Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pest Control Safe? What about infants, children and pregnant Mums?
What happens if I have asthma or I’m allergic or sensitive to chemicals?
What about natural pest control?
Is pest control environmentally friendly?
Is pest control safe for pets?
Where do you treat for pests?
Do I need to empty my kitchen cupboards?
How long do I have to wait before I can go inside or outside?
My home is clean, why do I still have pests?
What should I do if I see a pest and don’t know what it is?
What should I do if I find termites at my property?
How often should I have pest control done?
What is your service warranty?
Why can’t I just do it myself?
Got a different question?
About Us
Is Pest Control Safe? What about infants, children and pregnant Mums?
Yes. Not all pest control treatments use pesticides and sprays. Depending on the pest and your circumstances, we can use methods that include physical changes to the environment and trapping. When we do use pesticides we select formulations and baits with the lowest toxicity available and apply these products where pests breed and live. This avoids unnecessary application of these products and minimises any impact to you, your family and your pets.
We recommend that children with allergies should not be exposed to pesticides and pregnant mums should avoid pesticides during their first trimester, this is the safest rule of thumb.
If you have any concerns, speak with your pest control technician before we commence work at your property. Your technician will address any concerns and use the most appropriate method for your situation and peace of mind.
What happens if I have asthma or I’m allergic or sensitive to chemicals?
The safety of you and your family and is our top priority. Depending on the pest, there may be a range of different techniques we can use to control pests. These include the placement of products in out of the way places, environmental corrections and non-chemical products.
If you or any member of your family suffers from asthma or is sensitive to chemicals, please lets us know and we will tailor a solution to suit your situation and needs.
What about natural pest control?
All pesticides have natural origins. The most commonly used are the pyrethroids, extracted from certain types of flowers. Today, we typically use man-made versions of these pesticides in the majority of our treatments.
Is pest control environmentally friendly?
At Amalgamated Pest Control we believe it’s our responsibility to help protect the environment while providing effective pest control services to our clients. We are an active member of the AEPMA, (Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association), who maintain a rigorous ‘Code of Ethics’ protecting health, food, property and the environment.
As part of our commitment, the products we use are scientifically tested and designed to have no adverse affects on your health and minimal impact on the natural environment.
Our Integrated Pest Management, (IPM), approach allows us to use an effective combination of treatment methods that avoid the unnecessary application of pest control products.
Is pest control safe for pets?
The safety of your pets is also our top priority.
Other pest management methods may also be recommended where suitable such as tick and flea treatments for pets, (contact your veterinarian for advice on the best product to use). Your technician can provide you with a checklist of what needs to be done before we treat your property. This includes the removal of pets from the property, (or at least from the vicinity of the treatment area). After the treatment your pest control technician will advise you when your property is safe for your pets to enter.
Where do you treat for pests?
This depends on the type of pest. We focus our treatments on the places that pests live, breed and hide. In the majority of cases, internal treatments are kept well away from contact with you. If you have any concerns, speak with your pest control technician before we commence work at your property. Your technician will address any concerns and modify the treatment for your situation and peace of mind.
Do I need to empty my kitchen cupboards
Typically the only thing we ask you to remove and cover are open food packets. Our techniques are carefully designed to target specific areas and we use special covers where required. If you have any concerns, speak with our team when you make your booking and we advise you on other alternatives to take for your peace of mind.
How long do I have to wait before I can go inside or outside?
This depends on the type of pests being treated. Generally you don’t have to leave the property and your pest control technician will advise you where and when you can enter. Simply, once any liquid treatment has dried it is safe to enter the area. When we apply external spray pesticides, your technician will ask you to close all windows and external doors. For internal treatments that involve applying a fine mist pesticide, such as flea treatments, you will be required to leave the property for a short period of time.
My home is clean, why do I still have pests?
Just like you, pests need food, shelter and water and are determined to find it no matter how clean your home is. Other pests such as bed bugs and fleas are hitchhikers and live in search of a blood meal that people and pets unwittingly provide.
Your pest control technician can advise you on effective steps you can take to minimise or eliminate pests from your property such as removing their food sources and sealing gaps in window frames and doors and trimming trees.
What should I do if I see a pest and don’t know what it is?
Some pests appear innocent while others are highly aggressive and can strike with nasty consequences. If you discover a pest and are unsure of what it is, visit pestsgone.com.au for more information on the most common pests found at your property.
It is best to stay away from certain pests and don’t spray them with chemicals as this can make them aggressive and may result in a painful sting or bite. If you or your family suffer a sting or bite, follow these steps:
- Wash with soap and water and apply an antiseptic if available.
- Apply a cold pack to reduce local pain and swelling.
- If the victim is a child or a person who is known to suffer allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, seek urgent medical attention – call 000.
If you are concerned that there may be an infestation at your property, for peace of mind, contact Amalgamated Pest Control to arrange an inspection.
What should I do if I find termites at my property?
The sight of termites at your property is often a worrying experience. If you notice termite activity at your property, follow these steps:
1. Don’t disturb them and if possible try to put things back the way they were.
2. Don’t panic – termites will not cause major damage overnight.
3. Don’t try to spray them with a pressure pack or use other chemicals on them. This will have a very limited affect, and can scare them off for a while making it a lot more difficult for an expert to help you assess the situation.
4. Contact Amalgamated Pest Control to arrange an inspection by qualified timber pest expert.
How often should I have pest control done?
We recommend that you have a pest inspection every 12 months. This will give you peace of mind that your property and your family are protected. If you notice a pest infestation at your property, contact your pest controller before it becomes an issue.
Prevention is always better than cure and typically damage caused by pests is not covered by your home insurance.
What is your service warranty?
We offer a 12 month warranty* on the following pests:
- Ants (internal).
- Cockroaches (internal).
- Spiders (external).
- Silverfish (internal).
In the unlikely event of pests returning to your home, we will return to treat the pest.
Guaranteed Gone – If they come back, so do we.
If you have a termite problem, your pest control technician will advise you on the warranties available for the treatment required.
*Can vary on regional location
Why can’t I just do it myself?
Pest control products purchased from hardware stores or supermarkets are typically expensive and have little or no effect on many different types of pests. Certain pests can only be affected by certain pesticides because of their biological make up.
Our treatments are designed to use products that have been carefully researched and extensively tested to be effective on particular pest types. We target pests using the right pesticide or natural solution, or modify the environment to disrupt the pests breeding.
Got a different question?
We would love to help you – it might be something that others would like to know as well.
Please submit your question here and we will respond as soon as possible.
About Us
Amalgamated Pest Control is Australia’s largest pest control company with over 89 years experience. Our pest control technicians are fully licensed, insured and accredited by the AEPMA, (Australian Environmental Pest Managers Assoc.). We operate under the Quality ISO 9001 certification. For more information visit amalpest.com.au or call 1300 883 556.
Disclaimer:
The information provide in this FAQ page is current and accurate at the time publishing this page. If you have any concerns regarding pest control, contact Amalgamated Pest Control on 1300 883 556. If you have any concerns relating to your health and intolerance to chemicals, please contact your health professional.
Published 27 April 2012 – 09:00 by © Amalgamated Pest Control Pty Ltd – All Rights Reserved – 2012.