Pest Prevention Advice

This customer-facing guide shows simple, practical steps Brisbane households can take to reduce pests between professional services. Save or print this page and refer to it seasonally.

  1. Whole-Home Prevention Checklist
  2. Seasonal Maintenance (Brisbane Climate)
  3. Ants
  4. Cockroaches
  5. Spiders
  6. Rodents (Rats & Mice)
  7. Fleas
  8. Bed Bugs
  9. Mosquitoes
  10. Flies & Drain Flies
  11. Silverfish
  12. Pantry Moths & Clothes Moths
  13. Carpet Beetles
  14. Termites (White Ants)
  15. Wasps & Bees (Safety)
  16. Ticks
  17. When to Call Us
  18. Preparation Before Our Visit
  19. Aftercare Basics

1) Whole-Home Prevention Checklist

Area Do Avoid
Kitchen Use airtight containers; wipe benches & splashbacks nightly; empty bins frequently; clean under/behind fridge, oven & dishwasher; degrease rangehood filters; fix drips. Leaving pet bowls/dirty dishes overnight; storing grains in open packets; letting fridge drip trays & seals build up grime.
Pantry Decant flour/rice/pasta into sealed tubs; first-in/first-out rotation; inspect for webbing or moths; consider freezing new grains 72h. Keeping cardboard boxes long-term; mixing old & new stock without checking.
Bathrooms/Laundry Improve ventilation; repair leaks; run exhaust fans; clean floor/wall junctions; treat slow drains (bio-enzyme cleaners). Persistent damp, clutter on floors, leaving wet towels piled.
Bedrooms Reduce clutter under beds; encase mattresses (bed bug encasements if at risk); wash linen hot (≥60°C) periodically. Storing luggage under beds after travel without inspection.
Living Areas Vacuum skirtings and behind furniture; minimize food outside kitchen; store firewood off ground & away from house. Cardboard storage on floors; crumbs in sofas.
Outdoors Trim plants away from walls/rooflines; clear gutters; tip out standing water; elevate/bundle firewood; seal entry points; maintain door sweeps & screens. Mulch built up against walls; dense vegetation touching the house; standing water in pots/saucers.
Bins/Compost Keep lids shut; clean bins; place on hardstand; use animal-proof compost setups. Overflowing bins; food scraps exposed.
Garage/Roof Void Declutter; store items in sealed plastic tubs; fit weep hole covers (where appropriate); check weather seals. Open grain bags, bird seed on floor; long-term cardboard storage.

2) Seasonal Maintenance (Brisbane Climate)

Season Focus Actions
Summer / Wet Mozzies, ants, cockroaches, spiders surge Eliminate standing water; service screens; trim vegetation; wipe outdoor lights; seal food; schedule annual general pest service.
Autumn Rodents seek shelter; spiders webbing Seal gaps (mice fit through 6 mm, rats ~12 mm); secure bins; tidy storage; remove webs; check roof vents.
Winter Rodent proofing; cockroach sanitation Deep-clean kitchen cavities; degrease; inspect roof void; store food & pet feed airtight.
Spring Ant trails, termites active, flies Check gardens below slab edge; maintain weep holes; don’t stack mulch/timber against walls; service drains & compost.

3) Ants

Signs: Trails to food/water, sand mounds in pavers/lawns, winged “swarmers” in warm months.

  • Prevention: Wipe sugars/grease promptly; store sweets & pet food airtight; prune branches touching roof; seal entry points; fix leaks.
  • Important: If using ant baits, do not spray over trails; sprays repel and can split colonies. Place baits along trails; allow time for transfer back to nest.

4) Cockroaches

Types: German (small, kitchens), Australian/American (large, roof voids/externals).

  • Prevention: Nightly wipe-downs; degrease cooktops; clean under appliances; store food airtight; fix moisture issues; fit door sweeps.
  • Tip: Empty and clean fridge drip trays/seals; remove cardboard (egg cases hitchhike).

5) Spiders

  • Prevention: Reduce insects (their food) with good lighting discipline (use warmer LEDs, turn off unneeded outdoor lights), remove webs with a long-reach brush, keep vegetation off walls/fences.
  • Safety: Wear gloves when clearing webs. Redbacks commonly nest under furniture, meter boxes, and play equipment.

6) Rodents (Rats & Mice)

  • Proofing: Seal holes >= 6 mm (mice) / 12 mm (rats); fit door sweeps; mesh weep holes/vents as appropriate.
  • Hygiene: Secure bins/compost; don’t leave pet food out overnight; store bird seed & grains in sealed tubs off the floor.
  • Garden: Trim palm fronds/branches away from rooflines; elevate firewood; declutter.

7) Fleas

  • Pets: Keep pets on a vet-approved flea regimen; wash bedding hot; vacuum sleeping spots/skirting boards; dispose of vacuum contents outside.
  • Outdoors: Limit access to areas frequented by visiting animals; keep grass mown; reduce damp leaf litter.

8) Bed Bugs

  • Travel smart: Inspect hotel beds (seams, headboards); keep luggage off beds; hot-wash/dry clothes after trips.
  • At home: Use mattress/ensemble encasements; reduce bedside clutter; vacuum seams & bed frames regularly.
  • Note: Bed bugs require professional treatment; DIY sprays often worsen spread. We’ll send a prep checklist before service.

9) Mosquitoes

  • Remove standing water: Gutters, pot saucers, buckets, toys, tarps; change pet water daily.
  • Screens & fans: Maintain window/door screens; use outdoor fans to disrupt flight paths in entertaining areas.
  • Garden: Thin dense vegetation; keep lawns trimmed.

10) Flies & Drain Flies

  • House flies: Keep bins shut/clean; cover food/fruit; clean compost caddies; install/maintain screens.
  • Drain flies: Scrub gelatinous film inside drains; use bio-enzyme cleaner; run hot water after cleaning.

11) Silverfish

  • Reduce humidity: Ventilate bathrooms/wardrobes; use dehumidifiers where needed.
  • Storage: Keep books/documents in sealed tubs; avoid long-term cardboard on floors; declutter linen cupboards.

12) Pantry Moths & Clothes Moths

  • Pantry: Airtight containers for grains/nuts; freeze new grains 72h; clean pantry shelves & corners; discard infested items.
  • Clothes: Store wool/silk cleaned and sealed; vacuum wardrobes/skirting; use cedar or moth traps as indicators.

13) Carpet Beetles

  • Housekeeping: Vacuum edges/skirtings, under furniture, and rugs; launder natural-fibre throws/cushions.
  • Sources: Remove old bird nests in roof voids; check window sills for adult beetles.

14) Termites (White Ants)

  • Moisture management: Fix leaks; maintain drainage; keep garden beds below slab edge; clear weep holes.
  • Timber & soil: Avoid timber-to-soil contact; keep mulch & firewood away from walls; use non-cellulose garden edging near house.
  • Inspections: Book professional termite inspections every 6–12 months in SEQ climates.
  • If you find activity: Do not disturb; do not spray. Cover exposed areas (e.g., tape/cardboard) and call us.

15) Wasps & Bees (Safety)

  • Do not DIY on ladders or with aggressive nests. Many stings occur during amateur removal.
  • Keep kids/pets away; note nest location and size; call a professional. We aim for safe removal or treatment depending on species and location.

16) Ticks

  • Keep lawns/edges trimmed; remove leaf litter; manage bandicoot attractants; treat pets as advised by your vet.
  • Wear long sleeves/repellent in bushy areas; check family and pets after outdoor activity.

17) When to Call Us

  • Persistent pest activity despite cleaning and basic prevention.
  • Termite signs (mud tubes, hollow timber) or suspected activity.
  • Rodent noises, droppings, gnaw marks, or pet food disappearing.
  • Bed bug bites/marks or confirmed specimens.
  • Large wasp nests, bee swarms, or any situation posing safety risk.

18) Preparation Before Our Visit

  • Clear access to skirtings, under sinks, and around appliances where possible.
  • Secure pets and note any allergies/sensitivities; provide gate/door codes and parking info.
  • Do any heavy cleaning (mopping, pressure-washing, painting) before treatment where practical.

19) Aftercare Basics

  • Allow treated surfaces to dry (about 1 hour) before kids/pets re-enter.
  • A short-term increase in pest activity for 1–2 weeks can be normal as pests encounter treatments.
  • Avoid mopping edges/skirtings for ~1 week to preserve residual protection.
  • For baited ants: Do not spray over baits; let them work back to the nest.
  • If activity persists beyond the settling period, contact us — we’re here to help.

 

This guide provides general prevention tips. For tailored advice or professional treatment, please contact Pro Pest Control Brisbane. We’re happy to help.