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Why You Need Pest Control and How Much It Costs

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The most common household pests are some of the hardest to get rid of once they gain a foothold in your home. Many pests, such as cockroaches, mice and birds, are also well-known carriers of germs and diseases that are harmful to humans and need to be eradicated immediately.


For many homeowners the DIY method of pest control is often preferable, as baits and traps can be obtained cheaply from their local hardware store, but in truth they’re not always that effective.

You can end up spending much more on DIY products in the long run than it would cost for a single visit by an experienced pest technician. 

How much does pest control cost?

The cost of a pest control service depends on where in the country you live. In general, the cost ranges from $30 per hour to $60 per hour. As well as inspecting a property to determine the type of pest you have, a pest control service will take steps to eradicate, clean and future proof your house against further infestations.

For example, for rodent control you could be looking at around $250 - $300 for a full rodent removal service depending on the company you use, where you’re based and what type of elimination method you use. But this is money well spent when you consider rodents can do major damage to your home by gnawing through walls and electrical wires, not to mention decimating the dry food in your pantry.

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Even though it may be tempting to buy a couple of cheap mouse traps from Bunnings and do the job yourself, remember you don’t have the expertise of a pest technician who is well versed in rodent behaviour. Rodents are cunning and are not easily caught. To catch one or two rodents you’ll need at least six mouse traps, and you’ll need to know where and how to place them for best effectiveness.

If you have an infestation then Bunnings may need to order you a lot more traps!

Why are some pests better eradicated with pest control?

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Rodents are just one example of pests that are hard to get rid of but there are plenty more. Termites for example, are the number one threat to Australian homes and need to be eradicated early on before they do major structural damage to drywall, plaster, hardwood floors and more. It’s estimated that 1 in 3 homes in Australia has termites.

This is one pest you need to call in the experts for, especially if you live in a high-risk termite area like Queensland. An annual pest inspection that costs around $200 is nothing compared to the damage that termites can inflict on your home costing you thousands of dollars in repairs.

Most insurance companies won’t cover termite damage either in their policies as it’s such a widespread problem.

How neglecting pest control can affect your resale value

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A home with pest issues is a lot more difficult to sell, so it’s important you keep on top of pest control as part of your home maintenance, not just when you’re ready to sell.

By then it could be far too late.

A potential buyer will bring in their own pest inspector so if you’ve had previous problems with pests such as termites, rodents or possums, then the damage caused by these will most likely turn up on their report. A single termite infestation could reduce the value of your home by as much as 25% and put off around two thirds of potential buyers.

Is it really worth the risk of your resale value to try and keep on top of pest control yourself?

The best way to deal with pest control

Enlist the help of a professional pest control service who has the expertise, training and licences to identify and get rid of pests safely and hygienically from your home. Schedule regular pest inspections either annually, or 6 monthly if you’re in a high risk area.

Looking for pest control services in your area? Head to Bricks+Agent and list your job to receive quotes from local specialists. Remember, pest control depends on a number of factors, so it’s a good idea to get quotes from three or four companies to compare what they offer. Once you’re ready to connect you can simply enlist the services of the company you choose.

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Topics: Property Services, Property Advice

Rafael Niesten

Written by Rafael Niesten

In his early 20s, Perth local Rafael Niesten, won a scholarship to study in Canada, with that came the opportunity to volunteer at a local radio station. That spawned his entrepreneurial streak, returning to Perth in 2001 he set up community radio Groove FM. More by luck than design, they became successful, too successful as they took a significant chunk of the Perth Market. This sent up the red flag with his commercial competitors who saw to it that he came before the Australian Broadcasting Authority and on technicalities such as the number of volunteers he was forced to move on. He received the citizen of the year award for Western Australia (youth) and was a finalist in the Australian of the year awards (Youth). Falling on his sword he turned to running small and large scale events, all the while buying, renovating and selling properties. Buying and selling land and renovated houses provided a grounding in the property industry. He founded a cloud based medical grade voice recognition company, followed by co founding the first true cloud application for private practice in the health sector. He successfully exited these ventures at the end of 2016 and began building Bricks+Agent.

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