WHY SHOULD I USE VIP PEST CONTROL?
VIP Pest Control is a small, family-run business with over 40 years of industry experience and knowledge. Our professionals offer cost-effective pest control on all pests, excluding possums. We are accredited timber pest inspectors, fully insured and health department licenced. We offer friendly service and expert advice to provide you the best solution for all pest control situations.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE PEST CONTROL BUSINESS?
At VIP Pest Control, we have well over 40 years of experience treating pests throughout Melbourne and Victoria. We specialise in termite control using products such as Termidor and Premise and are experts at termite baiting systems such as Nemesis and Sentricon. We have the capabilities to deal with pest control issues of any size or scope.
DOES VIP PEST CONTROL OFFER AN INSPECTION SERVICE FOR PEOPLE PURCHASING PROPERTIES?
Yes, VIP Pest Control carry out thorough pre-purchase timber pest inspections, completed to the relevant and required Australian standards. If a building inspection is required, we can arrange an experienced and professional building inspector to attend at the same time, to reduce any inconvenience to the client.
DOES VIP PEST CONTROL OFFER TERMITE PROOFING SERVICES TO BUILDERS AND OWNER BUILDERS?
VIP Pest Control offers builders and owner builder’s a range of cost effective products to help termite proof your next project, and we are happy to discuss your needs and requirements over the phone. We install a range of products including the FMC Home Guard Range and Plasmite Termite Reticulation System. Ask us how!
WHY TERMITES ARE CALLED WHITE ANTS?
‘White Ants’ is an Australian slang word for termites. Biologically, these pests are most closely related to cockroaches.
DO MELBOURNE AND COUNTRY VICTORIA GENERALLY HAVE A HIGH INCIDENCE OF TERMITE INFESTATION?
Yes, the whole of Victoria including all suburbs of Melbourne could potentially experience an issue with termite infestation. Victoria is known to have many species of termites, including one of the most aggressive termite species in the world – Coptotermes Acinaciformis.
WHY SHOULD I HAVE AN INSPECTION PRIOR TO TREATMENT FOR TERMITES?
The inspection is a very important step in the process, and helps to identify the conditions that are conducive to termites. For instance, water leaks under the home, soil built up too high around concrete slabs and timber to soil contact including bearers in the sub floor. The inspection will also help to identify access problems which may exist, as well as the species of termite and will assist in ascertaining the best way to treat the issue.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO COMPLETE ANNUAL INSPECTIONS ONCE I HAVE HAD A TERMITE TREATMENT?
A chemical treatment zone is installed around the perimeter of the home and in the sub floor soil areas, for timber-floored homes. Termiticides such as Termidor are highly effective at controlling termites, however, the treatment zone can be compromised by tradesmen or household members disturbing this area through gardening, paving, renovations, etc.: Heavy rain events can flood through sub floors and there are many other reasons why annual inspections should be maintained. Australian Standards identifies the requirement for regular inspections following treatment.
Termites have the potential to effectively destroy the structural integrity of a home. More commonly, they may eat out door frames, skirting boards, roofing timbers and timber floors. The damage bills can amount to anything from a few hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP PREVENT TERMITES FROM ATTACKING MY HOME?
Relocate stored timber away from the home, including scrap timbers left in the sub floor areas during the construction of a home. Repairing defective guttering and down pipes is also vital, as these can become a source of extra moisture in which termites thrive. Hot water and air conditioning over flow pipes should also be redirected away from the home. Homes on concrete slabs should have the slab edge exposed for easy inspection. Garden timbers should not remain about the building. Importantly, regular inspections should be conducted and the implementation of an effective termite treatment zone should be considered as a long term solution.
HOW LONG WILL PEST TREAMENT SOLUTIONS LAST?
This depends greatly on weather conditions; however during treatment the overall numbers of the target pest are gradually vastly reduced. Depending on the specific situation, we offer a free service period on the home from three to six months following pest treatment. Remember, we are Pest Controllers, we control the target insect to a liveable level and we cannot guarantee complete extermination of every last insect on the property in every situation.
SHOULD I VACATE THE HOUSE DURING THE TREATMENT?
We use the safest insecticides available, but we always recommend vacating the premises for a few hours during the treatment.
WHAT TYPE OF WASPS ARE MAKING A NEST IN MY WALL?
In Melbourne, we mostly see issues with the European Wasp or English Wasp. These are aggressive wasps that can sting multiple times, and therefore it is important to control these.
I HAVE A BEE HIVE WHICH HAS ESTABLISHED ITSELF IN MY WALL CAVITY AND I DON’T WANT TO KILL THE BEES.
We always try to remove the pest in question in the most humane way possible, however, it is difficult to remove a bees from inside a wall cavity, and treatment using an insecticide is often required to complete the task properly.
WILL THE RATS DIE IN MY ROOF AFTER TREATMENT?
Sometimes this can happen, however, mostly the rodents live in burrows below ground and they will therefore often die outside the home. The rodenticide that we use will thin their blood and the rodents usually die within three to five days after consuming the bait.
Yes, we never place bait in any areas accessible to children or pets. We also employ the use of tamper-proof rodenticide bait stations.
WILL THIS GET RID OF THE RODENTS INDEFINITELY?
Rodent Baiting is the quickest and most effective way to reduce the rodent population. However, rats and mice live in families and the families are territorial. Once this family of rodents are removed, there is a possibility that other rodents may take over in the future.
I HAVE HEARD THAT RATS CAN DAMAGE THE PROPERTY, IS THIS TRUE?
Yes, rats can eat a wide variety of stored products and building materials in the home. They have a need to constantly gnaw so as to wear their teeth down. Rats sometimes are responsible for house fires as they can chew through electrical wiring and cause costly damage to the internal wiring of a home.