Pests We Treat
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are one of the common pests found in homes and buildings. They are flat insects, which enable them to get into very narrow gaps and crevices. They are brown in colour, and have two antennae. Many people are allergic to cockroaches, their caste-off skins and their droppings. Some allergic reactions include skin rash, watery eyes and wheezing. Infestations can result in more of a health risk to children, although adults are also affected. Cockroach infestations can also result in cases of food poisoning. Our pest control treatments involve the use of a variety of methods to ensure your cockroach problem is sorted out – once and for all.
Rodents (Rats & Mice)
There are three primary rodent species common to homes and properties in general. These are the Norway rat, the Black rat or Roof Rat, and the House Mouse. Rodents are mostly nocturnal, but if the circumstances are right, they will become active during daytime also. A number of factors indicate the presence of rodents; droppings, odor, urine stains, and visible damage caused from their gnawing activity. Over thirty-five different diseases are on record as being caused by rodent urine alone. Rats most often nest in the roof of a house or garage or the garden, so this is where the main focus is when it comes to baiting. Mice, on the other hand, are mostly found in the house (such as the kitchen or specific cupboards in the house). The focus then switches to baiting the house with mouse boxes.
Termites (White Ants)
Commonly known as “white ants”, even though they are not closely related to the ant family. Many people confuse termites with ants, but there are a number of pointers that may clue you in as to whether you have a termite infestation or an ant infestation:
- Termites feed on plant tissue, including on wood, leaves and grasses. Some species can cause extensive damage to buildings, lawns, crops and trees through their feeding and nesting habits. Ants, on the other hand, do not feed off wood. At times they may live in decaying or damp wood, but look closely to see if the wood is being eaten and destroyed (termites) or is simply being used for shelter (ants).
- Another clue you may have a termite infestation is if you see a small pile of wings. Termites lose their wings as they dry, and these wings can often be seen below a window, near a door or by a light fixture.
- Termites can be seen as white or clear, while ants are black in colour.
- Termites are susceptible to light and operate under a passage of soil, while ants can be seen running around, even in sunlight.
If you suspect you have a termite infestation, contact us today for an inspection of your premises and a quotation to have your property treated. Treatments come with 5 year guarantee*
Ants
Some people confuse ants with termites, but since the treatment for each of these is quite different, it is important to correctly identify the correct species. There are over eleven species of ants commonly found in homes. Ants can be a pest, and may be difficult to eradicate. Some ants infest edible foods, others sting, and some carry disease-causing organisms. Therefore, ants can pose a health risk.
Pigeons
Pigeons can be destructive, and pose a severe health risk due to their droppings and nesting materials. We offer a pigeon eradication program.
Flies
There are many different species of flies, but the five most commonly found are: the house fly, flesh fly, fruit fly, blow fly, and the drain fly. They are recognised by their constant, annoying presence. Flies also cause sanitation concerns, as they leave excrement wherever they land. Flies are also known for their ability to transmit various diseases.
Mosquitoes
Three species are common in South Africa, the Anopheles (malaria mosquito), Culex (common house mosquito), and Aedes (yellow fever mosquito). Mosquitoes cause painful, itchy, bites, resulting in a number of diseases being transmitted.
Fleas
The Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) is the most common species encountered. This species feeds on the blood of household pets (dogs and cats), as well as that of humans, as well as rodents. Fleas do not have wings, and are small, oval-shaped insects.
Ticks
Ticks are classified as Arachnids (spiders), and are found inside homes, especially when dogs are present. They are dark brown insects, with a shield-shaped cover, but turn dark grey and expand after feeding. Female ticks lay thousands of eggs, under furniture, or in carpeting. The Brown dog tick feeds primarily on dogs, but there are species feed on and transmit diseases to humans. Some diseases transmitted by ticks are human relapsing fever, African swine fever, paralysis, tick bite fever and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.
Bed Bugs
There are a variety of species of bed bugs. Adults are over 6mm long, oval in shape, and are reddish brown in colour. They can be detected by their bites, also by the odor they omit, or blood-spots they leave on one’s bed. They usually feed on the host at night.
Lice
Lice have claw-like legs that help them cling on to hair follicles. They can live on the hair of one’s head, or other areas of the body. Lice are also called nits. They feed on blood, and are dependent on the host for body heat.
*Kurt’s Pest Control uses innovative brand new technology that improves the level of accuracy to detect termites. The new TDS-II (Termite Detection System) uses infrared optics that assist in detecting the tiny amounts of gases emitted by termites and bed bugs. Its super combination of sensitivity and speed provides an extremely accurate detection capability for both dry-wood and subterranean termites. A range from as little as 2 or 3 termites to as many as full colonies can be detected using this high-class technology, assisting us in offering our clients the most effective and accurate termite treatments in the country.