How Often Do I Need Pest Control

How Frequently Should Pest Control Be Done?

Knowing how often you need professional pest control services is important for keeping your home or business free of unwanted pests. The frequency of treatments depends on several key factors that can vary significantly between properties. 

Understanding what determines treatment frequency will help you make informed decisions on scheduling pest management options to get the maximum benefit.

Factors That Affect Treatment Frequency

1. Location of the Property

Where your property is located geographically can impact how frequent pest control treatments are needed. Properties in warmer climates or heavily wooded areas tend to require more service. Access to exterior food and water sources also plays a role.

2. Age of the Property

Older homes tend to have more gaps, cracks and entry points that allow easier access for common pests. New construction may need less frequent treatment than a 60 year old house with aging weather seals.

3. Type of Pest

How may times you need service depends partly on what pest type you’re dealing with. Cockroaches may need more ongoing treatments compared to occasional spiders or ants. These creatures reproductive and survival rates also vary.

4. Size of Infestation

If you have a heavy, widespread established pest infestation when you first call for treatment, you likely need service fequently until the problem is eliminated. Catching issues early before they multiply reduces overall frequency.

5. Method Used

The type of products and chemicals used, rate of application and service protocol recommended can impact duration of control and need for retreatment. Using advanced gel baits and traps for ant control may give longer relief between services compared to basic spraying.

How Often Should Pest Control Be Done

Ants

• For example, an initial service with follow-up in 3 months is recommended due to hatching cycles.
• Gel baits can provide control for a range of 3-6 months depending on species and conditions.
• Ongoing preventative exterior treatments are ideal 2-3 times per year as part of regular maintenance.

Cockroaches

• Initial treatment with follow-up every 1-2 months while the active infestation persists
• It is a good idea to reduce treatments to every 3 months once controlled.
• Gel baits and IGRs provide the longest protection and are effective solutions against roaches.

Rodents

• Every 2-4 weeks while active signs of mice or rats are present
• Reduce to monthly preventative treatments once under control as part of ongoing pest management.

Spiders

• 2-3 exterior treatments during peak activity seasons to prevent spider entry.
• Ongoing monthly/bimonthly services ideal for web-building spiders.

Fleas

• 2-3 treatments every 2 weeks apart until controlled
• Monthly service recommended during warmer months, especially if you have pets or other animals.
• Also treat pets with vet-recommended prevention.

Bed Bugs

• Consider various treatment options, with 2 treatments minimum 2 weeks apart once activity is detected.
• Another follow-up in 30 days based on inspection results and ongoing monitoring.
• Monitor closely 6-12 months after to catch reintroductions.

Termites

• Minimum annual termite inspections are highly recommended to ensure the structural safety of your property.
• More frequent chemical soil treatments if active signs near structure.
• Install termite baiting system for ongoing protection of termite infestation.

Bees & Wasps

• Contact a professional exterminator as needed for nest removal until activity decreases with winter temperatures.
• Treat tunnels and exterior entry points 1-2 times during peak seasons.

Silverfish

• Initial treatment followed by another in 2-3 weeks
• Reduce frequency to bimonthly

Mosquitoes

• Schedule monthly treatments during warmer months and consider physical barriers like screens.
• Reduce frequency in hot dry periods with less activity.

Birds

• Physical exclusion installation followed by bimonthly pest inspection in your area.

Conclusion

There is no one-size-fits-all rule for how often you need professional service at your home and business in Australia. It depends on several things we talked about in this article. The best way is to check for pest activity and adjust when you get service based on what’s going on at your specific environment. Work with your professional pest control company and let them know what you see between visits. It helps make sure your treatments happen when they should. Doing regular preventive measures means you shouldn’t need emergency treatment if seasonal bugs or insects spread out of control without you noticing.

Contact A Reliable Pest Controller

If you have any questions about service frequency needed for your situation or want a program customised to match your conditions, contact our experts at Pro Pest Control in Adelaide today. Our pest control experts have over 10 years of experience handling all types of pests and are happy to advise how many treatments are recommended. We will serve you and your family well.

Article written by Damien Michaelson.