unexpected house guest has seemingly gone AWOL. He (or she) has either found its way out, or is busy nesting in a dark place – most probably in your roof or under your eaves. It’s advisable to contact your local wildlife organisation, who will inspect your property to identify any nesting areas and potential entry points. While bats carry rabies and harbour ectoparasites, they are an important part of our eco system. Don’t forget that their fondness for feasting on mosquitos benefits you too. Bats are sensitive, and cannot be disturbed if they are nursing, which means that some expert help is crucial to ensure any bats are unharmed when removed from your home.
2. “I’ve heard that there’s been a recent resurgence of bed bugs. I’m a frequent traveller, and I’m petrified of being bitten, or even worse, bringing them home with me. How can I make sure that I’m bed bug free?”
Thanks to cheaper means of travel, bed bugs have become problematic – especially in hotels, hostels and student housing where there’s a high turnover of residents. Before checking into a hotel or B’nB, inspect your room for bed bugs (read our blog
over here for more info). Once you get home, inspect your clothing and luggage, and if you suspect you’ve brought a couple of parasitic passengers, wash and dry everything on high heat. For precautionary measures, take a bottle of tea tree oil with you. Bed bugs abhor the smell, so if you don’t mind the somewhat pungent smell of
au de Melaleuca alternifolia, spraying your luggage and clothing before and after travel may help to put your mind at ease.
3. “Upon waking, I noticed that a pair of socks that were on the bathroom floor had vanished. Even stranger, it looks like my cotton wool had been nibbled! We have cats, so I’m certain that if there was a rat or a mouse in the house they would have dealt with the thief a long time ago. What could be the cause?”
This sounds like an open-and-shut case of a
rodent infestation. Mice and rats will scurrage for supplies with which to line their nests. While cats are a great rodent deterrent, it’s not guaranteed that your felines will catch them. Mice and rats are incredibly agile, and can fit through tiny spaces, thanks to their soft skulls. Contact a
pest control specialist who’ll be able to inspect your home for any reclusive rodents, and advise you on the most effective way to remove them. In the meantime, head on over to
this blog to learn more about the
why’s and
how’s of rodent control.
4.“I have a cockroach infestation, but I’ve been told they’re very clean and more of a ‘nuisance pest’. Is this correct?”
I’m not sure where you got your information from, but cockroaches are anything but clean. Cockroaches carry a variety of diseases, including dysentery, salmonella, gastroenteritis and typhoid. Besides being transporters of germs and disease, cockroaches are extremely hardy, which makes it incredibly tricky to permanently eradicate them on your own. Contact your local
pest control service immediately (then,
read this).They’ll inspect your property and advise you on the best way to get rid of them.
5. “There’s a massive rain spider on my bedroom ceiling. Can you remove it?”
Rain spiders – while terrifyingly huge – are completely harmless. Feeding on mosquitoes and insects, these gargantuan arachnids are much more of a help than a hindrance. If the sight of Spidey is giving you night sweats, ask someone who’s not an arachnophobe to gently trap the spider in a jar and then transport it outside.
While these questions are funny, we know that dealing with pests isn’t.
Call us today to find out about our pest control solutions.
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