Latest articles
Who Pays for Pest Control When Renting in Queensland?
Tenant or landlord? Who usually pays for pest control in a Queensland rental, including end of lease treatments and pets. Plain-English guide.
How Do I Know If I Have Termites?
How to tell if you have termites: mud leads, hollow timber, frass and other signs Queensland homeowners miss. What to do next, and what not to do.
Rats in the Roof: How to Get Rid of Them for Good
Scratching in the ceiling at night? How to confirm rats, where they get in, what works and what doesn't, and when to call a professional.
How to Identify Fire Ants and Their Nests
How to tell fire ants from other ants, what their nests look like, and what to do if you find them in your yard in Logan or the Scenic Rim.
How Often Should You Get a Termite Inspection?
Most Queensland homes need a termite inspection at least once a year, some more often. Here is how to work out the right timing for your property.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Brisbane Homes
German or Australian cockroaches? How to tell them apart, what attracts them, home fixes that help and when you need a professional treatment.
Termites
Termites do their damage out of sight, so most of my termite advice is about spotting the early signs and checking often enough to catch them. Start with how to tell if you have termites, which covers mud leads, hollow timber, blistered paint and what to do (and not do) if you find live termites. Then read how often you should get a termite inspection, which explains the AS 3660 recommendation and why some homes need checking more often than once a year.
Fire ants
Much of South East Queensland sits inside the fire ant biosecurity zone, and the ants are easy to confuse with ordinary brown ants. My guide on how to identify fire ants and their nests walks through what the ants and mounds look like, and how to report a suspected nest to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.
Rodents and cockroaches
Rats and cockroaches turn up in new and old homes alike. If you're hearing scratching at night, read how to get rid of rats in the roof, which covers finding entry points as well as baiting. For cockroaches, how to get rid of cockroaches in Brisbane homes explains why German cockroaches in the kitchen need a different approach to the big ones that wander in from the garden.
Renting and property
Tenants, landlords and property managers often disagree about pest control at the end of a lease. Who pays for pest control when renting in Queensland sets out what the Residential Tenancies Authority says, including the rules for pets.
Questions about the blog
Can I ask a question that isn't covered here?
Yes. Call or text me on 0412 205 586. If it comes up often, it may end up as a guide.
Is this pest control advice specific to Brisbane and Logan?
Yes. It's written for South East Queensland conditions, including our humidity, local termite activity and the fire ant zone. Some of it won't apply elsewhere in Australia.
Should I try DIY before calling a pest controller?
For a few ants or the odd cockroach, often yes, and the guides say what's worth trying. For termites, fire ants and rats in the roof, get a professional to look first.
More pest control tips for Queensland homes
I'll keep adding pest control tips for Queensland homes as new questions come up on jobs. If a guide has confirmed what you suspected, I can come and look. Call me on 0412 205 586 or request a quote online.